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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Some time later two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then came there two women, <i>that were</i> harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now two women <i>who were</i> harlots came to the king, and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then two women who were harlots came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then two women who were harlots came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then two women who were harlots came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then there came two women that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />One day two women came to King Solomon, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A short time later two prostitutes came to the king and stood in front of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />One day two prostitutes came and presented themselves before King Solomon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Right about then, two prostitutes approached the king and requested an audience with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king, and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then came there two women, that were harlots, to the king, and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king, and stood before him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Then two women, harlots, come to the king, and they stand before him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> then come in do two women, harlots, unto the king, and stand before him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then will come two women, harlots, to the king, and they will stand before him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then there came two women that were harlots, to the king, and stood before him: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then two women harlots went to the king, and they stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Later, two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Later, two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then came there two women who were harlots to plead before King Solomon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Then two women harlots came to be judged before King Solomon.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Then there appeared two harlots before the king, and they stood before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/3-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=1297" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Solomon Judges Wisely</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/227.htm" title="227: ’āz (Adv) -- At that time. A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore.">At that time</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·ta·yim (Number-fd) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">two</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šîm (N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: zō·nō·wṯ (N-fp) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">prostitutes</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: tā·ḇō·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: wat·ta·‘ă·mō·ḏə·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">and stood</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3-11</a></span><br />The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Matthew 22:15-22</a></span><br />Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words. / They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. / So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-20.htm">Luke 20:20-26</a></span><br />So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. / “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. / Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Proverbs 31:9</a></span><br />Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-42.htm">Matthew 12:42</a></span><br />The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/9-8.htm">2 Chronicles 9:8</a></span><br />Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God. Because your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, He has made you king over them to carry out justice and righteousness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6-9</a></span><br />For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. / He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity, / to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2-4</a></span><br />The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, / but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/72-1.htm">Psalm 72:1-2</a></span><br />Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. / May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a></span><br />For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-14.htm">Proverbs 8:14-16</a></span><br />Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. / By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:19</a></span><br />Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-3.htm">Colossians 2:3</a></span><br />in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then came there two women, that were harlots, to the king, and stood before him.</p><p class="hdg">two women</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-29.htm">Leviticus 19:29</a></b></br> Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Deuteronomy 23:17</a></b></br> There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Joshua 2:1</a></b></br> And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Joshua 2:1</a></b></br> And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/11-1.htm">Judges 11:1</a></b></br> Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he <i>was</i> the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.</p><p class="hdg">stood.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/17-5.htm">Harlots</a> <a href="/judges/21-15.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm">Places</a> <a href="/revelation/17-5.htm">Prostitutes</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-2.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-15.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/22-38.htm">Harlots</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-25.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-11.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Prostitutes</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-27.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-28.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-2.htm">High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-10.htm">preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">Solomon's judgment makes him renowned</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>At that time</b><br>This phrase indicates a specific period in the narrative of Solomon's reign. It follows Solomon's request for wisdom from God, which is granted, setting the stage for the demonstration of his divinely-given discernment. The timing is crucial as it showcases the immediate application of Solomon's wisdom.