1 Kings 3:26

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 3:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Kings 3:26 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26Then 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then spake the woman, whose the living child [was], unto the king, etc.] In haste, and with great vehemency, lest the executioner should at once dispatch it: (for her bowels yearned upon her son); not being able to bear to see his life taken away: and she said, O my lord: or, “on me f43, my lord”; let the sin, the lie that I have told, be on me, and the punishment of it; she rather chose to be reckoned a liar, and to endure any punishment such an offence deserved, than that her child should be cut asunder: give her the living child, and in no wise slay it; being willing to part with her interest in it, rather than it should be put to death: but the other said, let it be neither mine nor…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“her bowels: Gen 43:30; Isa 49:15; Jer 31:20; Hos 11:8; Phi 1:8, Phi 2:1; Jo1 3:17 yearned: Heb. were hot, Psa 39:3 give her: Rom 1:31; Ti2 3:3 3 Kings (1 Kings) 3:28”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification