The Judgement of Solomon
Also called: Judgment of Solomon, Wisdom of Solomon
A story told in religious scripture.
A story told in the First Book of Kings: when two women each claimed the same baby as her own, Solomon ordered the child cut in two and so found the true mother.
Peter Paul Rubens (1577 Siegen - 1640 Antwerpen) – Creator (Flemish) Born in Siegen. Died in Antwerpen. Details on Google Art Project · Public domain · Source
This is the story told in 1 Kings 3. Two women living in the same house gave birth a few days apart; when one baby died in the night, both claimed the living child and came before Solomon. The king called for a sword and ordered the baby divided, half to each.
One woman begged, “Do not kill him — give him to her,” while the other said, “Divide him, so he is neither mine nor yours.” Solomon gave the child to the woman who wanted him to live, saying she was the true mother, and all Israel marvelled at the king’s wisdom.
Just before this, the Bible says, Solomon asked God in a dream not for wealth or long life but for “an understanding heart to judge your people.” The judgement became the model of that wisdom, still recalled in the phrase “the wisdom of Solomon,” and was painted by Raphael, Rubens and many others.