1 Kings 3:16

A Wise Ruling

16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.

1 Kings 3:16 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 Some time later two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled.
The Message Bible (MSG)
16 The very next thing, two prostitutes showed up before the king.
American Standard Version (ASV)
16 Then there came two women that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
16 A short time later two prostitutes came to the king and stood in front of him.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16 Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
16 Two prostitutes came to the king. They stood in front of him.

1 Kings 3:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 3:16

Then came there two women [that] were harlots unto the king,
&c.] The same day, as Abarbinel thinks, the night before which the Lord had appeared to Solomon; this came to pass through the providence of God, that there should be immediately an instance and proof of the wisdom and understanding the Lord had given to Solomon; these women, according to the Targum, were victuallers or inn keepers; and so Ben Gersom thinks they were sellers of food, as Rahab; though he observes it is possible they might, prostitute themselves: this may be said in their favour, that common prostitutes do not usually bear children, or, when they do, take no care of them, have no affection for them, and much less are fond of them, as these seem to be; but, on the other hand, no mention being made of their husbands, and living together in one house, and alone, and being impudent, brawling, and litigious, give great suspicion of the truth of the character they bear in our version and others: and stood before him;
to lay their case before him, and each plead their own cause; it may be, it had been tried in another court before, and could not be determined, and so was brought to the king; and, if so, the wisdom of Solomon was the more conspicuous, in deciding it in the manner he did.

1 Kings 3:16 In-Context

14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.
17 One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me.
18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.
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