Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.” New Living Translation And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t my son at all.” English Standard Version When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.” Berean Standard Bible The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne.” King James Bible And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. New King James Version And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne.” New American Standard Bible When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead! But when I examined him closely in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne!” NASB 1995 “When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne.” NASB 1977 “And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne.” Legacy Standard Bible When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne.” Amplified Bible When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead. But when I examined him carefully in the morning, behold, it was not my son, the one whom I had borne.” Christian Standard Bible When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. That morning, when I looked closely at him I realized that he was not the son I gave birth to.” Holman Christian Standard Bible When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. That morning, when I looked closely at him I realized that he was not the son I gave birth to."” American Standard Version And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I did bear. Contemporary English Version In the morning when I got up to feed my son, I saw that he was dead. But when I looked at him in the light, I knew he wasn't my son. English Revised Version And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. GOD'S WORD® Translation When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, he was dead! I took a good look at him and realized that he wasn't my son at all!" Good News Translation The next morning, when I woke up and was going to nurse my baby, I saw that it was dead. I looked at it more closely and saw that it was not my child." International Standard Version The next morning, I got up to nurse my son, and he was dead. But when I examined him carefully in the light of day, he turned out not to be my son whom I had borne!" NET Bible I got up in the morning to nurse my son, and there he was, dead! But when I examined him carefully in the morning, I realized it was not my baby." New Heart English Bible When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, look, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, look, it was not my son, whom I bore." Webster's Bible Translation And when I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I bore. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne.” World English Bible When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead; but when I had looked at him in the morning, behold, it was not my son whom I bore.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand I rise in the morning to suckle my son, and behold, [he is] dead; and I consider in the morning concerning it, and behold, it was not my son whom I bore.” Young's Literal Translation and I rise in the morning to suckle my son, and lo, dead; and I consider concerning it in the morning, and lo, it was not my son whom I did bear.' Smith's Literal Translation And I shall rise in the morning to suckle my son, and behold, he was dead: and I shall attend to him in the morning, and behold, it was not my son that I brought forth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold it was dead: but considering him more diligently when it was clear day, I found that it was not mine which I bore. Catholic Public Domain Version And when I had arisen in the morning, so that I might give milk to my son, he appeared to be dead. But gazing upon him more diligently in the light of day, I realized that he was not mine, whom I had born.” New American Bible I rose in the morning to nurse my son, and he was dead! But when I examined him in the morning light, I saw it was not the son I had borne.” New Revised Standard Version When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, I saw that he was dead; but when I looked at him closely in the morning, clearly it was not the son I had borne.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, it was dead; but when I had examined it in the morning, behold, it was not my son which I had borne. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I arose at dawn to suckle my son, and I saw he was dead, and I examined him at dawn, and he was not my son whom I delivered!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked well at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I did bear.' Brenton Septuagint Translation and I arose in the morning to suckle my son, and he was dead: and, behold, I considered him in the morning, and, behold, it was not my son whom I bore. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Solomon Judges Wisely…20So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I was asleep. She laid him in her bosom and put her dead son at my bosom. 21The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne.” 22“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.… Cross References 1 Kings 3:22-23 “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. / 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.’” 1 Kings 3:24-25 The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought him a sword, / and the king declared, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” 1 Kings 3:26-27 Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!” / Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.” 1 Kings 3:28 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. Exodus 2:6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the little boy was crying. So she had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrew children.” 2 Samuel 12:15-18 After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. / David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. / The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. ... 2 Kings 4:32-35 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ... Job 3:16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight? Psalm 139:13-16 For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. / I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. / My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ... Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:16-18 When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. / Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: / “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 18:10 See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven. Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:13-16 Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. / But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. / Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ... Treasury of Scripture And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. give Genesis 21:7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age. 1 Samuel 1:23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. Lamentations 4:3,4 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness… Jump to Previous Bear Bore Borne Breast Care Carefully Child Closely Consider Considered Dead Light Morning Nurse Rise Rose Suck SuckleJump to Next Bear Bore Borne Breast Care Carefully Child Closely Consider Considered Dead Light Morning Nurse Rise Rose Suck Suckle1 Kings 3 1. Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter2. High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon 5. Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him, 10. preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor 16. Solomon's judgment makes him renowned The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, This phrase sets the scene in the early morning, a time often associated with new beginnings and revelations in the Bible. The act of nursing highlights the maternal bond and responsibility, reflecting the nurturing role of a mother. In ancient Israel, breastfeeding was a critical part of child-rearing, emphasizing the dependency of the child on the mother. This moment underscores the natural routine disrupted by an unexpected tragedy. I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne.” Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel known for his wisdom, who is presiding over the case. 2. Two Women The central figures in this account, both claiming to be the mother of the living child. 3. The Child The living child who is the subject of the dispute between the two women. 4. Jerusalem The city where Solomon's court is located, and where this judgment takes place. 5. The Palace The setting of the event, where Solomon hears the case and delivers his wise judgment. Teaching Points The Value of WisdomSolomon's ability to discern the truth in a difficult situation underscores the importance of seeking God's wisdom in our own lives. The Heart's True Intentions The account reveals how true intentions are often revealed under pressure, encouraging us to examine our own hearts. God's Justice This account illustrates God's justice working through Solomon, reminding us that God is the ultimate judge. The Role of Discernment Just as Solomon discerned the true mother, we are called to develop discernment in our spiritual and daily lives. The Power of a Mother's Love The true mother's willingness to give up her child to save him highlights the sacrificial nature of genuine love. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 3:21?2. How does 1 Kings 3:21 highlight the importance of discernment in decision-making? 3. What can we learn about truth from the mother's reaction in 1 Kings 3:21? 4. How does 1 Kings 3:21 connect to Proverbs' teachings on wisdom? 5. How can we apply the lesson of 1 Kings 3:21 in daily conflicts? 6. What role does God’s wisdom play in resolving disputes, as seen in 1 Kings 3:21? 7. How does 1 Kings 3:21 challenge our understanding of divine wisdom and justice? 8. What does 1 Kings 3:21 reveal about the nature of truth and deception? 9. How does the historical context of 1 Kings 3:21 influence its interpretation? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 3? 11. How did Solomon resolve the dispute between two mothers? 12. What scientific or historical data supports Jeremiah 21's timeframe and events, given the lack of external records mentioning these specific warnings to King Zedekiah? 13. In 1 Chronicles 8:1-2, how can these names and lineages of Benjamin be reconciled with variations in other Old Testament genealogies? 14. Is Jesus considered the firstborn of creation? What Does 1 Kings 3:21 Mean The next morning• The dawn marks God’s daily mercy and a decisive turning point in the narrative (cf. Lamentations 3:23; Psalm 30:5). • Time has moved on from the dispute of the night, moving the case into daylight where truth can be seen and judged (John 3:21). • In Solomon’s court this phrase sets the stage for urgent justice—no delay when life and identity hang in the balance (2 Samuel 15:2). when I got up to nurse my son • A mother’s first act each day is nurturing her child—an ordinary rhythm God designed (Isaiah 49:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:7). • Nursing implies intimacy and firsthand knowledge of the infant; she cannot be fooled easily about whose child she holds (Proverbs 31:27). • The statement underscores responsibility: a parent must rise to care, mirroring how the Good Shepherd watches His flock (John 10:3-4). I discovered he was dead • The shocking discovery confronts the grim reality of death introduced by sin (Genesis 3:19; Hebrews 9:27). • It introduces the core tension fueling Solomon’s famous judgment: life versus death, truth versus deception (1 Kings 3:24-25). • Emotionally, it exposes the vulnerability of life and a mother’s grief, themes echoed when the widow of Zarephath’s son dies (1 Kings 17:17-24). But when I examined him • Examination implies careful observation, a model for discerning truth (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). • Maternal instinct is partnered with deliberate verification—faith is never blind to facts (Proverbs 14:15). • This scene hints that evidence, not just emotion, will guide Solomon’s verdict (Deuteronomy 19:15). I realized that he was not the son I had borne • Recognition of her true child shows the depth of a mother’s bond—“his mother’s heart yearned for her son” (1 Kings 3:26). • Her certainty refutes the lie and sets up the moral test revealing each woman’s character (John 8:32). • Ultimately the statement underscores identity: God knows and calls each person by name (Isaiah 43:1), and He equips parents to know their children. summary 1 Kings 3:21 portrays a grieving mother who quickly discerns a deadly deception. Her early-morning routine, careful examination, and unmistakable recognition establish both the authenticity of her claim and the setting for Solomon’s display of God-given wisdom. The verse highlights the sanctity of life, the God-ordained bond between parent and child, and the necessity of truth in justice. Verse 21. - And when I rose in the morning [while it was still dusk] to give my child suck, behold it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning [i.e., in broad daylight; Vulg. clara luce] behold [this second "behold" marks a second discovery] it was not my son which I did bear.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The next morning,בַּבֹּ֛קֶר (bab·bō·qer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning when I got up וָאָקֻ֥ם (wā·’ā·qum) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand to nurse לְהֵינִ֥יק (lə·hê·nîq) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 3243: To suck, to give milk my son, בְּנִ֖י (bə·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1121: A son I discovered וְהִנֵּה־ (wə·hin·nêh-) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! he was dead. מֵ֑ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill But when I examined him, וָאֶתְבּוֹנֵ֤ן (wā·’eṯ·bō·w·nên) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand I realized וְהִנֵּ֛ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! that he was הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no the son בְנִ֖י (ḇə·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1121: A son I had borne.” יָלָֽדְתִּי׃ (yā·lā·ḏə·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage Links 1 Kings 3:21 NIV1 Kings 3:21 NLT 1 Kings 3:21 ESV 1 Kings 3:21 NASB 1 Kings 3:21 KJV 1 Kings 3:21 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 3:21 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 3:21 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 3:21 French Bible 1 Kings 3:21 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 3:21 When I rose in the morning (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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