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1 Kings 3:23

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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.

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}.

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.'

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.’”

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

1 Kings 3:23 captures the core of the famous legal dispute brought before King Solomon, setting the stage for his extraordinary display of God-given wisdom. This verse succinctly presents the contradictory claims of the two women, each asserting ownership of the living child and accusing the other of having the dead one.

Context

This verse is central to the narrative immediately following Solomon's ascent to the throne and his profound encounter with God at Gibeon. There, rather than asking for wealth or long life, Solomon requested an "understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad." God granted him this wisdom, promising a level of insight unmatched by any king before or after him. The case of the two prostitutes, each claiming the same child, serves as the first and most dramatic public test of this divine gift, demonstrating Solomon's unique ability to unravel complex human deception and deliver true justice.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Truth and Deception: The verse highlights the stark contrast between the two women's claims. One is lying, the other is telling the truth, but their outward statements are identical in structure, making the discernment of truth exceedingly difficult without divine insight.
  • The Need for Discernment: Solomon's challenge was not just to hear testimony, but to penetrate the falsehood to find the genuine claim. This emphasizes the critical role of discernment, particularly in matters of life and death, and the limitations of human judgment without spiritual guidance.
  • Divine Wisdom in Action: This case is the primary biblical example of Solomon's God-given wisdom in judicial matters. His subsequent judgment, detailed in the following verses, reveals a profound understanding of human nature and maternal love, which only divine wisdom could provide.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text of 1 Kings 3:23 is remarkably direct and clear, mirroring the simple, yet profound, nature of the dispute. The repetition of "my son that liveth" and "thy son is the dead" underscores the absolute contradiction at the heart of the matter. There are no complex Hebrew idioms or nuanced terms here; the power lies in the stark opposition of the claims, demanding a supernatural resolution.

Practical Application

The account of Solomon's judgment, beginning with this verse, offers timeless lessons for us today:

  • Seek Wisdom from God: Just as Solomon sought wisdom from God, we are encouraged to do the same, especially when faced with difficult decisions or conflicting claims. James 1:5 reminds us: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
  • Discernment in a Complex World: We live in a world filled with conflicting narratives and claims. This story highlights the importance of not just accepting surface-level information but seeking deeper truth and relying on divine guidance to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and falsehood.
  • God's Justice Prevails: Ultimately, God's wisdom ensures that justice is served, even in the most perplexing situations. This provides comfort and assurance that God is a God of truth and righteousness, who sees beyond human pretense and reveals what is hidden. The people recognized this, as seen in 1 Kings 3:28.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

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