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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 3:23 Then the king replied, "This woman says, 'My son is alive and yours is dead,' but that woman says, 'No, your son is dead and mine is alive.'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/3-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/11_1Ki_03_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 3:23 - Solomon Judges Wisely" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the king replied, This woman says, 'My son is alive and yours is dead,' but that woman says, 'No, your son is dead and mine is alive.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_kings/3-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_kings/3-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_kings/">1 Kings</a> > <a href="/1_kings/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm" title="1 Kings 3:22">◄</a> 1 Kings 3:23 <a href="/1_kings/3-24.htm" title="1 Kings 3:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />The king said, &#8220This one says, &#8216My son is alive and your son is dead,&#8217 while that one says, &#8216No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the king said, “Let’s get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king replied, “This woman says, ‘My son is alive and yours is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead and mine is alive.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then said the king, The one saith, This <i>is</i> my son that liveth, and thy son <i>is</i> the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son <i>is</i> the dead, and my son <i>is</i> the living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the king said, “The one says, ‘This <i>is</i> my son, who lives, and your son <i>is</i> the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son <i>is</i> the dead one, and my son <i>is</i> the living one.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the king said, &#8220The one says, &#8216This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’ and the other says, &#8216No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said, “This woman says, ‘This is my son, the one who is alive, and your son is the dead one’; and the other woman says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the one who is alive.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The king replied, “This woman says, ‘This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The king replied, &#8220This woman says, &#8216This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,&#8217 but that woman says, &#8216No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />until finally he said, "Both of you say this live baby is yours. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The king said, "This one keeps saying, 'My son is alive-your son is dead,' and that one keeps saying, 'No! Your son is dead-my son is alive.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then King Solomon said, "Each of you claims that the living child is hers and that the dead child belongs to the other one." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The king said, "One of them claims, 'This living son is mine, and your son is the dead one' and the other claims 'No. Your son is the dead one and my son is the living one.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king replied, ?This woman says, ?My son is alive and yours is dead,? but that woman says, ?No, your son is dead and mine is alive.??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The king said, "One says, 'My son is alive; your son is dead,' while the other says, 'No, your son is dead; my son is alive.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead;' and the other says, 'No; but your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead; and the other saith, No; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said, “One says, ‘This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead;’ and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king says, “This [one] says, This [is] my son, the living, and your son [is] the dead; and that [one] says, No, but your son [is] the dead, and my son the living.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the king saith, 'This one saith, This is my son, the living, and thy son is the dead; and that one saith, Nay, but thy son is the dead, and my son the living.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king will say, This says, My son the living, and thy son the dead; and this says, Nay; for thy son the dead, and my son the living.<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 said the king: The one saith, My child is alive, and thy child is dead. And the other answereth: Nay, but thy child is dead, and mine liveth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then said the king: “This one says, ‘My son is alive, and your son is dead.’ And the other responds, ‘No, instead your son is dead, but mine lives.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said: “One woman claims, ‘This, the living one, is my son, the dead one is yours.’ The other answers, ‘No! The dead one is your son, the living one is mine.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; while the other says, ‘Not so! Your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the other woman said, It is not so, the living is my son and the dead is your son. Thus they argued before the king.<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 said the king: 'The one saith: This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead; and the other saith: Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and the king said to them, Thou sayest, This <i>is</i> my son, <i>even</i> the living <i>one</i>, and this woman's son <i>is</i> the dead one: and thou sayest, No, but the living <i>is</i> my son, and the dead <i>is</i> thy son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/3-23.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=1368" 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">22</span>“No,” said the other woman, “the living one is my son and the dead one is your son.” But the first woman insisted, “No, the dead one is yours and the living one is mine.” So they argued before the king. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">Then the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: zōṯ (Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">“This</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ō·me·reṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">woman says,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh- (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">‘</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">My son</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ha·ḥay (Art:: N-ms) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">is alive</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nêḵ (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2fs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and yours</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ham·mêṯ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">is dead,’</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: wə·zōṯ (Conj-w:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">but that</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ō·me·reṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">woman says,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">‘No,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: ḵî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nêḵ (N-msc:: 2fs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">your son</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ham·mêṯ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">is dead</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nî (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and mine</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: he·ḥāy (Art:: N-ms) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">is alive.’”</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought him a sword,…<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="/1_kings/3-28.htm">1 Kings 3:28</a></span><br />When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/4-29.htm">1 Kings 4:29-34</a></span><br />And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. / Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. / He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Proverbs 3:13-18</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...