Verse (Click for Chapter) 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!” Berean Literal Bible And the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for with compassion she yearned for her son, and she said, “Please my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” And this one said, “Let him be not even unto me or unto you; divide him!” 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!” Berean Annotated 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! 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." 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen 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!” 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 VersionAnd 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].” Berean Literal Bible And the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for with compassion she yearned for her son, and she said, “Please my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” And this one said, “Let him be not even unto me or unto you; divide 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 BibleBut 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 BibleThen 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 1917Then 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 Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king 2 Kings 8:3-6 At the end of seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to the king to appeal for her house and her land. / Now the king had been speaking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please relate to me all the great things Elisha has done.” / And Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had brought the dead back to life. Just then the woman whose son Elisha had revived came to appeal to the king for her house and her land. So Gehazi said, “My lord the king, this is the woman, and this is the son Elisha restored to life.” … 2 Samuel 14:4-5 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. Esther 7:3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request. because she yearned with compassion for her son. 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. Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” 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! “Please, my lord,” she said, 1 Samuel 25:24 She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. 2 Kings 4:16 And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” 1 Samuel 1:26 “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. “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” Exodus 1:16-17 “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” / The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. Genesis 37:21-22 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. “Let us not take his life,” he said. / “Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father. 1 Kings 17:23 Then Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. “Look, your son is alive,” Elijah declared. But the other woman said, 2 Kings 6:28-29 Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’ / So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.” Proverbs 18:17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. Deuteronomy 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!” Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. 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, Jump to Previous Bowels Child Divide Heart Kill Way YearnedJump to Next Bowels Child Divide Heart Kill Way Yearned1 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 Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king This phrase highlights the setting of a royal court where King Solomon is presiding. The woman whose son was alive is directly appealing to the king, demonstrating the practice of seeking justice from the highest authority. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking wisdom and justice from God-appointed leaders, as seen in Deuteronomy 17:8-13, where difficult cases are brought before the priests and judges. 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!” Persons / Places / Events 1. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon is known for his wisdom, which he received from God. In this passage, he is the king of Israel, making a wise judgment. 2. The Two Women These women are described as harlots who come to King Solomon with a dispute over a living child, each claiming to be the mother. 3. The Living Child The baby at the center of the dispute, whose true mother is revealed through Solomon's wise judgment. 4. Jerusalem The city where King Solomon's court is located, serving as the setting for this event. 5. The Throne of Judgment The place where Solomon sits to hear and decide cases brought before him, demonstrating his role as a judge and leader. Teaching Points The Value of Godly WisdomSolomon's judgment highlights the importance of seeking wisdom from God in making difficult decisions. Believers are encouraged to pray for wisdom in their own lives. Compassion as a Marker of True Love The true mother's compassion reveals her identity. This teaches us that genuine love is selfless and sacrificial, prioritizing the well-being of others. Discernment in Leadership Solomon's ability to discern the truth demonstrates the necessity of wisdom and discernment in leadership roles, whether in the church, family, or workplace. The Heart's True Intentions The passage illustrates how true intentions are revealed under pressure. Believers should examine their hearts and ensure their actions align with God's love and truth. The Role of Justice in Society Solomon's judgment underscores the importance of justice in maintaining order and righteousness in society. Christians are called to advocate for justice and fairness in their communities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 3:26?2. How does 1 Kings 3:26 illustrate a mother's sacrificial love for her child? 3. What does the true mother's reaction reveal about her character and priorities? 4. How does this verse demonstrate Solomon's wisdom in discerning true intentions? 5. How can we apply the principle of sacrificial love in our daily lives? 6. What other biblical examples show wisdom in resolving difficult situations? 7. How does 1 Kings 3:26 demonstrate Solomon's wisdom in resolving disputes? 8. What does the reaction of the true mother in 1 Kings 3:26 reveal about maternal love? 9. How does 1 Kings 3:26 illustrate the theme of justice in the Bible? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 3? 11. Did David commit rape against Bathsheba? 12. Who is the true mother of the living child? 13. How do we reconcile the apparent capacity discrepancy of the bronze sea between 1 Kings 7:26 (2,000 baths) and 2 Chronicles 4:5 (3,000 baths)? 14. How could David and Abishai enter Saul's camp and take his spear and water jug unnoticed by 3,000 soldiers? (1 Samuel 26:7-12) What Does 1 Kings 3:26 Mean Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king– The true mother does not remain silent; she steps forward. • In crisis, authentic love drives us toward righteous authority. Solomon’s throne pictures God’s own throne, where “we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). • Her initiative echoes Esther’s courage before Xerxes (Esther 5:1–2) and the persistent widow before the unjust judge (Luke 18:1–5). • God honors those who seek justice; “Blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times” (Psalm 106:3). because she yearned with compassion for her son – A mother’s heart mirrors God’s. • “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13). • Isaiah compares God’s unfailing love to a mother’s: “Can a woman forget her nursing child? … I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15). • True compassion is visceral; the word pictures an inner stirring. Such mercy distinguishes the righteous from the wicked (Proverbs 12:10). “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” – Love sacrifices rights to preserve life. • Her plea is humble (“Please, my lord”), self-denying (“give her the living baby”), and protective (“Do not kill him!”). • This echoes Christlike love: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). • Paul’s heart for Israel reflects the same willingness to surrender personal joy for another’s good (Romans 9:3). • Philippians 2:4 calls believers to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!” – Envy and bitterness expose a counterfeit heart. • Cain’s spirit resurfaces: “We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother” (1 John 3:12). • Jealous rage is destructive: “Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:4). • Jesus identifies the devil as “a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44); the second woman reflects that murderous impulse. • God uses this stark contrast to reveal truth; Solomon will soon declare, “Give the living baby to the first woman… she is his mother” (1 Kings 3:27). summary 1 Kings 3:26 contrasts sacrificial love with spiteful envy. The genuine mother would rather lose her claim than see her child harmed, illustrating parental love rooted in God’s own compassionate nature. The impostor, consumed by jealousy, prefers death to another’s joy. Solomon’s test uncovers the heart, showcasing the divine wisdom granted to him and affirming that true love protects, yields, and gives life. 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 womanהָאִשָּׁה֩ (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 Links 1 Kings 3:26 NIV1 Kings 3:26 NLT 1 Kings 3:26 ESV 1 Kings 3:26 NASB 1 Kings 3:26 KJV 1 Kings 3:26 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 3:26 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 3:26 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 3:26 French Bible 1 Kings 3:26 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 3:26 Then spoke the woman whose the living (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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