What is the meaning of 1 Kings 3:19? During the night “During the night” (1 Kings 3:19) situates the tragedy in the hours when people are most vulnerable. • Night often highlights human frailty and the need for divine protection (Psalm 4:8; Psalm 91:5–6; Acts 12:6–7). • Darkness also provides the backdrop for God to reveal wisdom and light, setting the stage for Solomon’s discernment (1 Kings 3:28; James 1:5). • The timing reminds us that calamity can strike suddenly, echoing Jesus’ caution to be watchful because “the thief comes in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2–6). this woman’s son died The statement presents a literal, heartbreaking loss. • Scripture consistently portrays the death of a child as profoundly sorrowful (2 Samuel 12:18; Jeremiah 31:15; Mark 5:35–36). • The finality of death underscores humanity’s mortality after the Fall (Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12). • In the narrative, the infant’s death becomes the catalyst for Solomon’s famous ruling, illustrating how God can redeem even tragedy to display His wisdom (Romans 8:28). because she rolled over on him The cause is plainly stated: the mother’s accidental suffocation of her child. • The Bible never shies away from recording human error, however painful (Genesis 42:22; Luke 22:60–62). • Accidents carry consequences, yet they also reveal responsibilities—here, a mother’s duty to guard life (Deuteronomy 22:8; Proverbs 24:11). • The detail exposes the fragility of life and prepares the reader to contrast careless oversight with the discernment Solomon will exercise (1 Kings 3:24–27; Proverbs 3:21–23). summary 1 Kings 3:19 recounts a literal nocturnal tragedy that sparks Solomon’s renowned judgment. The verse highlights our vulnerability in the dark, the sorrow of death, and the reality that human error can have devastating results. God records this painful detail to display His wisdom through Solomon and to remind us of our continual need for watchfulness, responsibility, and the life-preserving guidance found in His Word. |
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