1 Kings 3:21

And when I rose in the morning to giue my childe sucke, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, beholde, it was not my sonne, which I did beare. 1 Kings 3:21 (KJV)

This wording does not appear in 1 Kings 3; a similar phrase is found in Genesis 38:28, though the latter verse lacks the second clause about the child not being the speaker’s son. To better understand the passage, it is helpful to consider the surrounding biblical narrative. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon requests wisdom from God, receives it, and becomes renowned for his discernment. The well‑known story in this chapter involves two women who bring a dispute over a living child before Solomon. The two women each claim to be the mother of a baby. One woman’s child has died, and she alleges that the other woman switched the infants. Both women present their cases to Solomon for judgment. Solomon proposes to cut the living child in half, offering each woman a portion. The woman whose child is truly alive immediately pleads, “O my lord, give the living child to me and do not kill it,” revealing her genuine maternal love. The woman whose child had died showed no objection, but the true mother, out of love and concern, pleaded with Solomon to spare the child’s life and give him to the other woman. Solomon then awards the child to her. This revealed the true mother’s selfless love and contrasted her with the deceitful woman who switched the babies.

Interpretation: Although the quoted verse is not part of this Solomon narrative, the story illustrates the depth of a true mother’s love and selflessness, contrasting her with the deceitful claimant.