Parallel Verses New International Version Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother." King James Bible Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. Darby Bible Translation And the king answered and said, Give this one the living child, and in no wise put it to death: she is its mother. World English Bible Then the king answered, "Give her the living child, and in no way kill it. She is its 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 Parallel Commentary Clarke's Commentary on the BibleDivide the living child in two - This was apparently a very strange decision, and such as nothing could vindicate had it been carried into execution; but Solomon saw that the only way to find out the real mother was by the affection and tenderness which she would necessarily show to her offspring. He plainly saw that the real mother would rather relinquish her claim to her child than see it hewn in pieces before her eyes, while it was probable the pretender would see this with indifference. He therefore orders such a mode of trial as would put the maternal affection of the real mother to the utmost proof; the plan was tried, and it succeeded. This was a proof of his sound judgment, penetration, and acquaintance with human nature; but surely it is not produced as a proof of extraordinary and supernatural wisdom. We have several similar decisions even among heathens. Suetonius, in his life of the Emperor Claudius, cap. xv., whom he celebrates for his wonderful sagacity and penetration on some particular occasions, tells us, that this emperor discovered a woman to be the mother of a certain young man, whom she refused to acknowledge as her son, by commanding her to marry him, the proofs being doubtful on both sides; for, rather than commit this incest, she confessed the truth. His words are: Feminam, non agnoscentem fllium suum, dubia utrinque argumentorum fide, ad confessionem compulit, indicto matrimonio juvenis. Ariopharnes, king of Thrace, being appointed to decide between three young men, who each professed to be the son of the deceased king of the Cimmerians, and claimed the crown in consequence, found out the real son by commanding each to shoot an arrow into the body of the dead king: two of them did this without hesitation, the third refused, and was therefore judged by Ariopharnes to be the real son of the deceased. Grotius, on this place, quotes this relation from Diodorus Siculus; I quote this on his authority, but have not been able to find the place in Diodorus. This is a parallel case to that in the text; a covert appeal was made to the principle of affection; and the truth was discovered, as in the case of the mother of the living child. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge Library A Young Man's Wise Choice Op Wisdom'In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto Thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before Thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with Thee; and Thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7. And now, O Lord my God, Thou hast made Thy servant king instead of David my father: and … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Letter Lxxiv. To Rufinus of Rome. Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful. The Temple and Its Dedication Cross References 1 Kings 3:26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!" But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!" 1 Kings 3:28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice. Jump to Previous Baby Child Death First Kill Means Mother Ruling Slay Thereof Way WiseJump to Next Baby Child Death First Kill Means Mother Ruling Slay Thereof Way WiseLinks 1 Kings 3:27 NIV1 Kings 3:27 NLT 1 Kings 3:27 ESV 1 Kings 3:27 NASB 1 Kings 3:27 KJV 1 Kings 3:27 Bible Apps 1 Kings 3:27 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 3:27 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 3:27 French Bible 1 Kings 3:27 German Bible 1 Kings 3:27 Commentaries THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®. Bible Hub |