The Judgment of Solomon
🏛️ The Judgment of Solomon
During Solomon's reign as king of Israel, two women came to him with a heartbreaking dispute. Both had recently given birth, but one of the babies had died during the night. Each woman claimed the living baby as her own.
They pleaded their cases before King Solomon:
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Woman A said, “The other woman's baby died, and while I was asleep, she switched our babies. When I woke up to nurse my son, he was dead. But when I looked closely, I saw that he wasn’t my child.”
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Woman B insisted, “No! The living child is mine, and the dead one is hers.”
There were no witnesses. It was one woman’s word against the other’s.
⚖️ Solomon’s Surprising Judgment
King Solomon paused. Then he made a startling declaration:
“Bring me a sword.”
When the sword was brought, he said:
“Cut the living child in two and give half to each woman.”
Immediately, one of the women cried out, “No, my lord! Give her the baby—just don’t kill him!”
The other woman said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours—cut him!”
Solomon then gave his verdict:
“Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him. She is the mother.”
🌟 Moral and Legacy
This story is found in 1 Kings 3:16–28 in the Bible and is echoed in Islamic tradition. It became legendary as a symbol of Solomon's God-given wisdom. He didn't just listen to words—he discerned the heart and intent behind them.
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