And the king said, bring me a sword ,.... The design of which might not at first appear to the court, and it might be thought strange, and greatly wondered at: what should be the meaning of it: and they brought a sword before the king ; his commands were obeyed. read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a [Heb. the; the sword, i.e; of the executioner, or the sword for which he asked] sword before the king. read more
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other [Heb. one ]. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 3:16-28
An instance is here given of Solomon's wisdom, to show that the grant lately made him had a real effect upon him. The proof is fetched, not from the mysteries of state and the policies of the council-board, though there no doubt he excelled, but from the trial and determination of a cause between party and party, which princes, though they devolve them upon their judges, must not think it below them to take cognizance of. Observe, I. The case opened, not by lawyers, but by the parties... read more