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Matthew Henry

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

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 3:28

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 3:26

Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels [thought by most of the ancients to be the seat of the affections, probably because of the sensations which strong emotions excite there. Cf. τὰ σπλάγχνα in the New Testament read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:26

Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. "The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The judgment of Solomon is a striking commentary on this passage; indeed, it is possible that the writer had this incident in his mind when he penned these words. For assuredly the word of Solomon, "Divide," etc; was sharper than the sword they had just brought him £ in wounding the mother's heart (Cf. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:27

Then the king answered and said [He simply echoes the exact words of the mother. This is clear from the fact that the word יָלוּד — natus , "the one born," here and in 1 Kings 3:26 rendered " child ," is a very unusual one], Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it [The LXX ; which reads "Give the child to her who said, Give it to her," etc; obscures the evidently designed repetition] she is the mother thereof [Heb. she, his mother ] . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:28

And an Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king [ i.e; were impressed and awed by his almost supernatural penetration. Bähr refers to Luke 4:36 ; Luke 8:25 ], for they saw that the wisdom of God [for which he asked ( Luke 8:9 ) and which God gave ; before him the two harlots and the helpless child—carries our thoughts to a day of storm and cloud, a day of darkness and dread, when the "Son of Man shall sit upon the throne of His glory," with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 3:28

The wisdom of God - i. e. “Divine wisdom,” “a wisdom given by God” 1 Kings 3:12. The ready tact and knowledge of human nature exhibited in this pattern judgment, and its special fitness to impress Orientals, have generally been admitted. read more

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