Jewish FolkloreLegends of King Solomon

Solomon's Wisdom

King Solomon uses a daring test of love to identify a child's true mother.

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Illustration for Solomon's Wisdom - a legends of king solomon Jewish Folklore story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Experience the legendary tale of Solomon's Wisdom. When two women claim the same child, the King's clever judgment reveals the true mother through a test of love.

In the early days of his reign, two women came before King Solomon with a desperate dispute. Both had recently given birth in the same house, but one infant had died in the night. Now, both women claimed the surviving child as their own. With no witnesses to the event, the court fell silent, watching the young king. Solomon called for a sword and calmly proposed a chilling solution: 'Divide the living child in two, and give half to one and half to the other.' The first woman, consumed by bitterness, agreed to the decree. But the second woman, her heart breaking with love, fell to her knees and begged, 'O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means slay it!' Recognizing that the true mother would rather lose her child to another than see him harmed, Solomon declared her the rightful parent and returned the baby to her arms.

The Moral

True love is defined by self-sacrifice and prioritizing the well-being of others over one's own desires.

“Give her the living child, and by no means slay it; she is the mother thereof.”

Fun Fact

This story is one of the earliest recorded examples of psychological profiling in history, using behavioral observation to solve a legal case without physical evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Solomon's Wisdom?

The moral is that true love is selfless and protective. It demonstrates that a rightful parent is one who cares more for the child's life than for their own claim of ownership.

Who were the two women in the story?

The two women were roommates who had both recently given birth. After one child died, they both claimed the remaining living infant as their own biological child.

Why did King Solomon suggest cutting the baby in half?

Solomon used the suggestion as a psychological test. He knew the biological mother's instinct to protect her child would reveal her identity when faced with the child's certain death.

Is the story of Solomon's Wisdom in the Bible?

Yes, this famous account is recorded in the Hebrew Bible in 1 Kings 3:16–28, illustrating the divine wisdom Solomon received from God.

What does 'Solomonic judgment' mean today?

A Solomonic judgment refers to a wise or creative solution to a complex dispute, often involving a decision that exposes the truth or balances conflicting interests.

How did the public respond to Solomon's ruling?

The people of Israel were struck with awe and reverence, realizing that Solomon possessed a divine ability to discern the truth and administer perfect justice.