What is the story of Solomon and the two prostitutes?

Response

In 1 Kings 3:16–28, we read about King Solomon presiding over a case involving two women who were prostitutes (also known as the Judgment of Solomon). Both women had recently given birth to sons and resided together in the same house. One night, one of the babies died from being smothered. The woman whose child had died then exchanged her deceased baby with the other woman’s baby while she was asleep. Seeking justice, the other woman brought the matter before the king. She presented her argument: “We were alone; there was no one in the house except the two of us. During the night, this woman’s son died because she lay on him. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I, your servant, was asleep. She placed him by her breast and put her deceased son by my breast. The next morning, when I went to nurse my son—he was dead! But upon closer inspection in the morning light, I realized it was not the son I had given birth to” (verses 18–21).

Solomon could not discern the truth from their testimonies. Therefore, he issued a startling decree: “Bring me a sword. . . . Cut the living child in two and give half to one woman and half to the other” (1 Kings 3:24-25). Upon hearing this, the woman whose son was alive implored, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Do not kill him!”; whereas the other woman, whose son had perished, responded, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Divide him in two!” (verse 26). Observing their reactions, Solomon identified the true mother: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother” (verse 27).

Why did Solomon propose such a drastic measure? Was he genuinely considering splitting a baby with a sword? The text clarifies that Solomon’s aim was to uncover the truth. He achieved this by observing the women’s responses and relying on his wisdom.ternal instincts of the true mother.

The chapter’s final verse notes the impact of Solomon’s unconventional methods on the kingdom: “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice” «And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.», (1 Kings 3:28). Solomon’s wisdom had been bestowed by God when Solomon requested it (verse 5). The narrative of Solomon’s handling of the case of the two prostitutes demonstrated that he had indeed been granted wisdom from God. Subsequent chapters provide further examples of King Solomon’s wisdom.