1 Kings 3:18

KJV

And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we [were] together; [there was] no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass the third {H7992} day {H3117} after that I was delivered {H3205}, that this woman {H802} was delivered {H3205} also: and we were together {H3162}; there was no stranger {H2114} with us in the house {H1004}, save {H2108} we two {H8147} in the house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Three days after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. We were there together; there was no one else with us in the house except the two of us.

Berean Standard Bible

On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass the third day after I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also; and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse initiates the first woman's testimony in the pivotal account of Solomon's judgment, establishing the confined and unwitnessed setting for the tragic events that led to the dispute over a living child. It precisely details the timeline of the two births and emphatically states the absence of any third party in the house, thereby underscoring the profound challenge presented to King Solomon in discerning the truth without external corroboration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the opening statement of the first woman's plea before King Solomon, immediately following the introduction of the two women and their problem in [1 Kings 3:16](/1_kings/3-16 "1 Kings 3:16 - The Two Prostitutes Before Solomon"). It sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation that unfolds in [1 Kings 3:16-28](/1_kings/3-16 "1 Kings 3:16-28 - Solomon's Judgment"). By emphasizing the isolation of the incident, it highlights the core dilemma: two conflicting testimonies with no eyewitnesses. This lack of external evidence is crucial, as it forces Solomon to employ a unique, divinely-inspired method of judgment rather than relying on standard legal procedures. The verse's claim of no "stranger" directly contributes to the narrative tension, making Solomon's subsequent actions all the more remarkable.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, legal disputes, especially those lacking direct witnesses, often fell to the elders of the city gate or, in significant cases, to the king himself, who served as the supreme judicial authority. Mosaic Law placed a strong emphasis on the testimony of multiple witnesses for conviction ([Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Requirement for Two or Three Witnesses")). The scenario described in [1 Kings 3:18](/1_kings/3-18 "1 Kings 3:18 - The First Woman's Testimony")—two women living together, likely in a small, private dwelling typical of the period—presents a situation where such a legal standard cannot be met. The women are identified as "harlots" in [1 Kings 3:16](/1_kings/3-16 "1 Kings 3:16 - The Two Prostitutes Before Solomon"), suggesting a marginalized social status where their living arrangements might have been less conventional, further contributing to their isolation and the lack of external oversight.

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes emerging from this verse and its immediate context include the **Quest for Truth** in the face of deception, the **Limitations of Human Justice** without clear evidence, and the **Necessity of Divine Wisdom** in discerning hidden matters. The verse underscores the challenge of establishing facts when only conflicting personal accounts exist, thereby magnifying the significance of Solomon's prayer for an "understanding heart to judge" his people in [1 Kings 3:9](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom"). It also subtly introduces the theme of **Motherhood** and the profound bond between a mother and child, which will ultimately be the key to Solomon's ingenious resolution. The entire narrative, starting with this verse, serves as a powerful illustration of Solomon's divinely granted wisdom, as promised by God in [1 Kings 3:12](/1_kings/3-12 "1 Kings 3:12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **delivered (Hebrew, _yalad_):** This verb, meaning "to bear," "bring forth," or "give birth," is used twice in the verse, emphasizing the central event of childbirth. Its repetition underscores the shared experience of the two women and sets the stage for the tragic substitution that follows. It highlights the natural, life-giving act that became the source of their bitter dispute.
* **together (Hebrew, _yaḥdāw_):** This adverb signifies "unitedly," "at the same time," or "in the same place." Its use here stresses the shared living arrangement and the physical proximity of the two women. It directly supports the claim that they were the only two individuals present, reinforcing the isolation of the incident and the absence of any potential witnesses.
* **stranger (Hebrew, _zar_):** This noun refers to an "outsider," "foreigner," or "one not of the family." In this context, it specifically denotes anyone not belonging to their immediate household or arrangement. The emphatic declaration "no stranger with us" is the linchpin of the woman's testimony, establishing the crucial lack of external witnesses and thus presenting an insurmountable challenge to conventional legal inquiry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered":** This clause establishes a precise, though brief, timeline. It indicates that the second birth occurred just two days after the first woman had given birth, suggesting a close proximity in their experiences and setting the stage for the subsequent events in the confined space.
* **"that this woman was delivered also":** This confirms the second birth, directly linking the two women through their shared experience of childbirth in the same household. It lays the groundwork for the dispute, as both now have infants, one of whom will tragically die.
* **"and we [were] together; [there was] no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house":** This is the most crucial part of the verse. It emphatically states the absolute absence of any third party or witness. The repetition of "in the house" underscores the isolation and confinement of the setting, making it clear that the events transpired without any external observation. This declaration creates the central legal dilemma for Solomon, as he cannot rely on corroborating testimony to ascertain the truth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Setting** to establish the confined and unwitnessed nature of the events, emphasizing that the entire tragic incident occurred within the privacy of a shared dwelling, "save we two in the house." This isolated setting is crucial, as it directly leads to the central legal challenge presented to Solomon. There is an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the explicit declaration of "no stranger with us" immediately signals to the reader that a conventional resolution to the dispute will be impossible, thereby building anticipation for Solomon's extraordinary display of wisdom. Furthermore, the verse contains a subtle **Dramatic Irony**: the speaker uses this detail to bolster her seemingly credible testimony, yet the reader, knowing the outcome, understands that this very claim of isolation will ultimately be used by Solomon to expose her deception and reveal the true mother. The **Repetition** of "in the house" (`בַּבַּיִת`, _babbayit_) further emphasizes the profound isolation and lack of witnesses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, by highlighting the absence of human witnesses, powerfully underscores the theological truth of God's omniscience. While human justice systems often rely on observable facts and corroborating testimonies, there are situations where truth is hidden from human eyes, known only to those involved and, ultimately, to God. This scenario demonstrates the limitations of human wisdom and the profound need for divine insight when facts are obscured by deception. It serves as a testament to the principle that God "sees what is done in secret" ([Matthew 6:4](/matthew/6-4 "Matthew 6:4 - God Sees in Secret")), and that true justice often requires a discernment that transcends mere empirical evidence.

* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - The Eyes of the Lord")
* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality presented in 1 Kings 3:18—that a profound truth was hidden from all human eyes save two—serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity, even when no one else is watching. It challenges us to consider our own actions and words in private, knowing that while human witnesses may be absent, God's gaze is ever-present. This narrative invites us to seek wisdom beyond our own limited understanding, especially when confronted with complex situations where facts are scarce or conflicting. It encourages us to pray for discernment, much like Solomon did, trusting that God can reveal truth and guide us to just resolutions, even when conventional means fail. Ultimately, it reinforces our reliance on a God who sees all, knows all, and is the ultimate source of all true justice and wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the absence of witnesses in this verse challenge our understanding of truth and justice in everyday life?**
* **In what situations do we find ourselves needing wisdom that goes beyond observable facts or human testimony?**
* **How does the knowledge that "no stranger" was present, yet God saw all, impact our commitment to integrity in private matters?**

### FAQ
**Why is the absence of a "stranger" so important in this verse?**

Answer: The absence of a "stranger" or any third party is critically important because it highlights the complete lack of external witnesses to the events that transpired. In ancient Israelite law, as stipulated in [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Requirement for Two or Three Witnesses"), a legal charge, especially one involving a capital offense or serious dispute, typically required the testimony of "two or three witnesses." Without such corroboration, it was nearly impossible to ascertain the truth through conventional legal means. This detail in [1 Kings 3:18](/1_kings/3-18 "1 Kings 3:18 - The First Woman's Testimony") therefore sets up the profound challenge for King Solomon, forcing him to rely on extraordinary, divinely-granted wisdom rather than standard judicial procedure to uncover the truth and render a just verdict.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The scenario in [1 Kings 3:18](/1_kings/3-18 "1 Kings 3:18 - The First Woman's Testimony"), where truth is obscured by conflicting testimonies and the absence of witnesses, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Judge and discerner of hearts, Jesus Christ. While Solomon, through God's wisdom, could discern the truth in a specific case, his wisdom was a finite gift. Jesus, however, possesses inherent divine wisdom and omniscience; He "knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man" ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). Unlike Solomon, who had to devise a test to reveal the true mother, Christ knows all hidden things and will bring "every secret thing into judgment, whether it is good or whether it is evil" ([Ecclesiastes 12:14](/ecclesiastes/12-14 "Ecclesiastes 12:14 - God Will Bring Every Deed to Judgment")). Jesus is the very embodiment of God's wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")), far surpassing the wisdom of Solomon ([Matthew 12:42](/matthew/12-42 "Matthew 12:42 - The Queen of the South and Solomon")). He is the ultimate "Truth" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), who will one day expose all lies and render perfect, righteous judgment, revealing all that is hidden in darkness ([Luke 12:2-3](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2-3 - Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.