1 Kings 3:26
24 The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought him a sword,
25 and the king declared, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”
Then 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!”
27 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.”
28 When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Then 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!”
- KJV
- Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
- WEB
- Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill him!” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide him.”
- ASV
- Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, It shall be neither mine nor thine; divide it.
- DARBY
- Then spoke the woman whose was the living child to the king, for her bowels yearned over her son, and she said, Ah, my lord! give her the living child, and in no wise put it to death. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine; divide it.
- BLB
- And the woman whose son [was] living spoke to the king, for with compassion she yearned for her son, and she said, “Please my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” And this one said, “Let him be not even unto me or unto you; divide [him]!”
- ÅB
- Da sa den kvinne som var mor til det levende barn, til kongen - for hennes hjerte brant for hennes barn - hun sa: Hør på meg, herre! Gi henne det levende barn og drep det for all ting ikke! Men den andre sa: Hverken jeg eller du skal ha det; hugg bare til!
- OTB
- Da talte kvinnen hvis barn var det levende til kongen, for hun var dypt beveget over sin sønn, og sa, "Vær så snill, min herre, gi henne det levende barnet, og drep ham ikke!" Men den andre sa, "Han skal verken være min eller din; del ham!"
- B1930
- Da sa den kvinne som var mor til det levende barn, til kongen - for hennes hjerte brente for hennes barn - hun sa: Hør på mig, herre! Gi henne det levende barn og drep det for all ting ikke! Men den andre sa: Hverken jeg eller du skal ha det; hugg bare til!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!
Read in contextJeremiah 31:20
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
Read in context1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
Read in contextGenesis 43:30
Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep.
Read in contextHosea 11:8
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!
Read in contextPhilippians 2:1
Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
Read in contextPhilippians 1:8
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Read in context2 Timothy 3:3
unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,
Read in context