1 Kings 3:19 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 3:19 mean?

1 Kings 3:19 describes how one woman's child died during the night because she accidentally lay on him while sleeping. This verse is part of a story where two women come before King Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of a surviving baby after one child died.

In this scene, one of the women is explaining to Solomon what happened. The situation is tense: both women live in the same house, both recently gave birth, and now there is only one living child. The verse sets up the conflict that leads to Solomon's famous decision, highlighting the tragic and accidental nature of the baby's death.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 3:19

• "woman's" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): This word simply means "woman" or "wife." In this context, it refers to one of the two women involved in the dispute, emphasizing her role as the mother.
• "child" (בֵּן, ben): This word means "son" or "child." It clarifies that the baby who died was the woman's own child.
• "died" (מוּת, muth): This verb means "to die." The word here makes clear that the child's death was a real, final event, not just an injury or illness.
• "night" (לַיְלָה, laylah): This means "night," indicating the time when the tragedy happened, which adds to the sense of vulnerability and accident.
• "overlaid" (שָׁכַב, shakav): This verb often means "to lie down," but here it carries the sense of accidentally lying on top of the child, causing his death. This detail shows the death was unintentional and tragic.

Why 1 Kings 3:19 matters

• This verse is crucial for understanding the dramatic situation that leads to Solomon's wise judgment, showing the real-life consequences and emotions involved.
• The detail that the child died because the mother "overlaid" him highlights the accidental and sorrowful nature of the event, not an act of malice.
• The verse sets the stage for Solomon's test of true motherhood, making the story more relatable and human by focusing on the pain and confusion of the women involved.