1Ki 3:16-28 | TSK | e4.org | two women ; ; harlots The word zanoth , rendered harlots, is here translated by the Targumist, the best judge in this case, pundekon , "tavern-keepers." See note on , and see note on . Had these women been harlots, it is not likely that they would have dared to appear before Solomon; nor is it likely that such persons would have been permitted in the reign of David. Their husbands might at this time have been following their necessary occupations in distant parts. stood , ;

‏ 1 Kings 3:16-28

two women Lev 19:29; Deut 23:17; Josh 2:1

harlots The word zanoth, rendered harlots, is here translated by the Targumist, the best judge in this case, pundekon, "tavern-keepers." See note on Josh 2:1, and see note on Judg 11:1. Had these women been harlots, it is not likely that they would have dared to appear before Solomon; nor is it likely that such persons would have been permitted in the reign of David. Their husbands might at this time have been following their necessary occupations in distant parts.

stood Exod 18:13, Exod 18:16; Num 27:2

O my lord Gen 43:20; Rom 13:7

midnight Job 24:13-17; Ps 139:11; Matt 13:25; John 3:20

took 1Kgs 3:21

give Gen 21:7; 1Sam 1:23; Lam 4:3-4

Nay 1Kgs 3:23-24

Divide This was apparently a very strange decision; but Solomon saw that the only way to discover the real mother was by the affection and tenderness should would necessarily shew to her offspring. The plan was tried, and succeeded; and it was a proof of his sound judgment, penetration, and acquaintance with the human heart, or rather, of his extraordinary and supernatural wisdom. See note on 1Kgs 3:28. The two following instances are in some faint manner to be compared to Solomon's decision, inasmuch as they also work upon the human sympathies. Suetonius, in his Life of the emperor Claudian, tells us, that this emperor discovered a woman to be the real mother of a young man, whom she refused to acknowledge, by commanding her to marry him, the proofs being doubtful on both sides; for, rather than commit incest, she confessed the truth. Diodorus Siculus also informs us, that Ariopharnes, king of Thrace, being appointed to decided between three young men, each of whom professed to be the son of the deceased king of the Cimmerians, and claimed the succession, discovered the real son by ordering each to shoot an arrow into the dead body of the king. Two of them did this without hesitation; but the real son of the deceased monarch refused. Prov 25:8

her bowels Gen 43:30; Isa 49:15; Jer 31:20; Hos 11:8; Phil 1:8, Phil 2:1; 1John 3:17

yearned Heb. were hot, Ps 39:3

give her Rom 1:31; 2Tim 3:3

feared Exod 14:31; Josh 4:14; 1Sam 12:18; 1Chr 29:24; Prov 24:21

the wisdom 1Kgs 3:9-12; Ezra 7:25; Eccl 7:19; Dan 2:21, Dan 2:47, Dan 5:11; 1Cor 1:24, 1Cor 1:30; Col 2:3

in him Heb. in the midst of him

to do Ps 72:2, Ps 72:4