1 Kings 3 20

1 Kings 3:20 kjv

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.

1 Kings 3:20 nkjv

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.

1 Kings 3:20 niv

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.

1 Kings 3:20 esv

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.

1 Kings 3:20 nlt

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.

1 Kings 3 verses

1 Kings 3 20 Meaning

This verse recounts the first woman's accusation against the second woman in the famous judgment of King Solomon. It describes how, under the cover of night, the second woman stealthily exchanged her own deceased infant for the living child of the first woman, while the first woman slept. This act of hidden deception forms the core of the dispute brought before Solomon, demonstrating the profound injustice committed and the extreme vulnerability of the true mother and her child.

1 Kings 3 20 Context

1 Kings 3:20 is situated within the narrative of King Solomon's reign, specifically detailing his first demonstration of divinely-granted wisdom. Following his prayer at Gibeon where he sought an understanding heart to judge God's people (1 Ki 3:9), God bestowed upon him wisdom to discern between good and evil.

This verse recounts the key action described by one of the two prostitutes who brought their complex dispute before Solomon (1 Ki 3:16-28). The lack of witnesses and objective evidence made the case humanly unsolvable. The verse details the nocturnal act of deceit: the dead infant swap, initiating the profound challenge to Solomon's judicial ability and serving as the foundational element upon which his wisdom is revealed. Historically, kings served as the supreme arbiters of justice, especially in cases where no lower court could resolve a dispute or when extraordinary circumstances (like lack of witnesses or unusual claims) arose. Infant mortality was also tragically common in this ancient period, adding a layer of heartbreaking reality to the situation.

Word Analysis

• And she arose (ותקם - wattāqōm): This verbal form indicates deliberate, active rising. The context implies intentional, furtive action.
• at midnight (בחצי הלילה - bachatzi hal-layla): Literally "in the half of the night." Midnight signifies the darkest part of night, symbolizing a time of hiddenness, vulnerability, and covert actions. Deeds committed "at midnight" are meant to escape notice (cf. Job 24:13-16).
• and took (ותקח - wattikkah): The verb conveys a firm, active grasp or acquisition. It denotes the purposeful act of taking possession of the child.
• my son (בני - bᵊnî): The possessive pronoun "my" powerfully expresses the mother's rightful claim and deep, intimate bond with the child that was stolen from her.
• from beside me (מאצלי - mēʾeṣlî): "From my side" or "from near me." This highlights the proximity and intimacy—the child was sleeping in the mother's immediate vicinity—making the theft a profound violation of trust and personal space while she was most vulnerable in sleep.
• while your servant slept (כּי שפחתך יָשֵׁן - kī šiphḥātkā yāšēn): The speaker addresses Solomon as "your servant," appealing to his authority and acknowledging her submission. The detail "slept" emphasizes the victim's helpless state and the deceitful woman's opportunistic timing.
• and laid him (ותשכבהו - wattaskivēhū): This verb signifies "she caused him to lie down" or "she laid him." Here, "him" refers to the living son, indicating the precise moment of transfer.
• in her bosom (בחיקה - bᵊḥêqāh): The "bosom" (or lap) is a place of deep maternal closeness and care, a metaphor for intimate possession and nurturing. The act of laying the living child in her bosom (the deceitful woman's) represents the fraudulent claim to motherhood.
• and laid (ותשכב - wattaskiv): Another instance of "she laid," describing the reciprocal act of placement.
• her dead son (בנה המת - binah hammēt): Explicitly states the condition of the child. The addition "the dead one" underscores the horror of the swap – replacing life with death.
• in my bosom (בחיקי - bᵊḥêqî): "In my lap/bosom." The tragic completion of the switch; the true mother, awakening, finds death in the very place where life should be nurtured. This stark image intensifies the sense of betrayal and the profound injustice.

1 Kings 3 20 Commentary

1 Kings 3:20 is the accusation presented by the first woman, providing the crucial details of the deceitful act that sets the stage for Solomon's famous judgment. This single verse effectively conveys the calculated malevolence of the second woman's action: the clandestine timing ("at midnight"), the opportunistic vulnerability of the sleeping mother, and the shocking exchange of a dead infant for a living one. The choice of "bosom" for both the original and substituted children profoundly heightens the emotional stakes, illustrating not merely a physical swap but a perversion of the sacred maternal bond. It highlights the challenging absence of physical witnesses or tangible proof, which necessitates a deeper, divinely-granted discernment from Solomon to uncover the truth and ensure justice prevails where human sight alone would fail. This hidden act of wickedness forms the ideal scenario for God to reveal His wisdom through Solomon, bringing to light what was obscured by darkness and deceit.

Bonus SectionThe act described in this verse presented an exceptionally difficult legal challenge in ancient times, as there were no independent witnesses to verify either woman's claim. Both were marginalized in society (implied to be prostitutes, though some traditions argue this refers to keepers of an inn, their vulnerability remains), meaning their testimony alone might have carried less weight or could be easily dismissed without corroboration. This absence of external evidence compelled Solomon to resort to a test that would reveal the true mother's instinct and love, rather than relying on conventional legal proof. This highlights that while humanity often works under laws and evidence, God's justice can penetrate the heart's hidden intentions and actions, bringing truth to light through extraordinary means. This narrative serves as an early signpost of Solomon's exceptional reign, fulfilling God's promise and solidifying his reputation among the people (1 Ki 3:28).