1 Kings 3:21

Verse

The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I did bear.

Bible in Basic English

And when I got up to give my child the breast, I saw that it was dead; but in the morning, looking at it with care, I saw that it was not my son.

Free Bible Version

When I got up in the morning to nurse my son I saw that he was dead. When I looked closely at him in the light I realized it wasn't my son.”

Geneva Bible 1599

And when I rose in the morning to giue my sonne sucke, beholde, he was dead: and when I had well considered him in the morning, beholde, it was not my sonne, whom I had borne.

King James (Authorized) Version

And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.

Translation for Translators

When I awoke the next morning and was ready to nurse my baby, I saw that it was dead. But when I looked at it closely in the morning light, I saw that it was not my baby!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, he was dead. But when I had looked at him carefully in the morning, he was not my son, whom I had borne.”

Noah Webster Bible

And when I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I bore.

World English Bible

When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead; but when I had looked at him in the morning, behold, it was not my son whom I bore.”

Young's Literal Translation

and I rise in the morning to suckle my son, and lo, dead; and I consider concerning it in the morning, and lo, it was not my son whom I did bear.'

Context

Solomon Judges Wisely

²⁰So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I was asleep. She laid him in her bosom and put her dead son at my bosom.²¹The next morning, when I got up to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. But when I examined him, I realized that he was not the son I had borne.”

Summary

In this verse, King Solomon's wisdom is displayed as he discerns the true mother of the living child in the famous judgment case. Solomon's wisdom, granted by God in response to his humble request for understanding, is evident in his ability to see through the deceit of the false claimant. This story showcases the practical application of divine wisdom in resolving complex human dilemmas and upholding justice. It serves as a testament to the wisdom and discernment that God provides to those who seek His guidance and prioritize righteousness in their leadership and decision-making.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the other woman said,.... The defendant: nay, but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son; she denied what the other said, but offered nothing in proof of it: and this said; she who was the plaintiff replied in the same language: no: but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son; without being able to add anything in confirmation of what she had deposed: thus they spake before the king; several times, over and over again, what is before expressed, having nothing to produce on either side in proof of their assertions; so that it was very difficult to determine to whom the living child belonged.