<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="/proverbs/16-10.htm">Proverbs 16:10</a></span><br />A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-8.htm">Proverbs 20:8</a></span><br />A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12</a></span><br />The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.<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="/isaiah/28-29.htm">Isaiah 28:29</a></span><br />This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Jeremiah 23:5</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.<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="/luke/2-40.htm">Luke 2:40</a></span><br />And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-52.htm">Luke 2:52</a></span><br />And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-46.htm">John 7:46</a></span><br />“Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-10.htm">Acts 6:10</a></span><br />but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then said the king, The one said, This is my son that lives, and your son is the dead: and the other said, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/19-6.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">No</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/12-6.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-25.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-15.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/job/24-15.htm">No</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>Then the king replied</b><br>This phrase introduces King Solomon, who is renowned for his wisdom, a gift from God as described earlier in <a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5-14</a>. Solomon's role as king is significant, as he is the son of David and Bathsheba, and his reign marks a period of peace and prosperity for Israel. His wisdom is a fulfillment of God's promise to David that his son would build the temple and establish a lasting kingdom (<a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">2 Samuel 7:12-13</a>).<p><b>“This woman says, ‘My son is alive and yours is dead,’</b><br>The context here is a dispute between two women, both claiming to be the mother of a living child. This reflects the social and legal challenges of the time, where the king often served as the highest judge in the land. The situation underscores the importance of justice and truth in leadership, themes prevalent throughout the Old Testament. The phrase also highlights the maternal instinct and the deep bond between a mother and her child, a recurring theme in biblical narratives.<p><b>but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead and mine is alive.’”</b><br>This part of the verse illustrates the conflict and the challenge of discerning truth in a situation with no witnesses or evidence. It sets the stage for Solomon's wise judgment, which would later become a testament to his God-given wisdom. The narrative foreshadows the wisdom of Christ, who often discerned the hearts and intentions of people (<a href="/john/2-24.htm">John 2:24-25</a>). The story also emphasizes the value of life and the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her child, resonating with the biblical theme of sacrificial love.<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 the newly anointed king of Israel, demonstrating his God-given wisdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_two_women.htm">The Two Women</a></b><br>These are the two mothers who come before King Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of the living child. Their dispute sets the stage for Solomon's wise judgment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Israel and the location of Solomon's court where this judgment takes place.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_living_child.htm">The Living Child</a></b><br>The infant who is the subject of the dispute between the two women, representing the truth that Solomon seeks to uncover.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dead_child.htm">The Dead Child</a></b><br>The deceased infant, whose tragic death is central to the conflict and the test of Solomon's wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_god-given_wisdom.htm">The Value of God-Given Wisdom</a></b><br>Solomon's ability to discern the truth in a complex situation underscores the importance of seeking wisdom from God. Believers are encouraged to pray for wisdom in their daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_justice_in_leadership.htm">The Role of Justice in Leadership</a></b><br>Solomon's judgment highlights the necessity of justice and fairness in leadership. Leaders are called to seek truth and act justly, reflecting God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_discernment.htm">The Power of Discernment</a></b><br>Discernment is crucial in navigating life's challenges. Like Solomon, Christians should seek to understand the deeper truths in situations, guided by the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truth.htm">The Importance of Truth</a></b><br>The account emphasizes the significance of truth and integrity. Believers are reminded to uphold truth in their words and actions, trusting God to reveal and vindicate the truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_in_conflict_resolution.htm">Compassion in Conflict Resolution</a></b><br>Solomon's approach demonstrates compassion and understanding in resolving disputes. Christians are encouraged to approach conflicts with empathy and a desire for reconciliation.<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/what_defines_rhetorical_criticism.htm">Who was Uriah the Hittite in the Bible?</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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_solomon's_sacrifice_conflict_with_bans.htm">Does Solomon's sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2-3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_jesus'_biblical_ancestors.htm">Who are the ancestors of Jesus according to the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then</span> [promptly, without hesitation] <span class="cmt_word">said the king, The one saith</span> [Heb. "<span class="accented">this</span> <span class="accented">is saying," i.e.</span>, keeps saying] <span class="cmt_word">This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead; and the other saith, Nay, but thy son is the dead and my son is the living.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/3-23.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">Then the king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ</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">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“This</span><br /><span class="heb">זֹ֣את</span> <span class="translit">(zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">woman says,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹמֶ֔רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·me·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘My son</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is alive</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and yours</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנֵ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·nêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is dead,’</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֵּ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but that</span><br /><span class="heb">וְזֹ֤את</span> <span class="translit">(wə·zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">woman says,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹמֶ֙רֶת֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·me·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘No,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your son</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is dead</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֵּ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and mine</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is alive.’”</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶחָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḥāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/3-23.htm">1 Kings 3:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/3-23.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 3:23 Then said the king The one says (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 3:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/3-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 3:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:24" /></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>