1 Kings 3 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Kings 3 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter marks a turning point in Solomon's reign, shifting from his consolidation of power to his renowned wisdom and God's abundant blessings.

Key Events:

Solomon's Marriage and Sacrifice: Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter, further cementing his political alliances. He loves the Lord but also continues sacrifices and burnt offerings at high places, a practice not fully aligned with God's law.
God's Appearance and Offer: The Lord appears to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon, a significant religious site. God invites Solomon to ask for anything he desires.
Solomon's Humble Request: Instead of riches, power, or long life, Solomon humbly asks for wisdom and discernment to govern God's people justly. This request pleases God immensely.
God's Generous Response: Impressed by Solomon's choice, God grants him not only unparalleled wisdom but also riches, honor, and a long life, surpassing all other kings.
The Test of Solomon's Wisdom: Two women, both prostitutes, come before Solomon with a dilemma. They both had babies, but one died during the night. Now each claims the surviving child is hers. Solomon's wise judgment, threatening to cut the baby in half, reveals the true mother and showcases his God-given wisdom.
Solomon's Growing Reputation: The story of Solomon's wisdom spreads throughout Israel, solidifying his authority and the people's respect for his leadership.

Themes:

God's Sovereignty: God chooses and equips leaders, even those with flaws like Solomon.
Wisdom over Wealth: True wisdom, seeking God's guidance above all else, brings greater rewards than material possessions.
Justice and Compassion: Solomon's judgment reflects God's desire for fairness and protection of the vulnerable.
Blessings for Obedience: While not perfect, Solomon's initial obedience to God's law results in abundant blessings for himself and the nation.

Foreshadowing:

The chapter hints at potential conflicts arising from Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter and his tolerance of worship at high places, setting the stage for future challenges to his faith and leadership.

1 Kings 3 bible study ai commentary

This chapter marks the promising commencement of Solomon's reign, defined by his celebrated request for wisdom. It establishes the ideal for an Israelite king: one who depends on God for the discernment needed to rule justly. Solomon receives this divine wisdom, along with riches and honor, and immediately demonstrates its practical application in a famous legal case. However, the chapter subtly introduces elements of compromise—a political marriage to Egypt and worship at high places—that foreshadow the challenges and ultimate failure of his later reign. It presents a golden moment, infused with both divine blessing and human fragility.

1 Kings 3 context

The narrative occurs after Solomon has consolidated his power by eliminating rivals like Adonijah and Joab (1 Kings 2). The Israelite kingdom is at peace and gaining international influence. A central, permanent temple for Yahweh has not yet been built, a key theological point explaining the temporary legitimacy of worship at various "high places." This era represents a transition from David's war-torn kingdom to an age of administrative and architectural prowess under a new king whose reign is just beginning.

1 Kings 3:1

And Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem.

In-depth-analysis

Marriage Alliance: This was a common and pragmatic political strategy in the Ancient Near East to secure borders and foster trade. Marrying the daughter of a Pharaoh, however, was exceptionally rare for a foreign ruler and signals the immense prestige and power of Israel under Solomon.
Pharaoh's Daughter: Her specific identity is not mentioned, which is unusual for Egyptian records, but the act itself signifies Egypt's recognition of Israel as a significant regional power.
Spiritual Compromise: While politically astute, this action stands in direct tension with God's law. It introduces a foreign, idolatrous influence into the royal court, a seed that will grow into a major problem.
City of David: She was temporarily housed in the older part of Jerusalem while Solomon’s grand construction projects, including his palace and the Temple, were underway. This points to the preliminary stage of his grand vision.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 17:17: 'And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away...' (This verse directly warns future kings against the exact path Solomon begins here).
1 Kings 11:1-2: 'Now King Solomon loved many foreign women... from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the people of Israel, "You shall not enter into marriage with them... for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.' (Shows the ultimate and tragic fulfillment of the warning implicit in 3:1).
2 Chronicles 8:11: 'Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the City of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, "My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, for the places to which the ark of the Lord has come are holy."' (Shows Solomon's later awareness of a spiritual conflict, even if his solution was separation, not obedience).

Cross references

Deut 7:3-4 (Prohibition of intermarriage with Canaanites); Exod 34:16 (Warning that foreign wives lead to idolatry); Neh 13:26 (Nehemiah cites Solomon's sin with foreign women as a cautionary tale).

1 Kings 3:2-3

The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord. Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.

In-depth-analysis

High Places (bāmôt): These were local, open-air shrines, often on hilltops. Before the Temple, they were used for Yahweh worship (e.g., by Samuel), but they were intrinsically linked with Canaanite pagan practice and would later become centers of idolatry.
A Necessary Evil?: The author provides the reason—"no house had yet been built"—presenting it as a temporary necessity. However, it’s a tolerated disobedience.
A Divided Heart: The text creates a stark contrast: "Solomon loved the LORD... only he sacrificed at the high places." This classic biblical "but" or "only" introduces the critical flaw in an otherwise positive character assessment. It highlights a syncretistic tendency and a piety that is sincere but compromised.
Statutes of David: Solomon’s faithfulness is measured against the standard of his father, David, who was devoted to God though also deeply flawed. This comparison will be a recurring metric for future kings of Judah.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 12:2-5: 'You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations... served their gods... You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way. But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose.' (The direct command that makes the "high places" problematic).
2 Kings 23:5, 8: 'And he deposed the idolatrous priests... who made offerings in the high places... And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and defiled the high places...' (Josiah’s reforms demonstrate how entrenched this problem, begun here, became).
John 4:20-21: '"Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father."' (Shows the ultimate fulfillment where true worship is not tied to a physical place but to spirit and truth).

Cross references

Lev 17:3-4 (Centralization of sacrifice); 1 Sam 9:12 (Pre-temple use of high places); 1 Kgs 15:14 (Asa fails to remove high places); 2 Chr 33:17 (Even after Manasseh's repentance, the people continued sacrificing at high places).

Polemics: This serves as a subtle polemic against the decentralized worship common in Canaanite religion. The author, likely writing during or after the exile, knows this syncretism was Israel’s downfall and flags it as a problem from the very beginning of the "golden age."

1 Kings 3:4-5

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."

In-depth-analysis

Gibeon: This was a significant site; the Mosaic Tabernacle and the bronze altar were located there at this time (2 Chr 1:3-6). This context makes Solomon’s choice of this specific "high place" more understandable and significant.
A Thousand Burnt Offerings: An act of extravagant royal piety and immense expense. It demonstrates both Solomon's great wealth and his desire to honor God on a grand scale, far surpassing ordinary worship.
A Dream by Night: In the Bible, dreams are a common medium for divine revelation, especially at pivotal moments. This is not just a psychological event but a direct encounter with God.
"Ask what I shall give you": This is God's sovereign and gracious offer. It functions as a test of Solomon’s character and priorities. His response will define the nature of his reign.

Bible references

2 Chronicles 1:3-7: '...for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses... had made in the wilderness, was there... In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”' (A parallel account confirming the details).
Genesis 28:12-15: 'And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder... And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord...”' (Jacob’s dream at Bethel is another foundational story of a divine encounter and promise at a specific place).
Matthew 7:7: 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find...' (Jesus universalizes the principle of coming to God with requests, trusting in His good will).

Cross references

Num 12:6 (God reveals himself in dreams); Gen 15:1 (Abram's vision); Heb 11:6 (God rewards those who seek Him).

