1 Kings 3:25

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 3:25

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:25

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 3:25

1 Kings 3:25. The king said With seeming sincerity, though with a design far above the reach of the two women, or of the people present, who probably with horror expected the execution of his sentence. “Solomon knew at once that the only sign whereby to discover the true mother, would be her affection, and compassionate tenderness for her child; and therefore, in order to distinguish between the two, his business was to make trial of this. And if we suppose that, when he commanded the child... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:1-28

Solomon’s wisdom (3:1-28)David’s power had come through war and conquest; Solomon’s came through clever commercial and political agreements with neighbouring countries. Solomon gave impressive public display of his loyalty to God, but he ignored God’s warnings when he saw advantages to be gained through foreign alliances. His marriage to the daughter of Pharaoh guaranteed peace for Israel in a region where Egypt was the chief power, but it probably required Solomon to pay respect to Egypt’s... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 3:16-28

1 Kings 3:16-28. Then came there two women, &c.— See Jos 2:1 respecting the word זנות zonoth rendered harlots. Solomon knew at once, that the only sign whereby to discover the true mother, would be her affection and compassionate tenderness for her child; and therefore, in order to distinguish between the two, his business was to make trial of this. And if we suppose, that when he commanded the child to be divided he spake with a sedate countenance and seeming earnestness, as the true... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 3:16-28

God’s provision of Wisdom 3:16-28This incident demonstrates that God did indeed give Solomon the unusual wisdom He had promised (1 Kings 3:28). [Note: Wiseman, pp. 85-86, wrote a short note on the wisdom that is in view here.] The writer did not specify when during Solomon’s reign this event took place, but probably it occurred shortly after God appeared to the king at Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4-15)."The chronology of the reign of Solomon does not pose nearly the difficulty as does that of David. With... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:1-28

Solomon’s ChoiceThis chapter relates how Solomon, out of various gifts offered to him by the Almighty, chose wisdom, and adds an illustration of the use he made of the gift with which he was endowed.1. Pharaoh] probably one of the immediate predecessors of the Shishak (Sheshonk) mentioned in 1 Kings 11:40 is intended. His own house.. Lord] see 1 Kings 7, 6. Both of these buildings were outside the limits of the city of David.2. High places] Both the Canaanites (see Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Kings 3:1-28

Our Weakness Our Strength 1 Kings 3:7 These were the words of a very wise and great man, when he was just succeeding to his high dignities and was on the eve of one of the greatest works which was ever given to a man to do. It is the Moseses, the Solomons, the Jeremiahs, who always feel their nothingness. The higher you ascend in the true scale of manhood, the more unaffected and entire is the acknowledgment 'I am but a little child'. One only who ever lived and achieved the greatnesses of... read more

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