<p><b>two prostitutes</b><br>The mention of prostitutes highlights the inclusivity of Solomon's justice system, where even those marginalized in society had access to the king. In ancient Israel, prostitution was often linked to economic necessity rather than moral failure. This context underscores the impartiality of Solomon's judgment, reflecting God's concern for justice for all, regardless of social status.<p><b>came to the king</b><br>Approaching the king directly was a privilege, indicating the seriousness of their case. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the king was the highest judicial authority. This access suggests Solomon's openness to hear cases personally, a practice that would later be institutionalized in the wisdom literature as a model for righteous leadership.<p><b>and stood before him</b><br>Standing before the king signifies a formal legal proceeding. In biblical times, standing was a posture of respect and readiness to present one's case. This setting emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the expectation of a fair hearing. It also foreshadows the wisdom Solomon would display, which would become renowned throughout Israel and beyond.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_solomon.htm">King Solomon</a></b><br>The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem. In this passage, he is approached by two women seeking his judgment.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/two_prostitutes.htm">Two Prostitutes</a></b><br>These women come to King Solomon with a dispute. Their profession is mentioned to highlight the impartiality and accessibility of Solomon's justice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_royal_court.htm">The Royal Court</a></b><br>The setting where Solomon hears the case. It signifies the place of judgment and authority in ancient Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_source_of_true_wisdom.htm">The Source of True Wisdom</a></b><br>Solomon's wisdom is a gift from God, reminding us that true wisdom comes from seeking God and His guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/impartial_justice.htm">Impartial Justice</a></b><br>Solomon's willingness to hear the case of two prostitutes demonstrates the importance of impartiality and justice for all, regardless of social status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_decision-making.htm">Discernment in Decision-Making</a></b><br>The account that follows (<a href="/1_kings/3-17.htm">1 Kings 3:17-28</a>) illustrates the need for discernment in resolving conflicts, a skill that can be developed through prayer and reliance on God's wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/approachability_of_god's_leaders.htm">Approachability of God’s Leaders</a></b><br>The accessibility of Solomon to the women reflects how leaders should be approachable and willing to serve all people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_wisdom_in_everyday_life.htm">God’s Wisdom in Everyday Life</a></b><br>We are encouraged to seek God's wisdom in our daily decisions, trusting that He will guide us in truth and justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_1_kings_3_16-28_a_legend_or_history.htm">Could the well-known judgment over the baby in 1 Kings 3:16–28 be a moralistic legend rather than a historical account? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_child's_real_mother.htm">Who is the true mother of the living child?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_events_in_elisha's_life.htm">What are the key events in Elisha's life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_solomon_solve_the_mothers'_dispute.htm">How did Solomon resolve the dispute between two mothers?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Then came there.</span>--The celebrated "judgment of Solomon," given here as a specimen of his wisdom, is simply an instance of intuitive sagacity, cutting the Gordian knot of hopeless difficulty by the appear to maternal instinct--an appeal which might, of course, fail, but which was, under the exceptional circumstances, the only appeal possible. It is in the knowledge how to risk failure rather than be reduced to impotence, and how to go straight to the heart of a difficulty when the slow, regular approaches of science are impossible, that we recognise what men call "a touch of genius," and what Scripture here calls the "wisdom of God."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then came there two women that were harlots</span> [The Jewish writers here, as in the case of Rahab (<a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Joshua 2:1</a>), would understand "hostess," "innkeeper" (<span class="hebrew">פונדקיתא</span>, not <span class="hebrew">פונדקן</span>, as Bahr, which = , <span class="greek">πανδοκεῖον</span>, "inn"). In support of which it is alleged that prostitutes never have children, or if they have are not solicitous about them. The meaning "hostess," however (as if from <span class="hebrew">זוּן</span>, to feed), is not to be entertained for a moment, but we may readily admit that these children, though born out of wedlock, were not necessarily the offspring of professed harlots, though the fact that their mothers dwelt together and alone (ver. 17) is certainly suspicious; and see Gesen. s.v. <span class="hebrew">זָנָה</span>. Grotius, from <a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Deuteronomy 23:17</a>, concludes that they must have been foreigners. But it is equally probable that the law was constantly violated] <span class="cmt_word">unto the king</span> [as supreme judge] <span class="cmt_word">and stood before him.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/3-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">At that time</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֣ז</span> <span class="translit">(’āz)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> </span><span class="str2">At that time, place, therefore</span><br /><br /><span class="word">two</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁתַּ֛יִם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ta·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prostitutes</span><br /><span class="heb">זֹנ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(zō·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2185.htm">Strong's 2185: </a> </span><span class="str2">Harlots</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּבֹ֗אנָה</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḇō·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and stood</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖דְנָה</span> <span class="translit">(wat·ta·‘ă·mō·ḏə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stand, in various relations</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before him.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 3:16 Then there came two women who were (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/3-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 3:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/3-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 3:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>