1 Kings 3:6-9

And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"

In-depth-analysis

v. 6 - Foundation in Covenant: Solomon begins not with himself, but by acknowledging God's ḥeseḏ (covenant loyalty, steadfast love) toward his father, David. He frames his own existence as king as an extension of God’s faithfulness.
v. 7 - Posture of Humility: "I am but a little child." Solomon was likely around 20 years old. This is not a literal statement of age but a figurative expression of his feeling of inadequacy and dependence on God for the massive task ahead. "Go out or come in" is a Hebrew idiom for leadership and daily responsibilities.
v. 8 - Acknowledging God's People: He sees the people not as his own subjects but as "your people whom you have chosen." This reflects a theocratic ideal: the king is merely a steward ruling on God's behalf.
v. 9 - The Request:
- Word: He asks for a lēḇ šōmēaʿ—literally a "listening heart" or "hearing heart." This is far more than intellectual knowledge. It implies a heart that is receptive to God's guidance, obedient to His law, and discerning in matters of justice.
- Purpose: The wisdom is not for personal enrichment but specifically "to govern your people" and "discern between good and evil." It is a practical, judicial wisdom for the sake of others.

Bible references

Proverbs 2:1-6: 'My son, if you receive my words... then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom...' (The book of Proverbs, largely attributed to Solomon, expands on this theme of seeking and receiving divine wisdom).
James 1:5: 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.' (The New Testament echoes the principle of asking God for wisdom with the expectation of a generous response).
Isaiah 11:2-3: '[On the messianic king] And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding... and his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see...' (The ideal messianic king possesses the very discerning spirit Solomon asks for).

Cross references

Deut 4:29 (Promise to those who seek God); 1 Chr 22:12 (David's prayer for Solomon to have wisdom); Ps 72 (A royal psalm praying for a king to have God's justice).

1 Kings 3:10-15

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days." And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream.

In-depth-analysis

v. 10 - Pleasing God: Solomon’s selfless and service-oriented request was aligned with God's own character and purpose for the kingdom, hence it "pleased the Lord."
v. 11 - The Contrast: God explicitly contrasts Solomon’s request with the typical desires of earthly kings: long life (power), riches (security), and military victory ("the life of your enemies"). This highlights the unique nature of Solomon's heart at this moment.
v. 12-13 - The Abundant Answer: God grants the request in superlative terms ("none like you has been before... or shall be after") and then adds the very things Solomon did not ask for: riches and honor. The gift is both specific and overflowing.
v. 14 - Conditional Blessing: The promise of a long life is conditional: "If you will walk in my ways." This is a crucial element of the covenant and a foreshadowing of Solomon's eventual failure. He received wisdom, riches, and honor unconditionally for his reign, but his personal longevity and dynasty depended on his obedience.
v. 15 - The Aftermath: Solomon returns to Jerusalem and worships before the Ark of the Covenant, moving from the "high place" back to the authorized center of worship. This shows an immediate right response.

Bible references

Matthew 6:33: 'But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.' (This is the ultimate articulation of the principle seen here: when one prioritizes God's kingdom, material needs and blessings follow).
Ephesians 3:20: 'Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think...' (God’s response to Solomon is a perfect Old Testament example of this truth).
1 Kings 11:9-11: 'And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord... Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, "Since this has been your mind... I will surely tear the kingdom from you..."' (Shows the tragic consequence of Solomon failing to meet the condition laid out in v. 14).

Cross references

Prov 3:16 (Wisdom has long life and riches in her hands); Mal 3:10 (God's promise to open the windows of heaven); Mk 10:29-30 (Jesus' promise of abundant return for those who leave things for his sake).

1 Kings 3:16-28

Then two prostitutes came to the king... [The case of the living child and the dead child is presented]... Then the king said, "Bring me a sword."... "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other." But the woman whose son was alive said to the king... "Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death."... Then the king answered... "Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother." And all Israel heard of the judgment... and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

