1 Kings 3:26
New International Version
The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

New Living Translation
Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, “Oh no, my lord! Give her the child—please do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!”

English Standard Version
Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.”

Berean Standard Bible
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!”

King James Bible
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

New King James Version
Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.

New American Standard Bible
But the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son, and she said, “Pardon me, my lord! Give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” But the other woman was saying, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; cut him!

NASB 1995
Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!”

NASB 1977
Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the woman whose son was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred with compassion over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!”

Amplified Bible
Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply moved over her son, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; cut him!

Christian Standard Bible
The woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she felt great compassion for her son. “My lord, give her the living baby,” she said, “but please don’t have him killed! ” But the other one said, “He will not be mine or yours. Cut him in two! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she felt great compassion for her son. “My lord, give her the living baby,” she said, “but please don’t have him killed!” But the other one said, “He will not be mine or yours. Cut him in two!”

American Standard Version
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, It shall be neither mine nor thine; divide it.

Contemporary English Version
"Please don't kill my son," the baby's mother screamed. "Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don't kill him." The other woman shouted, "Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby."

English Revised Version
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, Oh my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, It shall be neither mine nor thine; divide it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the woman whose son was still alive was deeply moved by her love for the child. She said to the king, "Please, sir, give her the living child. Please don't kill him!" But the other woman said, "He won't be mine or yours. Cut him [in two]."

Good News Translation
The real mother, her heart full of love for her son, said to the king, "Please, Your Majesty, don't kill the child! Give it to her!" But the other woman said, "Don't give it to either of us; go on and cut it in two."

International Standard Version
The woman whose child was still alive cried out to the king, because her heart yearned for her son. "Oh no, your majesty!" she said. "Give her the living child. Please don't kill him." But the other woman said, "Cut him in half! That way, he'll belong to neither one of us."

Majority Standard Bible
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!?

NET Bible
The real mother spoke up to the king, for her motherly instincts were aroused. She said, "My master, give her the living child! Whatever you do, don't kill him!" But the other woman said, "Neither one of us will have him! Let them cut him in two!"

New Heart English Bible
Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, "Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill it." But the other said, "It shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide it."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then spoke the woman whose the living child was to the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

World English Bible
Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill him!” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the woman whose son [is] the living one says to the king (for her bowels yearned over her son), indeed, she says, “O my lord, give the living child to her, and do not put him to death at all”; and this [one] says, “Let him be neither mine or yours—cut [him].”

Young's Literal Translation
And the woman whose son is the living one saith unto the king (for her bowels yearned over her son), yea, she saith, 'O, my lord, give to her the living child, and put it not at all to death;' and this one saith, 'Let it be neither mine or thine -- cut it.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the woman to whom the living son, will say to the king, for her bowels were warm upon her son, and she will say, With leave, my lord, ye shall give to her the living child, and slaying, ye shall not slay him. And this said, It shall not be even to me, even to thee; divide it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the woman whose child was alive, said to the king, (for her bowels were moved upon her child,) I beseech thee, my lord, give her the child alive, and do not kill it. But the other said: Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the woman, whose son was alive, said to the king, for her heart was moved concerning her son, “I beg you, my lord, give the living infant to her, and do not kill him.” To the contrary, the other said, “Let it be neither for me, nor for you, instead divide it.”

New American Bible
The woman whose son was alive, because she was stirred with compassion for her son, said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby—do not kill it!” But the other said, “It shall be neither mine nor yours. Cut it in two!”

New Revised Standard Version
But the woman whose son was alive said to the king—because compassion for her son burned within her—“Please, my lord, give her the living boy; certainly do not kill him!” The other said, “It shall be neither mine nor yours; divide it.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the woman whose child was alive said to the king, because her affections yearned for her son, I beseech you, O my lord, give her the child alive, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor yours, but divide it in two.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And that woman whose son was living said to the King, because her love yearned for her son: “I beg of you, my Lord, give the child to her while he is alive, and you shall not kill him!” And this other was saying: “He shall not be mine or yours. Cut him in pieces!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then spoke the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her heart yearned upon her son, and she said: 'Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it.' But the other said: 'It shall be neither mine nor thine; divide it.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the woman whose the living child was, answered and said to the king, (for her bowels yearned over her son) and she said, I pray thee, my lord, give her the child, and in nowise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor hers; divide it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Judges Wisely
25and the king declared, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” 26Then 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!” 27Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.”…

Cross References
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.”

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!

Genesis 21:16
Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept.

2 Samuel 14:4-7
When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!” / “What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. / And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. ...

