SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:25
Y el rey dijo: Partid por medio al niño vivo, y dad la mitad a la una, y la otra mitad a la otra.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:25
Verse 25. Divide the living child in two] This was apparently a very strange decision, and such as nothing could vindicate had it been carried into execution; but Solomon saw that the only way to find out the real mother was by the affection and tenderness which she would necessarily show to her offspring. He plainly saw that the real mother would rather relinquish her claim to her child than see it hewn in pieces before her eyes, while it was probable the pretender would see this with indifference. He therefore orders such a mode of trial as would put the maternal affection of the real mother to the utmost proof; the plan was tried, and it succeeded. This was a proof of his sound judgment, penetration, and acquaintance with human nature; but surely it is not produced as a proof of extraordinary and supernatural wisdom. We have several similar decisions even among heathens.
Suetonius, in his life of the Emperor Claudius, cap. xv., whom he celebrates for his wonderful sagacity and penetration on some particular occasions, tells us, that this emperor discovered a woman to be the mother of a certain young man, whom she refused to acknowledge as her son, by commanding her to marry him, the proofs being doubtful on both sides; for, rather than commit this incest, she confessed the truth. His words are: Feminam, non agnoscentem fllium suum, dubia utrinque argumentorum fide, ad confessionem compulit, indicto matrimonio juvenis.
Ariopharnes, king of Thrace, being appointed to decide between three young men, who each professed to be the son of the deceased king of the Cimmerians, and claimed the crown in consequence, found out the real son by commanding each to shoot an arrow into the body of the dead king: two of them did this without hesitation, the third refused, and was therefore judged by Ariopharnes to be the real son of the deceased. Grotius, on this place, quotes this relation from Diodourus Siculus; I quote this on his authority, but have not been able to find the place in Diodourus. This is a parallel case to that in the text; a covert appeal was made to the principle of affection; and the truth was discovered, as in the case of the mother of the living child.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 25. And the king said , etc.] To one of his officers: divide the living child in two ; not that he meant it should be actually done, though it might at first be thought he really intended it, and so strike the minds of some with horror, as it did, however, the mother; but he ordered this, to try the affections of the women, and thereby come to the true knowledge of the affair; though, some think he knew it before by their countenances and manner of speech, but that he was desirous all present might see it, and be satisfied of it: and give half to the one, and half to the other ; since both claimed it. Ver. 26 . 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 thine, [but] divide [it] ; for as she knew it was not her own, she had no affection for it, nor desire to have it; chose rather to be clear of the expense of keeping and nursing it, and would, by its being put to death, be avenged of her adversary, who had brought this cause before the king.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-28 - An instance of Solomon's wisdom is given. Notice the difficulty of the case. To find out the true mother, he could not try which the chil loved best, and therefore tried which loved the child best: the mother's sincerity will be tried, when the child is in danger. Le parents show their love to their children, especially by taking care of their souls, and snatching them as brands out of the burning. By thi and other instances of the wisdom with which God endued him, Solomo had great reputation among his people. This was better to him tha weapons of war; for this he was both feared and loved __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויאמר 559 המלך 4428 גזרו 1504 את 853 הילד 3206 החי 2416 לשׁנים 8147 ותנו 5414 את 853 החצי 2677 לאחת 259 ואת 853 החצי 2677 לאחת׃ 259
