He is a Senior Writer, interviewer, and editor for Beyond TodayMagazine and has taughtSpeech Communication for UCGs ministerial online program and the Book of Revelation for ABC. Apart from this clear twofold division, suggestions have been raised as to the plot structure and the literary structure of the story and its internal relations.[33]. At the beginning of his reign, King Solomon felt unqualified to lead Israel and become their judge. [1][27], Some scholars consider the story an originally independent unit, integrated into its present context by an editor. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD: The first died, but the next one, Solomon, became king of Israel (1 Chronicles 3:5; 29:28). [17] And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. Solomon returns to Jerusalem, the capital of his kingdom. She is not the mother. One day Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, came to see Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. Cut him in two (verse 26). Solomon had so much but lacked one crucial ingredient: the will and character to do what he knew was right. Frederick E. Brenk, "Greek, Greeks; C. Religion". [17] And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the capitals which were on the top of the pillars; seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital. A different opinion is held by Eli Yassif, who thinks the author of the Book of Kings did not attribute the story to Solomon on his own behalf, but the attribution to Solomon had already developed in preliterary tradition. 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. . [32] And he spoke three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. Telling the Truth - Stuart, Jill & Pete Briscoe, Defiance: A Biblical Warning Solomon ascended the throne while still a youth, as he attests of himself (v. 7): "but I am a young lad, with no experience in leadership." The judgment of the prostitutes demonstrated to all that, despite his tender age, he was capable of judging the people wisely. But the second mother's words were chilling: "Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him" (verse 26). 16One day two women[a] came to King Solomon, 17and one of them said: Your Majesty, this woman and I live in the same house. Give the baby to her." 28 Everyone in Israel was amazed when they heard how Solomon had made his decision. King Solomon did not hesitate but gave his verdict saying: Bring me a sword. [6] And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom. . When the first mother arose in the morning to nurse her son, she found the boy deadbut on closer examination discovered it was the other mother's child. He let them know that he had heard and understood what they were saying. Real life situations are not so easy. 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. Solomon revealed their true feelings and relationship to the child by suggesting the baby be cut in two, each woman to receive half. 22No! the other woman shouted. It was a heartrending scene: Two women stood before King Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of the same baby boy. The first case that comes to Solomon for judgment is a real bizarre one. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. [27] And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon. the story of Rahab). [25] It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above on them, and all their hinder parts were inward. One of the babies had died, and each claimed the remaining boy as her own. [31], In its broader context, the Judgment of Solomon forms part of the account of Solomon's reign, generally conceived as a distinct segment in the Book of Kings, encompassing chapters 311 in 1 Kings; some include in it also chapters 12, while others think that these chapters originally ended the account of David's reign in 2 Samuel. However, in regard to running a business, neither one of the Steves had any real experience. Solomon asked for wisdom, and it brought him all the other blessings of life. The narrative of the King and the Two Prostitutes (1 Kgs 3:16-27) presents the reader with a riddle to identify the true mother of the living child. American King James Version, emphasis added throughout). 17The one woman said, Pardon me, my lord: [a]this woman and I live in the same house; and I gave birth to a child [b]while she was in the house. [34] However, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: [25] And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. of God's offer was conditional: Solomon must not turn from His laws. The child was returned to its rightful mother, justice was given, and Solomons fame for wisdom and judgment was confirmed for all time to come. [28][29] Solomon's name is not mentioned in the story and he is simply called "the king". (1702). As her brother-in-law was the living child, she was required to marry him when he came of age, or wait the same amount of time to be released and remarry. So, the mother of the dead son switched her dead son with the living one of the other woman. The king's request to bring him a sword enhances the tension, as the reader wonders why it is needed. (i) decided to give the baby up for adoption. King Solomon & the Two Mothers - Story - YouTube 0:00 / 4:11 King Solomon & the Two Mothers - Story Burglish - English 12.9K subscribers 3.3K views 11 months ago Find out the. Some consider this approach to justice an archetypal example of an impartial judge displaying wisdom in making a ruling. It is speculated their names have not been mentioned so that they would not overshadow Solomon's wisdom, which is the main theme of the story. The women had lived in the same house and had given . She is his mother. 28When all Israel heard about the judgment which the king had [h]handed down, they feared the king, because (B)they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to [i]administer justice. [17] And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether, Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. Solomon's judgment makes him renowned Pulpit Commentary Verse 25. [5] For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Once themothers revealed their true feelings, Solomon could discern the true mother from the fraud. For the plot structure see the commentaries, and also Bezalel Porten, "The Structure and Theme of the Solomon Narrative (I Kings 3-11)". Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. God gifted him with unsurpassed wisdom, which Solomon squandered by disobeying God's commandments. 20Then while I was still asleep, she got up and took my son out of my bed. Solomon and the Moms, I Kings 3:16-28-A Mother's Day sermon by Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts. The story is considered to be literarily unified, without significant editorial intervention. Like King Solomon, the courts in England were presented with a straightforward question: To whom does this child belong? Thus, the reader is unable to determine whether the account given by the plaintiff is true or false, and he confronts, along with Solomon, a juridical-detective riddle. [11] So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. One of Apples earliest investors, Mike Markkula, didnt believe either one had the ability for the CEO position. 27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. In Greys Anatomy the story is told by Meridith Grey in the beginning of the episode Mama Tried. [44] And one sea, and twelve oxen under the sea; In the biblical version, the two women are identified as prostitutes, but in some Indian versions they are widows of one husband. She had five sons with King David. (Hindi). But we all recognize the famous story and know the king to be Solomon. The wisdom God has given Solomon enables him to judge correctly The lying daughter-in-law was obliged by the laws of Yibbum to marry her brother-in-law unless released from the arrangement through a formal ceremony. Each of them was claiming herself as the baby's mother. Then he thought for a while. Fontaine, Carole R., "A Response to 'The Bearing of Wisdom'", in Athalya Brenner (ed.). At that time two women entered into the court with a baby. Two women each claimed an infant as their own, so Solomon ordered it cut in two. 1 Kings 3 1. It clarifies why the women live alone, gave birth alone and were alone during the alleged switch of the babies;[42] The lack of witnesses seems to create a legal impasse that only the wise king can solve. At that point, Solomon was able to identify the true mother and he said: Give the living baby to the first woman. The king puzzled for some time for what to do though he was reputed for his wisdom and fair judgment. [3] And the LORD said to him, I have heard your prayer and your supplication, that you have made before me: I have hallowed this house, which you have built, to put my name there for ever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. The two mothers lived in the same house, where each mother cared for an infant son. [60][61], The expression "Solomonic Judgment" exists in many cultures with a Judeo-Christian background, and is often used as a comment on remarkable verdicts. The major overt purpose of the account of Solomon's reign, to which the Judgment of Solomon belongs as stated above, is to glorify King Solomon, and his wisdom is one of the account's dominant themes. 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. Not long ago my baby was born at home. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. The exceptions are: The first two chapters (1 Kings 12) which, according to many scholars portray a dubious image of Solomon, and as stated above, are sometimes ascribed to a separate work; and the last chapter in the account (11), which describes Solomon's sins in his old age. With this strategy, he was able to discern the fraudulent mother as the woman who entirely approved of this proposal, while the actual mother begged that the sword might be sheathed and the child committed to the care of her rival. After king Solomon had listened to both mothers, he requested for a sword to divide the living baby between the 2 women. "And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David . Following the death of King David, Solomon becomes new king of Israel and Judah. [6] Another version appears in the Chinese drama The Chalk Circle (in which version the judge draws a circle on the ground),[7] which has spread worldwide, many versions and reworkings being made, among them The Caucasian Chalk Circle, a play by Bertolt Brecht. Earlier Solomon had disregarded God's instruction when he had married the Egyptian Pharaoh's daughter. The story of Solomon's judgment between the two mothers was not written to admire his wisdom, but to testify of God and teach us something spiritual. [19] The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. James A. Montgomery and Henry Snyder Gehman. [24] And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. [6] And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim. Calling for a sword, Solomon declared his judgment: the live and dead babies would be cut in two, each woman to receive two halves. He decided to solve the problem technically. 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 now do according to your word. 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. The Judgement of Solomon is a story from the Hebrew Bible in which Solomon ruled between two women both claiming to be the mother of a child. king solomon judges two mothers. PrivacyPolicyTerms ofUse. As prostitutes, they lack male patronage and have to take care of themselves in a patriarchal society. By the end of the story, Solomon reveals the identity of the true mother. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give you. 23Then the king said, [d]The one says, This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one; and [e]the other says, No! [20] As the nations which the LORD destroys before your face, so shall you perish; because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God. Salem Media Group. After he said this, the mother of the living son said, Please, my lord, give her the living baby! American King James Version). [15] For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about. True to His word, God had blessed Solomon with great abundance because he had honored Him. There, he is called upon to judge two prostitutes, both of whom claim to be the mother of the same living child. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. [21] And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. 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. "Give the first woman the living child," he ordered, "and by no means kill him; she is his mother" (1 Kings 3:27 1 Kings 3:27Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.American King James Version). [29] And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: American King James Version). God gave Solomon peace with King Hiram of Lebanon, and Hiram supplied Solomon with a seemingly endless supply of cedar and cypress logs (1 Kings 5:10 1 Kings 5:10So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.American King James Version). [4] And there were windows in three rows, and light was against light in three ranks. God warned that when human beings are blessed, they should not forget who provides such blessings (Deuteronomy 8:11-20 Deuteronomy 8:11-20 [11] Beware that you forget not the LORD your God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command you this day: [14], Scholars have pointed out that the story resembles the modern detective story genre. 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. [47] And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out. [23] And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. 16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. [12] And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not. [16] Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that worked in the work. Moderator: This is a story of two mothers who bring their case before King Solomon. The women had agreed to cook and eat the son of one woman, and on the other day to do the same with the son of the other woman; but after they had eaten the first woman's son, the other woman hid her own son. [37], According to Marvin Sweeney, in its original context, as part of the Deuteronomistic history, the story exalted Solomon as a wise ruler and presented him as a model to Hezekiah. The two mothers lived in the same house, where each mother cared for an infant son. One mother did not contest the ruling, declaring that if she could not have the baby then neither of them could, but the other begged Solomon, "Give the baby to her, just don't kill him!". [30] And every base had four brazen wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners thereof had supports: under the laver were supports molten, at the side of every addition. American King James Version). 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." All rights reserved. He told the two women to come the next day and assured them that he would give his judgment the next day. They live alone in a shared residence, without servants. [22] And on the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. See in detail: Daniel J. Hays, "Has the Narrator Come to Praise Solomon or to Bury Him? Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard" (1 Kings 3:6-7 1 Kings 3:6-7 [6] And Solomon said, You have showed to your servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. . The second mother accidentally laid on her son while they slept, and he died. [30] And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: The two mothers lived in the same house, where each. All Israel heard of Solomon's discernment in this case, a judgment that amply demonstrated his great wisdom. The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones" (1 Kings 10:26-27 1 Kings 10:26-27 [26] And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. Bathsheba has often been . One of the babies died, and each woman identified the remaining baby as her own." Quoted source 18And it happened on the third day after I gave birth, that this woman also gave birth to a child, and we were together. In the first part (verses 1622) the case is described: The two women introduce their arguments and, at this point, no response from the king is recorded. It teaches us our true mother, God the Mother. King Solomon was faced with a most difficult case. Give the baby to her!" But the other woman said, "Neither of us will have him. During the night one of the mothers sons suffocated and died. [9] And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold on other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore has the LORD brought on them all this evil. The story recounts that two mothers living in the same house, each the mother of an infant son, came to King Solomon. [43] Solomon is depicted as a king accessible to all of his subjects, even those in the margins of society. King Solomon was the son of David and the third king of Israel. [51], As mentioned before, many scholars have compared the story to the modern genre of detective story. Solomon issued his verdict: "Bring me a sword. The sage announced a tug of war, drawing a line on the ground and asking the two to stand on opposite sides of it, one holding the baby's feet, the other his hands the one who pulled the baby's whole body beyond the line would get to keep him. [8] And your servant is in the middle of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to render justice.2 In this story, two women come to the king. Each woman had a baby but during the night one of the babies died. [32] And under the borders were four wheels; and the axletrees of the wheels were joined to the base: and the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit. [42] The women's designation as prostitutes links the story to the common biblical theme of God as the protector of the weak, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows" (Psalms 68:5). [14] He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. A sword was brought, and Solomon ordered. 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