What does the true mother's reaction reveal about her character and priorities? The courtroom moment 1 Kings 3:26—“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!’” Character traits shining through • Compassionate: “she yearned with compassion” (v. 26). • Self-sacrificing: willing to relinquish her own rights to save the child. • Humble: approaches Solomon as “my lord,” submitting to rightful authority. • Peace-seeking: chooses peace over contention. • Quick to act: speaks up instantly to prevent harm. Priorities on full display • The child’s life is paramount—far above her personal claim. • Preservation over possession—relationship matters more than legal victory. • Mercy over justice—prefers undeserved kindness to deserved fairness. • Truth and love intertwined—her honesty flows from genuine love. • Image of God in the child—guards what God has made (cf. Genesis 1:27). Scripture echoes of a mother’s heart • Isaiah 49:15—“Can a woman forget her nursing child…?” God uses maternal love to illustrate His own unfailing care. • Psalm 103:13—“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” The same tender mercy is seen in the true mother. • Hosea 11:1, 4—God’s parental affection for Israel mirrors her self-giving love. • John 15:13—“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” She lays down her claim to save a life. • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7—Her love “does not seek its own… bears all things.” Take-home reflections • Genuine love values life over rights. • True compassion moves past feelings into sacrificial action. • God’s own nature is reflected in parental tenderness; to treasure life is to align with His heart. |
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