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Summary
The Wisdom of Solomon

I Kings 3:16-28

3:16. Then there came two women that were harlots, to the king, and stood before him.

3:17. One of them said: I beseech thee, my lord, I and this woman dwelt in one house, and I was delivered of a child with her in the chamber.

3:18. The third day after I was delivered, she also was delivered; and we were together, and no other person with us in the house; only we two.

3:19. and this woman's child died in the night: for in her sleep she overlaid him.

3:20. Rising in the dead time of the night, she took my child from my side, while I, your handmaid, was asleep, and laid it next to her: and laid her dead child next to me.



3:21. When I arose in the morning, to nurse my child, behold it was dead: but considering him more diligently, when it was clear day, I found that it was not mine which I bore.

'''3:22. The other woman answered: It is not so as you say, but your child is dead, and mine is alive. On the contrary, she said; You lie: for my child lives, and your child is dead. In this manner they strove before the king.'''

'''3:23. Then said the king: The one says, My child is alive, and your child is dead. The other answers: Nay; but your child is dead, and mine lives.'''

'''3:24. The king therefore said: Bring me a sword. When they had brought a sword before the king,'''

3:25. Divide, said he, the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.

3:26. But the woman, whose child was alive, said to the king; (for her heart was moved for her child) "Beseech thee, my lord, give her the child alive, and do not kill it. But the other said: Let it be neither mine nor thine; but divide it.

3:27. The king answered, and said: Give the living child to this woman, and let it not be killed; for she is the mother thereof.

3:28. All Israel heard the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king, seeing that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgment.