1 Kings 3:19

19 And this woman’s child died in the night: for in her sleep she overlaid him.

1 Kings 3:19 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 3:19

And this woman's child died in the night
Whether the same night following the day it was born is not certain; because she overlaid it;
or laid upon it, being heavy through sleep, and not knowing what she did, turned herself upon it, and smothered it; because it had no previous illness, or any marks of any disease it could be thought to die of, and perhaps there might be some of its being overlaid.

1 Kings 3:19 In-Context

17 And one of them said: I beseech thee, my lord, I and this woman dwelt in one house, and I was delivered of a child with her in the chamber.

18 And the third day after I was delivered, she also was delivered; and we were together, and no other person with us in the house; only we two.

19 And this woman’s child died in the night: for in her sleep she overlaid him.

20 And rising in the dead time of the night, she took my child from my side, while I, thy handmaid, was asleep, and laid it in her bosom: and laid her dead child in my bosom.

21 And when I arose in the morning, to give my child suck, behold it was dead: but considering him more diligently, when it was clear day, I found that it was not mine which I bore.