1 Kings 3:16-28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:25

And the king said ,.... To one of his officers: divide the living child in two ; not that he meant it should be actually done, though it might at first be thought he really intended it, and so strike the minds of some with horror, as it did, however, the mother; but he ordered this, to try the affections of the women, and thereby come to the true knowledge of the affair; though, some think he knew it before by their countenances and manner of speech, but that he was desirous all present... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:26

Then spake the woman, whose the living child was , unto the king ,.... In haste, and with great vehemency, lest the executioner should at once dispatch it: (for her bowels yearned upon her son) ; not being able to bear to see his life taken away: and she said, O my lord : or, "on me F17 בי "in me", Montanus; so Abarbinel. , my lord"; let the sin, the lie that I have told, be on me, and the punishment of it; she rather chose to be reckoned a liar, and to endure any... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:27

Then the king answered and said, give her the living child , and in no wise slay it ,.... That is, to her who desired it might not be slain, but rather be given to her who had no right to it: she is the mother thereof ; which might be strongly concluded from her compassion for it, her eagerness and earnestness to have its life spared, and from the indifference of the other, yea, from her cruelty and barbarity in moving to have it divided. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:28

And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged ,.... In the above case; the decision of it was divulged throughout the land, and the fame of it was spread everywhere: and they feared the king ; reverenced him as a wise, judicious, and faithful king, and feared to do anything of a criminal nature, as perceiving that he was so sagacious and penetrating, that he would discover it quickly, and bring them to shame and punishment: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:16

Then came there two women - harlots - The word זנות zonoth , which we here, and in some other places, improperly translate harlots, is by the Chaldee (the best judge in this case) rendered פונדקין pundekayan , tavern-keepers. (See on Joshua 2:1 ; (note)). If these had been harlots, it is not likely they would have dared to appear before Solomon; and if they had been common women, it is not likely they would have had children; nor is it likely that such persons would have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:25

Divide 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:28

They feared the king - This decision proved that they could not impose upon him; and they were afraid to do those things which might bring them before his judgment-seat. They saw that the wisdom of God was in him - They perceived that he was taught of God, judged impartially, and could not be deceived. What was done to the other woman we are not told; justice certainly required that she should be punished for her lies and fraud. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:5-16

A wise prayer. Gibeon, the scene of this incident, was one of the "high places" of the land. Worship in high places had been forbidden. Law against it not rigidly enforced until the place was chosen "where the Lord would cause his name to dwell." That Solomon's act in sacrificing at Gibeon was not condemned is proved by his being favoured with this direct Divine communication. Every scene of real worship may become the scene of special Divine manifestation. "The Lord appeared unto Solomon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:16

EXPOSITION IN this section we see how remarkably the gracious promise of Gibeon ( 1 Kings 3:12 ) was fulfilled. The "understanding to discern judgment" has been richly bestowed. And this, no doubt, is the reason why the story is related here. ἐπιδεῖξαί τὴν τοῦ βασιλεως ἐβουλήθη σοφίαν (Theodoret). It is just possible, as Thenius maintains, that the narrative was handed down to a succeeding age by tradition, and was not incorporated into any of the documents from which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:17

And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. read more

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