The king said, “One says, ‘My son is alive; your son is dead,’ while the other says, ‘No, your son is dead; my son is alive.’”

Nathan said, “My master, O king, did you announce, ‘Adonijah will be king after me; he will sit on my throne’?

The other woman said, “No! My son is alive; your son is dead!” But the first woman replied, “No, your son is dead; my son is alive.” Each presented her case before the king.

Night and day may you watch over this temple, the place where you promised you would live. May you answer your servant’s prayer for this place.

The real mother spoke up to the king, for her motherly instincts were aroused. She said, “My master, give her the living child! Whatever you do, don’t kill him!” But the other woman said, “Neither one of us will have him! Let them cut him in two!”