1 Kings 3:26

24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.

25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

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.

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

28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

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 sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 31:20

    Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

    Read in context
  • 1 John 3:17

    But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

    Read in context
  • Genesis 43:30

    And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

    Read in context
  • Hosea 11:8

    How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

    Read in context
  • Philippians 2:1

    If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

    Read in context
  • Philippians 1:8

    For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

    Read in context
  • 2 Timothy 3:3

    Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

    Read in context