BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Kings› Chapter 3› Verse 21

1 Kings 3:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 3:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I did bear.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I did bear.
1 Kings 3:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And it came to pass the third day after I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also; and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.
19And this woman`s child died in the night, because she lay upon it.
20And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thy handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
21And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I did bear.
22And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.
23Then 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.
24And the king said, Fetch me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
← 1 Kings 3:201 Kings 3:22 →
← Full Chapter 3 1 Kings Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, etc.] As she used to do: behold, it was dead; her own child, as she thought at first: but when I had considered it in the morning; it was towards morning, or just at break of day, when she arose to suckle it, and found it dead: but when it was broad day, and the light of the morning was increased, she more narrowly viewed it, and by its features, or some marks she had observed; behold, it was not my son which I did bear: she was fully satisfied it was not her own child, but another.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“give: Gen 21:7; Sa1 1:23; Lam 4:3, Lam 4:4 3 Kings (1 Kings) 3:22”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification