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. Elsewhere in Europe, celebrated examples include: Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Judicium Salomonis H.422, Oratorio for soloists, chorus, woodwinds, strings, and continuo. King Solomon was confused. Solomon was the son of King David and took over Israel after his father. "In the Bible's story about the Judgment of Solomon, King Solomon ruled between two women both claiming to be the mother of a baby. (1 Kings 3:3-15), From the first book of Kings, Chapter 3, this Bible story illustrates the wisdom of King Solomon as he loved the Lord and relied on Him for insight. The true mother is revealed when her motherly essence which is also stereotypical surpasses her selfish essence. A temple had not yet been built for the Lord, and so the people were still offering sacrifices at many different altars. King David slept with her - and then had Uriah killed so that they could marry and be together. [7] Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. The king declared the second woman the true mother, as a mother would even give up her baby if that was necessary to save its life, and awarded her custody. [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: [12] Behold, I have done according to your words: see, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like to you. [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. [12] And the great court round about was with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house. [15] Stuart Lasine classifies the story as a law-court riddle. SOLOMON JUDGES THE TWO MOTHERS The painting shows King Solomon shortly after he became king, at the age of 20, sitting in the Sanhedrin in the royal palace. All Israel heard of the judgment that Solomon had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king. Want the Verse of the Day sent to your inbox? Like King Solomon, the courts in England were presented with a straightforward question: To whom does this child belong? They go to Solomon for help in solving their conflict. 16 Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. During the night one of the mothers sons suffocated and died. At that point, Solomon was able to identify the true mother and he said: Give the living baby to the first woman. [12] Some think that the fresco relates directly to the biblical story,[13] while according to others it represents a parallel tradition. [19], The story has a number of parallels in folktales from various cultures. So Solomon proposes the following: He . Some consider this approach to justice anarchetypalexample of a way to really discover how well you really care for something. The first mother told of how she and the second woman had each given birth to a son, three days apart. Moderator: This is a story of two mothers who bring their case before King Solomon. Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter 2. So, he prayed to the Lord and asked for wisdom to be able to guide Gods nation in the right path (1 Kings 3:5). It was a heartrending scene: Two women stood before King Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of the same baby boy. 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. The two books of Chronicles were written after Samuel and Kings, and they were used by the chronicler both as inspired sources and historical references. But what seems to be the verdict turns out to be a clever trick which achieves its goal, and results in the recognition of the true mother, and the resolution. [4] One Indian version is a Jataka story dealing with Buddha in one of his previous incarnations as the sage Mahosadha, who arbitrates between a mother and a Yakshini who is in the shape of a woman, who kidnapped the mother's baby and claimed he was hers. 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. Following the death of King David, Solomon becomes new king of Israel and Judah. Is this action not like trying to cut in half or take away your baby? Jack Zavada. The vision? [40], Like many other women in the Hebrew Bible, the two women in this story are anonymous. [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. Narrator: King Solomon is the 4th son of King David, son of Bathsheba. Among many aspects that Solomon was well-known for, he was especially admired for his wisdom that God blessed him with. Contemporary English Version (CEV). the story of Rahab). Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - Bible Story, The Ten Commandments - Bible Verses and Importance Today, Parable of the Prodigal Son - Bible Story, The Resurrection of Jesus - Bible Story and Prophecy, 4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. She is the real mother." "So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her" (1 Kings 10:3 1 Kings 10:3And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.American King James Version). Two women come to Solomon each seeking to portray themselves as the true mother of a child presented in Solomon's court (1 Kings 3:16-28). The writer ascribes the story to Phliliskos of Miletos, living in the fourth century BC. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. When Solomon first inherited the throne . Her son was born first. Some of Solomon's most famous achievements were his building projects, particularly the temple in Jerusalem. [12], Several suggestions for the genre of the biblical story have been raised beyond its characterization as a folktale of a known type. According to the Midrash, the two women were mother- and daughter-in-law, both of whom had borne sons and whose husbands had died. The furnishings for the temple were exquisite and very costly (1 Kings 7:1-51 1 Kings 7:1-51 [1] But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house. This act foreshadowed the greatest singular weakness of the otherwise wise king. [41] The two pillars, and the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the two pillars; and the two networks, to cover the two bowls of the capitals which were on the top of the pillars; In the biblical version, the two women are identified as prostitutes, but in some Indian versions they are widows of one husband. [27] And he made ten bases of brass; four cubits was the length of one base, and four cubits the breadth thereof, and three cubits the height of it. As stated before, most of the story is reported by direct speech of the women and Solomon, with a few sentences and utterance verbs by the narrator. Solomon and the two Mothers Solomon's Famous Judgement Watch on 1 Kings 3:16- 28 16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. But God didn't blot out his writings or example, both good and bad. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Edward Lipinski suggests that the story is an example of "king's bench tales", a subgenre of the wisdom literature to which he finds parallels in Sumerian literature. King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived and also one of the most foolish. MoneyWise with Rob West & Steve Moore, King Solomon Renews His Amorous Advances American King James Version). He told the two women to come the next day and assured them that he would give his judgment the next day. Their reactions told the king all he needed to know. They each gave birth to a son around the same time. We are not given their names, as though their names are mere surplusage. After he said this, the mother of the living son said, Please, my lord, give her the living baby! High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon 5. 