In-depth-analysis

The Litigants: The choice of two prostitutes is significant. They are marginalized, with no male advocate and low social standing. A just king, endowed with God's wisdom, ensures justice even for the lowest in society.
The Dilemma: It is a "he said, she said" case with no witnesses or evidence. It is a humanly unsolvable problem designed to showcase a wisdom that goes beyond mere legal process.
The "Sword" Test: The king’s command to divide the child was not a genuine intent to kill, but a brilliant psychological test. It was designed to bypass the lies and reveal the true maternal heart.
Maternal Compassion (raḥămîm): The true mother's response is driven by raḥămîm, a deep, gut-level compassion. The Hebrew word is related to reḥem (womb). Her love would rather see her son live in another's arms than die. The false mother’s response is driven by envy and spite: "It shall be neither mine nor yours; divide it."
The Verdict and its Impact: Solomon's judgment revealed the truth not through evidence, but through character. This had two effects:
1. Justice: The right mother and child were reunited.
2. Validation: The nation witnessed tangible proof that "the wisdom of God was in him." It established his authority and their confidence in his rule.

Bible references

Hebrews 4:12: 'For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit... and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.' (Solomon’s method mimics how God’s wisdom reveals the heart's true intentions).
Luke 12:57: 'And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?' (Jesus often challenged people to use godly discernment in a similar, though less dramatic, fashion).
John 2:24-25: 'But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.' (Jesus represents the perfect fulfillment of this divine wisdom, knowing the hearts of all people perfectly).

Cross references

Prov 25:2 (It is the glory of kings to search out a matter); Isa 11:3-4 (The Messiah will judge with righteousness for the poor); Deut 10:18 (God executes justice for the fatherless and the widow).

1 Kings chapter 3 analysis

The Paradox of Solomon's Piety: The chapter brilliantly holds in tension Solomon's genuine love for God and his request for a servant's heart with his pragmatic, worldly compromises. The marriage to Pharaoh's daughter and the worship at high places are not glossed over; they are stated as facts that exist alongside his devotion, setting up the central conflict of his entire reign.
Wisdom (Ḥokmâ) Defined: Biblical wisdom is shown to be not just high IQ or cleverness, but a gift from God for a specific purpose: righteous governance and moral discernment ("to discern between good and evil"). It is relational and practical, immediately demonstrated in a real-life legal case involving the most vulnerable of society.
A "Greater Than Solomon": Solomon's wisdom, though immense, was finite and ultimately failed him because of disobedience. This sets a trajectory that points toward a future king who would perfectly embody divine wisdom. Jesus Christ is presented as the one "greater than Solomon" (Matt 12:42), whose wisdom is perfect and whose obedience is complete.
Typology of Kingship: Solomon's request and God's response establish the Old Testament ideal for a king. He is to be a vice-regent, dependent on God, ruling for the good of God's people, and executing justice. His story becomes the template against which all subsequent kings are measured, and most are found wanting.

1 Kings chapter 3 summary

Solomon begins his reign with a questionable political marriage but demonstrates profound spiritual desire by asking God for a "listening heart" to govern justly. God grants this wish extravagantly, adding unparalleled riches and honor. Solomon’s divine wisdom is immediately proven in a famous judgment between two prostitutes, confirming to all of Israel that God's wisdom was with their new king. The chapter captures a moment of immense promise, while subtly hinting at future trouble.

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1 Kings chapter 3 kjv

¹ And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
² Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.
³ And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
⁴ And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
⁵ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
⁶ And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
⁷ And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
⁸ And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
⁹ Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
¹⁰ And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
¹¹ And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
¹² Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
¹³ And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
¹⁴ And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
¹⁵ And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
¹⁶ Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
¹⁷ And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
¹⁸ 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.
¹⁹ And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
²⁰ And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
²¹ And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
²² And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.
²³ 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.
²⁴ And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
²⁵ And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
²⁶ Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
²⁷ Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
²⁸ And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

