What is the meaning of 1 Kings 3:23?

Then the king replied

• Solomon answers swiftly, stepping into the role he had asked God for—“an understanding heart to judge Your people” (1 Kings 3:9).

• His response shows confidence born of divine wisdom (1 Kings 3:28; 2 Chron 1:10).

• As judge, he keeps authority centered on truth, recalling Deuteronomy 17:8–9, where difficult cases are brought before leadership for final verdicts.

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This woman says

• Solomon begins by repeating the first mother’s testimony word for word, modeling the impartiality urged in Deuteronomy 19:15 and Proverbs 18:13.

• By restating her claim aloud, he ensures every ear in the court hears the issues clearly, preventing confusion or hidden agendas (Proverbs 25:8–9).

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“My son is alive and yours is dead”

• The first mother asserts life for her child and death for the other’s—polar opposites that leave no middle ground, mirroring the clarity of light versus darkness in 1 John 1:5–6.

• Maternal instinct drives her urgency (Isaiah 49:15), while the stark “alive/dead” contrast anticipates the resurrection themes later fulfilled in Christ (John 11:25).

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but that woman says

• Solomon now echoes the second woman’s voice, giving equal weight to the opposing side (Proverbs 18:17).

• His balanced repetition reinforces the biblical call to impartial justice (Exodus 23:2–3) and guards against partiality condemned in James 2:1–4.

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“No, your son is dead and mine is alive.”

• The second mother reverses the claim, completing the standoff that human evidence alone cannot resolve.

• This moment exposes how deceit can masquerade as truth (John 8:44) and sets the stage for the wisdom test that follows (1 Kings 3:24–27).

• Solomon’s calm restatement draws attention to the clash between truth and falsehood, echoing 1 John 4:1—“test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

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summary

1 Kings 3:23 records Solomon’s careful restatement of the mothers’ opposing claims. By repeating each position verbatim, the king:

• Establishes a clear public record.

• Demonstrates impartial, God-given wisdom.

• Highlights the absolute opposition between truth and falsehood.

• Prepares the court—and the readers—for the dramatic test that will reveal the genuine mother.

The verse reminds us that righteous judgment begins with hearing every side, trusts God for discernment, and seeks unwavering truth even when evidence seems equally balanced.