King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 3:23 Mean?

1 Kings 3:23 in the King James Version says “Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but th...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.”

1 Kings 3:23 · KJV

Context

21

And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.

22

And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.

23

Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

24

And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.

25

And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's wisdom and the famous judgment, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֹמֶ֙רֶת֙1 of 17

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ2 of 17

“the king”

H4428

a king

וְזֹ֤את3 of 17

“The one”

H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֹמֶ֙רֶת֙4 of 17

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

זֶה5 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּבְנִ֥י6 of 17

“Nay but thy son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הֶחָֽי׃7 of 17

“is the living”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וּבְנִ֥י8 of 17

“Nay but thy son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמֵּ֖ת9 of 17

“is the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְזֹ֤את10 of 17

“The one”

H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֹמֶ֙רֶת֙11 of 17

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֣א12 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כִ֔י13 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וּבְנִ֥י14 of 17

“Nay but thy son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמֵּ֖ת15 of 17

“is the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וּבְנִ֥י16 of 17

“Nay but thy son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הֶחָֽי׃17 of 17

“is the living”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 3:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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