King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then the king said, "This woman says, 'The living one is my son; your son is the dead one'; while the other says, 'No, the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.'
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.’”
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then said{H559} the king{H4428}, The one{H2063} saith{H559}, This is my son{H1121} that liveth{H2416}, and thy son{H1121} is the dead{H4191}: and the other{H2063} saith{H559}, Nay; but thy son{H1121} is the dead{H4191}, and my son{H1121} is the living{H2416}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for 1 Kings 3:23
1 Kings 3:23 is part of the narrative describing the wisdom of King Solomon, the son of King David, who succeeded his father to the throne of Israel. The verse is set during a time when Solomon has recently become king and is renowned for his God-given wisdom. In this particular incident, two women come before Solomon, both claiming to be the mother of a living child, while each accusing the other of being the mother of a dead child.
The verse captures the crux of the dispute: each woman is asserting maternal rights over the living child and declaring the other's child to be the one who died. This presents a perplexing dilemma, as both women are adamant about their claims, and there are no witnesses to clarify the situation. Solomon's role here is to discern the true mother, a task that requires not only keen observation but also deep insight into human nature.
The historical context of this verse reflects the early period of Solomon's reign, a time when his reputation for wisdom and justice was being established. The themes present in this verse include the need for wise governance, the complexity of legal disputes involving family and identity, and the challenge of determining truth in the absence of concrete evidence. Solomon's approach to resolving the dispute, which unfolds in the subsequent verses, showcases his legendary wisdom and sets a precedent for fair and thoughtful judgment, reinforcing his stature as a just and perceptive ruler. This event contributes to the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the importance of wise leadership in maintaining social harmony and the favor of God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H2063
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זֹאת
Transliteration: zôʼth
Pronunciation: zothe'
Description: irregular feminine of זֶה; this (often used adverb); hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.