1 Kings 3:25

25 he said, "Cut the living child in two. Give half to the one and half to the other."

1 Kings 3:25 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 3:25

And the king said
To one of his officers: divide the living child in two;
not that he meant it should be actually done, though it might at first be thought he really intended it, and so strike the minds of some with horror, as it did, however, the mother; but he ordered this, to try the affections of the women, and thereby come to the true knowledge of the affair; though, some think he knew it before by their countenances and manner of speech, but that he was desirous all present might see it, and be satisfied of it: and give half to the one, and half to the other;
since both claimed it.

1 Kings 3:25 In-Context

23 The king said, "This one keeps saying, 'My son is alive--your son is dead,' and that one keeps saying, 'No! Your son is dead--my son is alive.'"

24 So the king told his servants to bring him a sword. When they brought it,

25 he said, "Cut the living child in two. Give half to the one and half to the other."

26 Then the woman whose son was still alive was deeply moved by her love for the child. She said to the king, "Please, sir, give her the living child. Please don't kill him!" But the other woman said, "He won't be mine or yours. Cut him [in two]."

27 The king replied, "Give the living child to the first woman. Don't kill him. She is his mother."