Solomon’s wisdom rescued an innocent child and revealed the loving mother’s true identity.
“Then the king said, ‘Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.’” (1 Kings 3:27)
In this verse, Solomon, the third king of Israel (reigning approximately 970-931 BC), demonstrates divine wisdom in a dramatic dispute between two women who both claimed to be the mother of the same child. Earlier, he proposed that the baby be cut in two, each woman receiving half. His motive was not to harm the child but to reveal the true maternal bond. When the child’s rightful mother begged the king to spare the baby’s life, Solomon perceived her heartfelt compassion, concluding she was indeed the legitimate mother.
This event occurred after Solomon sought wisdom from the LORD in a dream at Gibeon. Although his royal seat was established in Jerusalem, he had gone to make sacrifices at Gibeon, roughly six miles northwest of modern-day Jerusalem. With his newfound discernment gift, Solomon proceeded to judge his nation’s cases. Here, the king’s command to spare the child illustrated not only his wise ruling but also God’s provision of a discerning spirit to guide His covenant people.
Solomon’s decision foreshadows the selfless, discernment-based leadership that believers later see modeled by Jesus, who likewise cared for the vulnerable and upheld mercy. Through this wise judgment, Solomon established early in his reign that he governed with an understanding heart, a virtue revered throughout Scripture as a mark of godly leadership.
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1 Kings 3:27 meaning
“Then the king said, ‘Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.’” (1 Kings 3:27)
In this verse, Solomon, the third king of Israel (reigning approximately 970-931 BC), demonstrates divine wisdom in a dramatic dispute between two women who both claimed to be the mother of the same child. Earlier, he proposed that the baby be cut in two, each woman receiving half. His motive was not to harm the child but to reveal the true maternal bond. When the child’s rightful mother begged the king to spare the baby’s life, Solomon perceived her heartfelt compassion, concluding she was indeed the legitimate mother.
This event occurred after Solomon sought wisdom from the LORD in a dream at Gibeon. Although his royal seat was established in Jerusalem, he had gone to make sacrifices at Gibeon, roughly six miles northwest of modern-day Jerusalem. With his newfound discernment gift, Solomon proceeded to judge his nation’s cases. Here, the king’s command to spare the child illustrated not only his wise ruling but also God’s provision of a discerning spirit to guide His covenant people.
Solomon’s decision foreshadows the selfless, discernment-based leadership that believers later see modeled by Jesus, who likewise cared for the vulnerable and upheld mercy. Through this wise judgment, Solomon established early in his reign that he governed with an understanding heart, a virtue revered throughout Scripture as a mark of godly leadership.