1 Kings 3:18

Verse

On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us.

American Standard Version (1901)

And it came to pass the third day after I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also; and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

Bible in Basic English

And three days after the birth of my child, this woman had a child: we were together, no other-person was with us in the house but we two only.

Free Bible Version

Three days after the birth of my baby, this woman also had a baby. We were together; there was no one else in the house, just the two of us.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the third day after that I was deliuered, this woman was deliuered also: and we were in the house together: no stranger was with vs in the house, saue we twaine.

King James (Authorized) Version

And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

Translation for Translators

Three days after my baby was born, this woman also gave birth to a baby. Only the two of us were in the house; there was no one else there.

Unlocked Literal Bible

It happened on the third day after I gave birth that this woman also gave birth. We were together. There was no one else with us in the house, but only the two of us in the house.

Noah Webster Bible

And it came to pass the third day after I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save us two in the house.

World English Bible

The third day after I delivered, this woman delivered also. We were together. There was no stranger with us in the house, just us two in the house.

Young's Literal Translation

and it cometh to pass on the third day of my bringing forth, that this woman also bringeth forth, and we [are] together, there is no stranger with us in the house, save we two, in the house.

Context

Solomon Judges Wisely

¹⁷One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house.¹⁸On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us.¹⁹During the night this woman’s son died because she rolled over on him.

Summary

In this verse, two women came to King Solomon, both claiming to be the mother of the same baby. Solomon, in his wisdom, suggested cutting the baby in half to resolve the dispute. The true mother immediately showed her love and compassion by offering to give up her claim to save the baby's life, while the other woman agreed to the division. This act revealed the genuine maternal instinct and love of the real mother, prompting Solomon to discern the truth and award the baby to her. The story showcases Solomon's wisdom and the depth of a mother's love, illustrating the importance of selflessness and sacrificial love.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And this woman's child died in the night,.... Whether the same night following the day it was born is not certain; because she overlaid it; or laid upon it, being heavy through sleep, and not knowing what she did, turned herself upon it, and smothered it; because it had no previous illness, or any marks of any disease it could be thought to die of, and perhaps there might be some of its being overlaid.