1 Kings 3:23

KJV

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)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 3:23 precisely articulates the seemingly irresolvable conflict at the heart of the famous legal dispute brought before King Solomon. This verse captures the identical, yet contradictory, claims of two women, each asserting ownership of the living child and accusing the other of having the dead one. It sets the stage for Solomon's profound display of God-given wisdom, highlighting the initial impasse that only divine insight could penetrate to reveal the truth and render true justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal, immediately following Solomon's profound encounter with God at Gibeon. There, Solomon, rather than asking for wealth or long life, famously requested an [understanding heart to judge God's people](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom"). God not only granted this request but promised him unparalleled wisdom, a level of insight unmatched by any king before or after him ([1 Kings 3:12](/1_kings/3-12 "1 Kings 3:12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom")). The case of the two prostitutes, each claiming the same child, serves as the very first and most dramatic public test of this divine gift. It demonstrates Solomon's unique ability to unravel complex human deception and deliver true justice, thereby validating God's promise and establishing Solomon's authority in the eyes of all Israel. The narrative flow from this verse directly leads into Solomon's ingenious and divinely inspired judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the king served as the supreme judicial authority, hearing appeals and resolving disputes that local courts could not. This case highlights the challenges of ancient jurisprudence, particularly in the absence of forensic evidence. The women are described as prostitutes, a vulnerable social class, which meant they likely had no family or community witnesses to corroborate their stories, making the case even more perplexing. The dispute over a living child was not merely about property; it was about lineage, inheritance, and the profound value placed on life and the continuation of a family line in Israelite society. Solomon's court, therefore, was not just a legal forum but a place where the very fabric of social order and justice was upheld, reflecting God's own character.

* **Key Themes:** 1 Kings 3:23 is central to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Kings and the broader biblical narrative. It starkly presents the theme of **Truth versus Deception**, where two outwardly identical claims conceal a profound lie. This highlights the critical need for **Divine Discernment**, a theme profoundly exemplified by Solomon's request for an [understanding heart](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for Discernment") and God's subsequent granting of wisdom. The verse sets the stage for the dramatic display of **Divine Wisdom in Action**, showcasing how God's insight can penetrate human pretense and reveal hidden realities. Furthermore, it underscores the **Value of Life** and the deep, innate bond of **Maternal Love**, which Solomon ingeniously uses as the ultimate test of truth, revealing the true mother as detailed in [1 Kings 3:27](/1_kings/3-27 "1 Kings 3:27 - Solomon's Judgment"). The people's reaction, fearing Solomon because they saw the wisdom of God in him ([1 Kings 3:28](/1_kings/3-28 "1 Kings 3:28 - The People's Recognition of Solomon's Wisdom")), solidifies these themes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, _wattō'mer_):** This verb, repeated for both women's claims, emphasizes the direct, declarative nature of their statements. It highlights that the dispute is not about subtle nuances but about two mutually exclusive assertions, each presented with conviction. The repetition underscores the identical structure of their claims, making it impossible to discern truth from falsehood based on words alone.
* **liveth (Hebrew, _ḥay_):** This word signifies "alive" or "living." In the context of this dispute, it carries immense weight, representing the preciousness of human life. The core of the conflict is over who possesses the "living" child, making the term central to the life-and-death stakes of the judgment.
* **dead (Hebrew, _mēt_):** The antithesis to "liveth," this term signifies "dead" or "deceased." Its stark contrast underscores the tragedy and finality associated with the lost child. The women's claims revolve around assigning the "dead" child to the other, highlighting the profound loss and the desperate attempt to avoid responsibility while claiming the living.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said the king,"**: This opening phrase indicates Solomon's active role in the judicial process. He is not merely a passive listener but takes charge, initiating the summary of the conflicting testimonies. This sets the stage for his subsequent, divinely inspired intervention.
* **"The one saith, This [is] my son that liveth, and thy son [is] the dead:"**: This clause presents the first woman's claim. She asserts ownership of the living child and, crucially, attributes the dead child to the other woman. This is a direct, unambiguous statement of her position, setting up the core of the dispute.
* **"and the other saith, Nay; but thy son [is] the dead, and my son [is] the living."**: This clause presents the second woman's equally direct and contradictory claim. Her "Nay" immediately refutes the first woman, then she reverses the attribution, claiming the living child for herself and assigning the dead child to her accuser. The parallel structure of the two claims highlights the absolute impasse Solomon faced.

