1 Kings 3:27

Verse

Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.”

American Standard Version (1901)

Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

Bible in Basic English

Then the king made answer and said, Give her the child, and do not put it to death; she is the mother of it.

Free Bible Version

The king gave his verdict. “Give the child that's alive to the first woman,” he ordered. “On no account kill him, for she is his real mother.”

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the King answered, and sayde, Giue her the liuing childe, and slay him not: this is his mother.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

Translation for Translators

Then the king said to the servant, “Do not kill the baby. Give the baby to the woman who said ‘Do not cut the baby in half,’ because she is truly the baby’s mother.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.”

Noah Webster Bible

Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother of it.

World English Bible

Then the king answered, “Give the first woman the living child, and definitely do not kill him. She is his mother.”

Young's Literal Translation

And the king answereth and saith, 'Give ye to her the living child, and put it not at all to death; she [is] its mother.'

Context

Solomon Judges Wisely

²⁶Then 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!”²⁷Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.”

Summary

In this verse, King Solomon demonstrates his wisdom and discernment when faced with a difficult situation involving two women claiming to be the mother of the same baby. By suggesting to cut the baby in half to resolve the dispute, Solomon reveals the true mother who selflessly offers to give up her claim to save the child's life. This story showcases Solomon's renowned wisdom and the divine insight granted to him by God, illustrating the importance of seeking God's guidance in making just and righteous decisions.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Solomon saw from this which was the mother of the living child, and handed it over to her. (Note: Grotius observes on this: "The ἀγχίνοια of Solomon was shown by this to be very great. There is a certain similarity in the account of Ariopharnis, king of the Thracians, who, when three persons claimed to be the sons of the king of the Cimmerii, decided that he was the son who would not obey the command to cast javelins at his father's corpse. The account is given by Diodorus Siculus.")

1 Kings 3:27

Solomon Judges Wisely

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.”

American Standard Version (1901)

Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

Bible in Basic English

Then the king made answer and said, Give her the child, and do not put it to death; she is the mother of it.

Free Bible Version

The king gave his verdict. “Give the child that's alive to the first woman,” he ordered. “On no account kill him, for she is his real mother.”

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the King answered, and sayde, Giue her the liuing childe, and slay him not: this is his mother.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

Translation for Translators

Then the king said to the servant, “Do not kill the baby. Give the baby to the woman who said ‘Do not cut the baby in half,’ because she is truly the baby’s mother.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.”

Noah Webster Bible

Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother of it.

World English Bible

Then the king answered, “Give the first woman the living child, and definitely do not kill him. She is his mother.”

Young's Literal Translation

And the king answereth and saith, 'Give ye to her the living child, and put it not at all to death; she [is] its mother.'

1 Kings 3:27

Verse

Context

Solomon Judges Wisely

Summary

Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

1 Kings 3:27

Solomon Judges Wisely

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary