Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, April 25th, 2026
the Third Week after Easter
the Third Week after Easter
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Read the Bible
Literal Standard Version
1 Kings 3:23
And the king says, "This [one] says, This [is] my son, the living, and your son [is] the dead; and that [one] says, No, but your son [is] the dead, and my son the living."
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
The king replied, “This woman says, ‘This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.’”
The king replied, “This woman says, ‘This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.’”
Hebrew Names Version
Then said the king, The one says, This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead: and the other says, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.
Then said the king, The one says, This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead: and the other says, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.
King James Version
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.
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.
English Standard Version
Then the king said, "The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'"
Then the king said, "The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'"
New Century Version
Then King Solomon said, "One of you says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead.' Then the other one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and my son is alive.'"
Then King Solomon said, "One of you says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead.' Then the other one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and my son is alive.'"
New English Translation
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.'"
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.'"
Amplified Bible
Then the king said, "This woman says, 'This is my son, the one who is alive, and your son is the dead one'; and the other woman says, 'No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the one who is alive.'"
Then the king said, "This woman says, 'This is my son, the one who is alive, and your son is the dead one'; and the other woman says, 'No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the one who is alive.'"
New American Standard Bible
Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, 'No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"
Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, 'No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then sayde the King, She sayth, This that liueth is my sonne, and the dead is thy sonne: and the other sayth, Nay, but the dead is thy sonne, and the liuing is my sonne.
Then sayde the King, She sayth, This that liueth is my sonne, and the dead is thy sonne: and the other sayth, Nay, but the dead is thy sonne, and the liuing is my sonne.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king said, "The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"
Then the king said, "The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"
Contemporary English Version
until finally he said, "Both of you say this live baby is yours.
until finally he said, "Both of you say this live baby is yours.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then the king said, "This woman says, ‘The living one is my son; your son is the dead one'; while the other says, ‘No, the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.'
Then the king said, "This woman says, ‘The living one is my son; your son is the dead one'; while the other says, ‘No, the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.'
Darby Translation
Then said the king, The one says, This that is living is my son, and thy son is the dead; and the other says, No, for thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.
Then said the king, The one says, This that is living is my son, and thy son is the dead; and the other says, No, for thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.
Easy-to-Read Version
Then King Solomon said, "Each of you says that the living baby is your own and that the dead baby belongs to the other woman."
Then King Solomon said, "Each of you says that the living baby is your own and that the dead baby belongs to the other woman."
George Lamsa Translation
And the other woman said, It is not so, the living is my son and the dead is your son. Thus they argued before the king.
And the other woman said, It is not so, the living is my son and the dead is your son. Thus they argued before the king.
Good News Translation
Then King Solomon said, "Each of you claims that the living child is hers and that the dead child belongs to the other one."
Then King Solomon said, "Each of you claims that the living child is hers and that the dead child belongs to the other one."
Lexham English Bible
Then the king said, "This one is saying, ‘This is my son, the living one, but your son is the dead one,' and the other one keeps saying, ‘But no! Your son is the dead one, and my son is living!'"
Then the king said, "This one is saying, ‘This is my son, the living one, but your son is the dead one,' and the other one keeps saying, ‘But no! Your son is the dead one, and my son is living!'"
Literal Translation
And the king said, This one says, This is my son, the living one, and your son the dead. And that one says, No, but your son is the dead, and my son the living.
And the king said, This one says, This is my son, the living one, and your son the dead. And that one says, No, but your son is the dead, and my son the living.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the kynge sayde: This woma saieth: my sonne lyueth and thy sonne is deed: Yonder woman sayeth: Not so, thy sonne is deed, & my sonne lyueth.
And the kynge sayde: This woma saieth: my sonne lyueth and thy sonne is deed: Yonder woman sayeth: Not so, thy sonne is deed, & my sonne lyueth.
American Standard Version
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.
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.
Bible in Basic English
Then the king said, One says, The living child is my son, and yours is the dead: and the other says, Not so; but your son is the dead one and mine is the living.
Then the king said, One says, The living child is my son, and yours is the dead: and the other says, Not so; but your son is the dead one and mine is the living.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then sayde the king: The one sayth, this that is alyue is my sonne, and the dead is thyne: And the other sayth, nay: but thy sonne is the dead, and the liuing childe is myne.
Then sayde the king: The one sayth, this that is alyue is my sonne, and the dead is thyne: And the other sayth, nay: but thy sonne is the dead, and the liuing childe is myne.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.'
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.'
King James Version (1611)
Then said the King, The one saith, This is my sonne, that liueth, and thy sonne is the dead: and the other saith Nay: but thy sonne is the dead, and my sonne is the liuing.
Then said the King, The one saith, This is my sonne, that liueth, and thy sonne is the dead: and the other saith Nay: but thy sonne is the dead, and my sonne is the liuing.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
and the king said to them, Thou sayest, This is my son, even the living one, and this woman’s son is the dead one: and thou sayest, No, but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son.
and the king said to them, Thou sayest, This is my son, even the living one, and this woman’s son is the dead one: and thou sayest, No, but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son.
English Revised Version
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.
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Then the king replied, "This woman says, 'My son is alive and yours is dead,' but that woman says, 'No, your son is dead and mine is alive.'"
Then the king replied, "This woman says, 'My son is alive and yours is dead,' but that woman says, 'No, your son is dead and mine is alive.'"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Thanne the kyng seide, This womman seith, My sone lyueth, and thi sone is deed; and this womman answerith, Nay, but thi sone is deed; forsothe my sone lyueth.
Thanne the kyng seide, This womman seith, My sone lyueth, and thi sone is deed; and this womman answerith, Nay, but thi sone is deed; forsothe my sone lyueth.
Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith, `This [one] saith, This [is] my son, the living, and thy son [is] the dead; and that [one] saith, Nay, but thy son [is] the dead, and my son the living.'
And the king saith, `This [one] saith, This [is] my son, the living, and thy son [is] the dead; and that [one] saith, Nay, but thy son [is] the dead, and my son the living.'
Update Bible Version
Then said the king, The one says, This is my son that lives, and your son is the dead: and the other says, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.
Then said the king, The one says, This is my son that lives, and your son is the dead: and the other says, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then said the king, The one saith, This [is] my son that liveth, and thy son [is] the dead; and the other saith, No; but thy son [is] the dead, and my son [is] the living.
Then said the king, The one saith, This [is] my son that liveth, and thy son [is] the dead; and the other saith, No; but thy son [is] the dead, and my son [is] the living.
World English Bible
Then said the king, The one says, This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead: and the other says, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.
Then said the king, The one says, This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead: and the other says, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.
New King James Version
And the king said, "The one says, "This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, "No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'|"
And the king said, "The one says, "This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, "No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'|"
New Living Translation
Then the king said, "Let's get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other.
Then the king said, "Let's get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other.
New Life Bible
Then the king said, "The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one.' The other says, ‘No! Your son is the dead one. My son is the living one.'"
Then the king said, "The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one.' The other says, ‘No! Your son is the dead one. My son is the living one.'"
New Revised Standard
Then the king said, "The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; while the other says, ‘Not so! Your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'"
Then the king said, "The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; while the other says, ‘Not so! Your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said the king, The one woman, is saying, This, is, my son, the one that liveth, and, thy son, is, the one that is dead, - and, the other, is saying, Nay! but, thy son, is, the dead one, and, my son, the, living.
Then said the king, The one woman, is saying, This, is, my son, the one that liveth, and, thy son, is, the one that is dead, - and, the other, is saying, Nay! but, thy son, is, the dead one, and, my son, the, living.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then said the king: The one saith, My child is alive, and thy child is dead. And the other answereth: Nay; but thy child is dead, and mine liveth.
Then said the king: The one saith, My child is alive, and thy child is dead. And the other answereth: Nay; but thy child is dead, and mine liveth.
Revised Standard Version
Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; and the other says, 'No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'"
Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; and the other says, 'No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'"
THE MESSAGE
The king said, "What are we to do? This woman says, ‘The living son is mine and the dead one is yours,' and this woman says, ‘No, the dead one's yours and the living one's mine.'"
The king said, "What are we to do? This woman says, ‘The living son is mine and the dead one is yours,' and this woman says, ‘No, the dead one's yours and the living one's mine.'"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, 'No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"
Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, 'No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"
Contextual Overview
16Then two women, harlots, come to the king, and they stand before him, 17and the first woman says, "O my lord, this woman and I are dwelling in one house, and I bring forth with her, in the house; 18and it comes to pass on the third day of my bringing forth, that this woman also brings forth, and we [are] together, there is no stranger with us in the house, except the two of us, in the house. 19And the son of this woman dies at night, because she has lain on him, 20and she rises in the middle of the night, and takes my son from beside me—and your handmaid is asleep—and lays him in her bosom, and she has laid her dead son in my bosom; 21and I rise in the morning to suckle my son, and behold, [he is] dead; and I consider in the morning concerning it, and behold, it was not my son whom I bore." 22And the other woman says, "No, but my son [is] the living, and your son the dead"; and this [one] says, "No, but your son [is] the dead, and my son the living." And they speak before the king. 23And the king says, "This [one] says, This [is] my son, the living, and your son [is] the dead; and that [one] says, No, but your son [is] the dead, and my son the living."24And the king says, "Take a sword for me"; and they bring the sword before the king, 25and the king says, "Cut the living child into two, and give half to one, and half to the other."
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:22 - Nay Proverbs 15:28 - heart
Cross-References
Genesis 2:5
and no shrub of the field is yet in the earth, and no herb of the field yet sprouts, for YHWH God has not rained on the earth, and there is not a man to serve the ground,
and no shrub of the field is yet in the earth, and no herb of the field yet sprouts, for YHWH God has not rained on the earth, and there is not a man to serve the ground,
Genesis 3:19
by the sweat of your face you eat bread until your return to the ground, for you have been taken out of it, for dust you [are], and to dust you return."
by the sweat of your face you eat bread until your return to the ground, for you have been taken out of it, for dust you [are], and to dust you return."
Genesis 4:2
and she adds to bear his brother, even Abel. And Abel is feeding a flock, and Cain has been servant of the ground.
and she adds to bear his brother, even Abel. And Abel is feeding a flock, and Cain has been servant of the ground.
Genesis 4:12
when you till the ground, it will not add to give its strength to you—a wanderer, even a trembling one, you are in the earth."
when you till the ground, it will not add to give its strength to you—a wanderer, even a trembling one, you are in the earth."
Genesis 9:20
And Noah remains a man of the ground, and plants a vineyard,
And Noah remains a man of the ground, and plants a vineyard,
Ecclesiastes 5:9
And the abundance of a land is for all. A king for a field is served.
And the abundance of a land is for all. A king for a field is served.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Then said the king,.... As judge, summing up what had been said on both sides, which were only bare assertions without proof; the one affirming what the other denied, and the other denying what the other affirmed:
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 he repeated to show to all present that no determination could be made by what had been said on each side, and that some other method must be taken.
