22 “No!” the other woman shouted. “He was your son. My baby is alive!”“The dead baby is yours,” the first woman yelled. “Mine is alive!”They argued back and forth in front of Solomon,
23 until finally he said, “Both of you say this live baby is yours.
24 Someone bring me a sword.”A sword was brought, and Solomon ordered,
25 “Cut the baby in half! That way each of you can have part of him.”
26 “Please don't kill my son,” the baby's mother screamed. “Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don't kill him.”The other woman shouted, “Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby.”
27 Solomon said, “Don't kill the baby.” Then he pointed to the first woman, “She is his real mother. Give the baby to her.”
28 Everyone in Israel was amazed when they heard how Solomon had made his decision. They realized that God had given him wisdom to judge fairly.