1 Kings 3:26
New International Version
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!”

New Living Translation
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!”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
But the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son, and she said, “Pardon me, my lord! Give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” But the other woman was saying, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; cut him!

NASB 1995
Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!”

NASB 1977
Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the woman whose son was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred with compassion over her son and said, “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!”

Amplified Bible
Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply moved over her son, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; cut him!

Christian Standard Bible
The woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she felt great compassion for her son. “My lord, give her the living baby,” she said, “but please don’t have him killed! ” But the other one said, “He will not be mine or yours. Cut him in two! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she felt great compassion for her son. “My lord, give her the living baby,” she said, “but please don’t have him killed!” But the other one said, “He will not be mine or yours. Cut him in two!”

American Standard Version
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, It shall be neither mine nor thine; divide it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And that woman whose son was living said to the King, because her love yearned for her son: “I beg of you, my Lord, give the child to her while he is alive, and you shall not kill him!” And this other was saying: “He shall not be mine or yours. Cut him in pieces!”

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the woman whose the living child was, answered and said to the king, (for her bowels yearned over her son) and she said, I pray thee, my lord, give her the child, and in nowise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor hers; divide it.

Contemporary English Version
"Please don't kill my son," the baby's mother screamed. "Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don't kill him." The other woman shouted, "Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby."

Douay-Rheims Bible
But the woman whose child was alive, said to the king, (for her bowels were moved upon her child,) I beseech thee, my lord, give her the child alive, and do not kill it. But the other said: Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

English Revised Version
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, Oh my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, It shall be neither mine nor thine; divide it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the woman whose son was still alive was deeply moved by her love for the child. She said to the king, "Please, sir, give her the living child. Please don't kill him!" But the other woman said, "He won't be mine or yours. Cut him [in two]."

Good News Translation
The real mother, her heart full of love for her son, said to the king, "Please, Your Majesty, don't kill the child! Give it to her!" But the other woman said, "Don't give it to either of us; go on and cut it in two."

International Standard Version
The woman whose child was still alive cried out to the king, because her heart yearned for her son. "Oh no, your majesty!" she said. "Give her the living child. Please don't kill him." But the other woman said, "Cut him in half! That way, he'll belong to neither one of us."

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then spoke the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her heart yearned upon her son, and she said: 'Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it.' But the other said: 'It shall be neither mine nor thine; divide it.'

Literal Standard Version
And the woman whose son [is] the living one says to the king (for her bowels yearned over her son), indeed, she says, “O my lord, give the living child to her, and do not put him to death at all”; and this [one] says, “Let him be neither mine or yours—cut [him].”

Majority Standard Bible
Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!”

New American Bible
The woman whose son was alive, because she was stirred with compassion for her son, said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby—do not kill it!” But the other said, “It shall be neither mine nor yours. Cut it in two!”

NET Bible
The real mother spoke up to the king, for her motherly instincts were aroused. She said, "My master, give her the living child! Whatever you do, don't kill him!" But the other woman said, "Neither one of us will have him! Let them cut him in two!"

New Revised Standard Version
But the woman whose son was alive said to the king—because compassion for her son burned within her—“Please, my lord, give her the living boy; certainly do not kill him!” The other said, “It shall be neither mine nor yours; divide it.”

New Heart English Bible
Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, "Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill it." But the other said, "It shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide it."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then spoke the woman whose the living child was to 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.

World English Bible
Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill him!” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide him.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the woman whose son is the living one saith unto the king (for her bowels yearned over her son), yea, she saith, 'O, my lord, give to her the living child, and put it not at all to death;' and this one saith, 'Let it be neither mine or thine -- cut it.'

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Judges Wisely
25and the king declared, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” 26Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!” 27Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.”…

Cross References
Genesis 43:30
Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep.

1 Kings 3:25
and the king declared, "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."

1 Kings 3:27
Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother."

Isaiah 49:15
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

Jeremiah 31:20
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD.

Hosea 11:8
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!


Treasury of Scripture

Then spoke the woman whose the living child was to the king, for her bowels yearned on 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 my nor yours, but divide it.

her bowels

Genesis 43:30
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Jeremiah 31:20
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

yearned [heb] were hot

Psalm 39:3
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

give her

Romans 1:31
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

2 Timothy 3:3
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Jump to Previous
Bowels Child Divide Heart Kill Way Yearned
Jump to Next
Bowels Child Divide Heart Kill Way Yearned
1 Kings 3
1. Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter
2. High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon
5. Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him,
10. preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor
16. Solomon's judgment makes him renowned














Verse 26. - Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels [thought by most of the ancients to be the seat of the affections, probably because of the sensations which strong emotions excite there. Cf. τὰ σπλάγχνα in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 6:12; Philippians 2:1; Philemon 1:7, 20, etc.] yearned [Heb. glowed. We speak of "glowing with pity," etc.] upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it, But the other [Heb. this] said [Heb. saying] Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. [The Hebrew is strikingly concise, "divide." We have here by far the greatest difficulty in the story. When the pretender, who has clamoured for the child, is at last offered it by its mother, she refuses the gift and heartlessly urges that it shall be cut in two. We can only account for her strange conduct on the supposition that. she caught eagerly at any way of escape from the dilemma in which she had placed herself, and thought, no doubt, that to accept his decision would be to flatter and please the king. (See Homiletics.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the woman
הָאִשָּׁה֩ (hā·’iš·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

whose
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

son
בְּנָ֨הּ (bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

was alive
הַחַ֜י (ha·ḥay)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

spoke
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king
הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she yearned
נִכְמְר֣וּ (niḵ·mə·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3648: To intertwine, contract, to shrivel, to be deeply affected with passion

with compassion
רַחֲמֶיהָ֮ (ra·ḥă·me·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7356: Compassion, the womb, a maiden

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

her son.
בְּנָהּ֒ (bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

“My lord,”
אֲדֹנִ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

she said,
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“give
תְּנוּ־ (tə·nū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

her
לָהּ֙ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

the living
הַחַ֔י (ha·ḥay)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

baby.
הַיָּל֣וּד (hay·yā·lūḏ)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

Please
בִּ֣י (bî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 994: Oh that!, with leave, if it please

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

kill him!”
תְּמִיתֻ֑הוּ (tə·mî·ṯu·hū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

But the other
וְזֹ֣את (wə·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

[woman] said,
אֹמֶ֗רֶת (’ō·me·reṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“He will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be
יִהְיֶ֖ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

mine
לִ֥י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

or
גַם־ (ḡam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

yours.
לָ֛ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

Cut him in two!”
גְּזֹֽרוּ׃ (gə·zō·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1504: To cut down, off, to destroy, divide, exclude, decide


Links
1 Kings 3:26 NIV
1 Kings 3:26 NLT
1 Kings 3:26 ESV
1 Kings 3:26 NASB
1 Kings 3:26 KJV

1 Kings 3:26 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 3:26 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 3:26 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 3:26 French Bible
1 Kings 3:26 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 3:26 Then spoke the woman whose the living (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 3:25
Top of Page
Top of Page