1 Kings 3:23
New International Version
The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

New Living Translation
Then the king said, “Let’s get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other.

English Standard Version
Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the king replied, “This woman says, ‘My son is alive and yours is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

King James Bible
Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

New King James Version
And the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”

NASB 1995
Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’ and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”

NASB 1977
Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”

Amplified Bible
Then the king said, “This woman says, ‘This is my son, the one who is alive, and your son is the dead one’; and the other woman says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the one who is alive.’”

Christian Standard Bible
The king replied, “This woman says, ‘This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king replied, “This woman says, ‘This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.’”

American Standard Version
Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

Contemporary English Version
until finally he said, "Both of you say this live baby is yours.

English Revised Version
Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king said, "This one keeps saying, 'My son is alive-your son is dead,' and that one keeps saying, 'No! Your son is dead-my son is alive.'"

Good News Translation
Then King Solomon said, "Each of you claims that the living child is hers and that the dead child belongs to the other one."

International Standard Version
The king said, "One of them claims, 'This living son is mine, and your son is the dead one' and the other claims 'No. Your son is the dead one and my son is the living one.'

Majority Standard Bible
Then the king replied, ?This woman says, ?My son is alive and yours is dead,? but that woman says, ?No, your son is dead and mine is alive.??

NET Bible
The king said, "One says, 'My son is alive; your son is dead,' while the other says, 'No, your son is dead; my son is alive.'"

New Heart English Bible
Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead;' and the other says, 'No; but your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead; and the other saith, No; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

World English Bible
Then the king said, “One says, ‘This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead;’ and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king says, “This [one] says, This [is] my son, the living, and your son [is] the dead; and that [one] says, No, but your son [is] the dead, and my son the living.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith, 'This one saith, This is my son, the living, and thy son is the dead; and that one saith, Nay, but thy son is the dead, and my son the living.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say, This says, My son the living, and thy son the dead; and this says, Nay; for thy son the dead, and my son the living.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then said the king: The one saith, My child is alive, and thy child is dead. And the other answereth: Nay, but thy child is dead, and mine liveth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then said the king: “This one says, ‘My son is alive, and your son is dead.’ And the other responds, ‘No, instead your son is dead, but mine lives.’ ”

New American Bible
Then the king said: “One woman claims, ‘This, the living one, is my son, the dead one is yours.’ The other answers, ‘No! The dead one is your son, the living one is mine.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; while the other says, ‘Not so! Your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the other woman said, It is not so, the living is my son and the dead is your son. Thus they argued before the king.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said the king: 'The one saith: This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead; and the other saith: Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the king said to them, Thou sayest, This is my son, even the living one, and this woman's son is the dead one: and thou sayest, No, but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Judges Wisely
22“No,” said the other woman, “the living one is my son and the dead one is your son.” But the first woman insisted, “No, the dead one is yours and the living one is mine.” So they argued before the king. 23Then the king replied, “This woman says, My son is alive and yours is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead and mine is alive.’” 24The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought him a sword,…

Cross References
1 Kings 3:28
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.

1 Kings 4:29-34
And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. / Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. / He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations. ...

Proverbs 3:13-18
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...

Proverbs 8:14-16
Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. / By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

Proverbs 16:10
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

Proverbs 20:8
A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Isaiah 11:2-4
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, / but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

Isaiah 28:29
This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Luke 2:40
And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

John 7:46
“Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered.

Acts 6:10
but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said the king, The one said, This is my son that lives, and your son is the dead: and the other said, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.

Jump to Previous
Alive Child Dead No
Jump to Next
Alive Child Dead No
1 Kings 3
1. Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter
2. High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon
5. Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him,
10. preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor
16. Solomon's judgment makes him renowned














Then the king replied
This phrase introduces King Solomon, who is renowned for his wisdom, a gift from God as described earlier in 1 Kings 3:5-14. Solomon's role as king is significant, as he is the son of David and Bathsheba, and his reign marks a period of peace and prosperity for Israel. His wisdom is a fulfillment of God's promise to David that his son would build the temple and establish a lasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

“This woman says, ‘My son is alive and yours is dead,’
The context here is a dispute between two women, both claiming to be the mother of a living child. This reflects the social and legal challenges of the time, where the king often served as the highest judge in the land. The situation underscores the importance of justice and truth in leadership, themes prevalent throughout the Old Testament. The phrase also highlights the maternal instinct and the deep bond between a mother and her child, a recurring theme in biblical narratives.

but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead and mine is alive.’”
This part of the verse illustrates the conflict and the challenge of discerning truth in a situation with no witnesses or evidence. It sets the stage for Solomon's wise judgment, which would later become a testament to his God-given wisdom. The narrative foreshadows the wisdom of Christ, who often discerned the hearts and intentions of people (John 2:24-25). The story also emphasizes the value of life and the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her child, resonating with the biblical theme of sacrificial love.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Solomon
The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem. In this passage, he is the newly anointed king of Israel, demonstrating his God-given wisdom.

2. The Two Women
These are the two mothers who come before King Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of the living child. Their dispute sets the stage for Solomon's wise judgment.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Israel and the location of Solomon's court where this judgment takes place.

4. The Living Child
The infant who is the subject of the dispute between the two women, representing the truth that Solomon seeks to uncover.

5. The Dead Child
The deceased infant, whose tragic death is central to the conflict and the test of Solomon's wisdom.
Teaching Points
The Value of God-Given Wisdom
Solomon's ability to discern the truth in a complex situation underscores the importance of seeking wisdom from God. Believers are encouraged to pray for wisdom in their daily lives.

The Role of Justice in Leadership
Solomon's judgment highlights the necessity of justice and fairness in leadership. Leaders are called to seek truth and act justly, reflecting God's character.

The Power of Discernment
Discernment is crucial in navigating life's challenges. Like Solomon, Christians should seek to understand the deeper truths in situations, guided by the Holy Spirit.

The Importance of Truth
The account emphasizes the significance of truth and integrity. Believers are reminded to uphold truth in their words and actions, trusting God to reveal and vindicate the truth.

Compassion in Conflict Resolution
Solomon's approach demonstrates compassion and understanding in resolving disputes. Christians are encouraged to approach conflicts with empathy and a desire for reconciliation.Verse 23. - Then [promptly, without hesitation] said the king, The one saith [Heb. "this is saying," i.e., keeps saying] This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead; and the other saith, Nay, but thy son is the dead and my son is the living.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

replied,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This
זֹ֣את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

woman says,
אֹמֶ֔רֶת (’ō·me·reṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘My son
בְּנִ֥י (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

is alive
הַחַ֖י (ha·ḥay)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

and yours
וּבְנֵ֣ךְ (ū·ḇə·nêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

is dead,’
הַמֵּ֑ת (ham·mêṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

but that
וְזֹ֤את (wə·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

woman says,
אֹמֶ֙רֶת֙ (’ō·me·reṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘No,
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

your son
בְּנֵ֥ךְ (bə·nêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

is dead
הַמֵּ֖ת (ham·mêṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

and mine
וּבְנִ֥י (ū·ḇə·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

is alive.’”
הֶחָֽי׃ (he·ḥāy)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life


Links
1 Kings 3:23 NIV
1 Kings 3:23 NLT
1 Kings 3:23 ESV
1 Kings 3:23 NASB
1 Kings 3:23 KJV

1 Kings 3:23 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 3:23 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 3:23 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 3:23 French Bible
1 Kings 3:23 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 3:23 Then said the king The one says (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 3:22
Top of Page
Top of Page