Jeremiah 31:20
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

1 Samuel 1:26-28
“Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. / I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, / I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

2 Kings 4:27
When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

Genesis 44:18-34
Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. / My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ / And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ ...

Matthew 15:22-28
And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” / He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ...

Luke 7:12-15
As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. / When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” / Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” ...

John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. / When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” / Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.

Matthew 18:10-14
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. / For the Son of Man came to save the lost. / What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? ...

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.” ...

Luke 18:15-17
Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them. / But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “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.”

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.


Treasury of Scripture

Then spoke the woman whose the living child was to the king, for her bowels yearned on her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither my nor yours, but divide it.

her bowels

Genesis 43:30
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Jeremiah 31:20
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

yearned [heb] were hot

Psalm 39:3
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

give her

Romans 1:31
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

2 Timothy 3:3
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

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1 Kings 3
1. Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter
2. 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














Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king
This phrase introduces the true mother, whose maternal instincts and love for her child compel her to speak. The Hebrew word for "spoke" (דָּבַר, dabar) often implies a significant or authoritative communication. In this context, it underscores the urgency and sincerity of the mother's plea. Historically, this moment is set in the court of King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom. The setting emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the desperation of the mother.

because she yearned with compassion for her son
The phrase "yearned with compassion" translates from the Hebrew word רָחַם (racham), which conveys deep emotional stirring and mercy. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's compassion for His people, highlighting the depth of the mother's love. Her compassion is a reflection of the divine attribute of mercy, illustrating the natural, God-given bond between a mother and her child.

'Please, my lord,' she said, 'give her the living baby. Do not kill him!'
The plea "Please, my lord" shows respect and submission to King Solomon's authority, acknowledging his role as judge. The Hebrew word for "please" (נָא, na) is a particle of entreaty, indicating the urgency and earnestness of her request. Her willingness to give up her child to save his life demonstrates selfless love, a theme that resonates with the sacrificial love seen throughout Scripture, particularly in the New Testament with Christ's sacrifice.

But the other woman said, 'He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!'
The stark contrast between the two women is highlighted here. The phrase "He will be neither mine nor yours" reveals the other woman's bitterness and envy. Her willingness to see the child killed rather than belong to the true mother exposes a heart hardened by sin. This reflects the destructive nature of envy and selfishness, which are condemned throughout the Bible. The suggestion to "Cut him in two" is a shocking display of her lack of maternal instinct and compassion, serving as a foil to the true mother's love.

Verse 26. - Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels [thought by most of the ancients to be the seat of the affections, probably because of the sensations which strong emotions excite there. Cf. τὰ σπλάγχνα in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 6:12; Philippians 2:1; Philemon 1:7, 20, etc.] yearned [Heb. glowed. We speak of "glowing with pity," etc.] upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it, But the other [Heb. this] said [Heb. saying] Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. [The Hebrew is strikingly concise, "divide." We have here by far the greatest difficulty in the story. When the pretender, who has clamoured for the child, is at last offered it by its mother, she refuses the gift and heartlessly urges that it shall be cut in two. We can only account for her strange conduct on the supposition that. she caught eagerly at any way of escape from the dilemma in which she had placed herself, and thought, no doubt, that to accept his decision would be to flatter and please the king. (See Homiletics.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the woman
הָאִשָּׁה֩ (hā·’iš·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

whose
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

son
בְּנָ֨הּ (bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

was alive
הַחַ֜י (ha·ḥay)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

spoke
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king
הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she yearned
נִכְמְר֣וּ (niḵ·mə·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3648: To intertwine, contract, to shrivel, to be deeply affected with passion

with compassion
רַחֲמֶיהָ֮ (ra·ḥă·me·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7356: Compassion, the womb, a maiden

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

her son.
בְּנָהּ֒ (bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

“My lord,”
אֲדֹנִ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

she said,
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“give
תְּנוּ־ (tə·nū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

her
לָהּ֙ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

the living
הַחַ֔י (ha·ḥay)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

baby.
הַיָּל֣וּד (hay·yā·lūḏ)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

Please
בִּ֣י (bî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 994: Oh that!, with leave, if it please

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

kill him!”
תְּמִיתֻ֑הוּ (tə·mî·ṯu·hū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

But the other
וְזֹ֣את (wə·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

[woman] said,
אֹמֶ֗רֶת (’ō·me·reṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“He will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be
יִהְיֶ֖ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

mine
לִ֥י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

or
גַם־ (ḡam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

yours.
לָ֛ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

Cut him in two!”
גְּזֹֽרוּ׃ (gə·zō·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1504: To cut down, off, to destroy, divide, exclude, decide


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OT History: 1 Kings 3:26 Then spoke the woman whose the living (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 3:25
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