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). get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! In the nine chapters of 2 Chronicles that cover Solomon's 40year rule, hardly a negative word is written about him. The king's request to bring him a sword enhances the tension, as the reader wonders why it is needed. [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. [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). Connect the dots, draw what goes in the basket, and color the picture. . Solomon revealed their true feelings and relationship to the child by suggesting the baby be cut in two, each woman to receive half. . 21When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead! It was a reminder for Solomon to remain loyal and faithful to God and His laws. [3] And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. Solomon's weakness for women would be his downfall. And they brought a sword before the king.American King James Version). The detective story, as well as this biblical story, provides a comfort to this anxiety with the figure of the detective, or Solomon in this case: A master of human nature, a man who can see into the depths of one's soul and extract the truth from within it. [30] And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you. So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. [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. [59], In other instances, lawyers and legal commentators may use "split the baby" to refer to any compromise or ruling in which both sides can claim partial victory. 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. American King James Version, emphasis added throughout). 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. They live alone in a shared residence, without servants. They each gave birth to a son around the same time. Following Gressmann,[23] Gunkel speculates a possible Indian origin, on the basis that "[s]uch stories of wise judgments are the real life stuff of the Indian people", and that, in his view, "a prostitute has no reason to value a child which was not born to her"; he acknowledges, however, that the Indian versions "belong to a later period". Solomon issued his verdict: "Bring me a sword. She ended her scrutiny of him with these remarkable words: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. During the night, one of the infants was smothered and died. After Solomon became king, he eliminated all the other rulers and enemies. Solomon returns to Jerusalem, the capital of his kingdom. As Jesus Christ said, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41 Matthew 26:41Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.American King James Version). If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. 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. Real Questions. Solomon is granted supernatural wisdom. Thus Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. People went to see King Solomon because he had the wisdom of God within. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. In such problems, any unnecessary detail is usually omitted and this is why the characters in the story have no distinctive characteristics. The story is considered to be literarily unified, without significant editorial intervention. [13] And I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like to you all your days. [26] And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom. New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. PrivacyPolicyTerms ofUse. The productivity? [27] And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon. American King James Version). You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. . One of Apples earliest investors, Mike Markkula, didnt believe either one had the ability for the CEO position. [21] And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz. King Solomon Craft. Prostitutes in biblical society are considered functional widows, for they have no male patron to represent them in court and their sons are considered fatherless. But there are also examples of much less famous companies and founders that most of us probably havent heard of that have gone through similar situations. [18] And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stone squarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house. In this type of scenario, the startup was not performing good enough or fast enough (or both) in the eyes of the investors, and before they knew it, the board was nominating a new CEO usually a corporate person with whom investors were familiar to take over. And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon" (1 Kings 4:29-34 1 Kings 4:29-34 [29] And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. [25][26] The ending of the story, noting the wisdom of Solomon, is considered to be a Deuteronomistic addition to the text. [13] And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. In the second part (2328) the decision is described: the king is the major speaker and the one who directs the plot. A Greek papyrus fragment,[9] dating from the beginning of the second century AD, includes a fragmented reference to an ancient legal case which is similar to the judgment of Solomon. There, he is called upon to judge two prostitutes, both of whom claim to be the mother of the same living child. Solomon and the Moms, I Kings 3:16-28-A Mother's Day sermon by Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts. [4] And there were windows in three rows, and light was against light in three ranks. God was pleased with the new king's attitude, and appeared to him in a dream: "Ask! But when I looked at him in the light, I knew he wasn't my son. 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. I am the mother of the child". Not long ago my baby was born at home, 18and three days later her baby was born. "And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David . Give the baby to her." 28 Everyone in Israel was amazed when they heard how Solomon had made his decision. [7] Then he made a porch for the throne where he might judge, even the porch of judgment: and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other. Carole R. Fontaine, "The Bearing of Wisdom on the Shape of 2 Samuel 11-12 and 1 Kings 3", Last edited on 20 February 2023, at 13:44, Category:Paintings of the Judgement of Solomon, "No Wise King without a Wise Woman (I Kings III 1628)", "Solomon, Daniel, and the Detective Story: The Social Function of a Literary Genre", "The Judgment of Solomon, object 1 (Butlin 392) "The Judgment of Solomon", "Jewish Law Commentary/Opinion The Brilliant Wisdom of King Solomon", Stephanie E. Keer and Richard W. Naimark, Arbitrators Do Not Split-the-Baby: Empirical Evidence from International Business Arbitrations, "On 'Splitting the Baby' in Legal Discourse | OP-ED", "Beyond King Solomon's Harlots: Women in Evidence", "Abortion of narrative: a reading of the judgment of Solomon", Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, "Who Guides Whom? 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