1 Kings 3:16-28
two prostitutes <0802 08147> [two women.]
<02181> [harlots.]
The word {zanoth,} rendered harlots, is here translated by the Targumist, the best judge in this case, {pundekon,} "tavern-keepers:" see on Jos 2:1.
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 <05975> [stood.]
master <0994 0113> [O my lord.]
middle <08432> [midnight.]
took <03947> [took.]
son ...................... baby <01121> [give.]
alive ................... alive <02416> [Nay.]
Cut <01504> [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 ver. 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.
motherly instincts <07356> [her bowels.]
aroused <03648> [yearned. Heb. were hot.]
give .... living <05414 02416> [give her.]
respected <03372> [feared.]
wisdom <02451> [the wisdom.]
possessed <07130> [in him. Heb. in the midst of him. to do.]