1 Kings chapter 3 nkjv

¹ Now Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and married Pharaoh's daughter; then he brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall all around Jerusalem.
² Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.
³ And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
⁴ Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
⁵ At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask! What shall I give you?"
⁶ And Solomon said: "You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
⁷ Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
⁸ And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted.
⁹ Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
¹⁰ The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
¹¹ Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,
¹² behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
¹³ And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
¹⁴ So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."
¹⁵ Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
¹⁶ Now two women who were harlots came to the king, and stood before him.
¹⁷ And one woman said, "O my lord, this woman and I dwell in the same house; and I gave birth while she was in the house.
¹⁸ Then it happened, the third day after I had given birth, that this woman also gave birth. And we were together; no one was with us in the house, except the two of us in the house.
¹⁹ And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him.
²⁰ So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from my side, while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
²¹ And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne."
²² Then the other woman said, "No! But the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son." And the first woman said, "No! But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son." Thus they spoke before the king.
²³ And the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, 'No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.' "
²⁴ Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword before the king.
²⁵ And the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other."
²⁶ Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, "O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!" But the other said, "Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him."
²⁷ So the king answered and said, "Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother."
²⁸ And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

1 Kings chapter 3 niv

¹ Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the LORD, and the wall around Jerusalem.
² The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the LORD.
³ Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
⁴ The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
⁵ At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
⁶ Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
⁷ "Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.
⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.
⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
¹¹ So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,
¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for?both wealth and honor?so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.
¹⁴ And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
¹⁵ Then Solomon awoke?and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord's covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
¹⁶ Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.
¹⁷ One of them said, "Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me.
¹⁸ The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.
¹⁹ "During the night this woman's son died because she lay on him.
²⁰ So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast.
²¹ The next morning, I got up to nurse my son?and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't the son I had borne."
²² The other woman said, "No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours." But the first one insisted, "No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine." And so they argued before the king.
²³ The king said, "This one says, 'My son is alive and your son is dead,' while that one says, 'No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.'?"
²⁴ Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king.
²⁵ He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."
²⁶ The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!" But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"
²⁷ Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother."
²⁸ When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

1 Kings chapter 3 esv

¹ Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem.
² The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD.
³ Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.
⁴ And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
⁵ At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."
⁶ And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
⁷ And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.
⁸ And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.
⁹ Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
¹⁰ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
¹¹ And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
¹² behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
¹³ I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.
¹⁴ And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."
¹⁵ And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
¹⁶ Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.
¹⁷ The one woman said, "Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house.
¹⁸ Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house.
¹⁹ And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him.
²⁰ And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast.
²¹ When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne."
²² But the other woman said, "No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours." The first said, "No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine." Thus they spoke before the king.
²³ Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; and the other says, 'No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'"
²⁴ And the king said, "Bring me a sword." So a sword was brought before the king.
²⁵ And the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other."
²⁶ Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, "Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death." But the other said, "He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him."
²⁷ Then the king answered and said, "Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother."
²⁸ And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

1 Kings chapter 3 nlt

¹ Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the LORD and the wall around the city.
² At that time the people of Israel sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship, for a temple honoring the name of the LORD had not yet been built.
³ Solomon loved the LORD and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship.
⁴ The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings.
⁵ That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"
⁶ Solomon replied, "You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.
⁷ "Now, O LORD my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around.
⁸ And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted!
⁹ Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"
¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.
¹¹ So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies ?
¹² I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!
¹³ And I will also give you what you did not ask for ? riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!
¹⁴ And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life."
¹⁵ Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord's Covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet.
¹⁶ Some time later two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled.
¹⁷ "Please, my lord," one of them began, "this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house.
¹⁸ Three days later this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there were only two of us in the house.
¹⁹ "But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it.
²⁰ Then she got up in the night and took my son from beside me while I was asleep. She laid her dead child in my arms and took mine to sleep beside her.
²¹ And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't my son at all."
²² Then the other woman interrupted, "It certainly was your son, and the living child is mine." "No," the first woman said, "the living child is mine, and the dead one is yours." And so they argued back and forth before the king.
²³ Then the king said, "Let's get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other.
²⁴ All right, bring me a sword." So a sword was brought to the king.
²⁵ Then he said, "Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!"
²⁶ Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, "Oh no, my lord! Give her the child ? please do not kill him!" But the other woman said, "All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!"
²⁷ Then the king said, "Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!"
²⁸ When all Israel heard the king's decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.