#### Literary Devices
The KJV text of 1 Kings 3:23 masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten the drama and underscore the challenge facing Solomon. **Antithesis** is central, with the stark opposition of "liveth" and "dead" applied to the sons, creating an immediate and irreconcilable conflict. The **Repetition** of the phrases "my son that liveth" and "thy son is the dead" (and their inversions) emphasizes the identical structure of the women's claims, highlighting the verbal deadlock and the impossibility of discerning truth from falsehood based solely on their words. This repetition also builds dramatic tension, forcing the reader to ponder how such a stalemate could be broken. Furthermore, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony** for the reader, who knows that one woman is lying, while Solomon, at this point, must rely on divine wisdom to uncover the hidden truth. The verse also serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for Solomon's extraordinary and unexpected judgment in the verses that follow, promising a resolution that transcends ordinary human reasoning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, encapsulating the perplexing claims before Solomon, profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of God as the ultimate source of truth and justice. In a world often clouded by deception and conflicting narratives, God's wisdom is presented as the only reliable means to discern truth from falsehood. Solomon's case is a vivid demonstration that true justice is not merely about applying legal codes, but about penetrating the heart of a matter, a capability that only divine insight can provide. It underscores that God cares deeply about the vulnerable and ensures that truth prevails, even in the most obscure and challenging circumstances, reflecting His righteous character.

* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.")
* [Deuteronomy 1:16-17](/deuteronomy/1-16 "Deuteronomy 1:16-17 - And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's...")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene presented in 1 Kings 3:23 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating a complex world. We are constantly bombarded with conflicting claims, competing narratives, and situations where discerning the truth feels impossible. Solomon's example reminds us that true wisdom, especially in matters of justice and human relationships, does not originate from human intellect alone but is a divine gift. We are called to cultivate a posture of humility, recognizing our own limitations in discerning truth and actively seeking God's wisdom through prayer, the study of His Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. This discernment is crucial for making righteous decisions, fostering genuine relationships, and contributing to justice in our communities. Just as God enabled Solomon to see beyond the surface, He desires to equip us to perceive truth, expose deception, and act with integrity, trusting that His ultimate justice will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most need God's wisdom to discern truth from falsehood or to navigate complex relationships?**
* **How does Solomon's reliance on God for wisdom encourage you to approach difficult decisions or conflicts in your own life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate greater discernment and rely more fully on divine guidance?**

### FAQ
**Why is this specific case so significant for establishing Solomon's reign?**

Answer: This case is profoundly significant because it serves as the immediate and dramatic public demonstration of the divine wisdom God promised Solomon in [1 Kings 3:12](/1_kings/3-12 "1 Kings 3:12 - God's Promise to Solomon") after his humble request for an understanding heart. Before this, Solomon had secured his throne through political maneuvering and alliances, but this judicial act was his first major public display of God's favor and presence with him. It wasn't just a legal victory; it was a theological declaration. The people of Israel, as recorded in [1 Kings 3:28](/1_kings/3-28 "1 Kings 3:28 - The People's Recognition of Solomon's Wisdom"), immediately recognized that "the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment." This event cemented his authority, instilled fear and respect, and established his reputation as a king uniquely gifted by God, setting the tone for his entire reign.

**Could Solomon have used other methods to determine the truth in this dispute?**

Answer: In the context of ancient jurisprudence, without modern forensic techniques or reliable witness testimony (especially given the women's profession, which might have isolated them from community support), such a case would have been virtually impossible to resolve through conventional means. The women's claims were identical in structure and equally vehement, creating a perfect stalemate. Solomon's method was not a standard legal procedure but a divinely inspired test of character and maternal instinct. Any other "method" would likely have been based on arbitrary judgment or an inability to discern the true mother, leading to an unjust outcome. His unique approach, therefore, highlights the supernatural nature of the wisdom granted to him, demonstrating that God's insight can penetrate where human reason alone fails.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Solomon's wisdom in 1 Kings 3:23 and the subsequent judgment was extraordinary and divinely granted, it ultimately serves as a foreshadowing of the perfect and ultimate wisdom embodied in Jesus Christ. Solomon's ability to discern truth amidst deception was a limited, though profound, reflection of God's own character. Jesus, however, is not merely wise; He *is* the wisdom of God personified ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). Unlike Solomon, who needed to test the women's claims, Jesus inherently knows the hearts of all people ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus Knows What Is in Man")), requiring no external test to discern truth from falsehood. He is the true King who brings ultimate justice, not through a dramatic, singular judgment, but through His righteous reign and His atoning sacrifice. The wisdom Solomon displayed was a gift for judging the people of Israel; the wisdom of Christ is for the salvation and transformation of all humanity, revealing the Father and establishing the eternal kingdom where truth and justice reign supreme ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In Christ, the temporary, human wisdom of Solomon finds its eternal and perfect fulfillment.

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.