19 And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
19 "During the night this woman's son died because she lay on him.
19 And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him.
19 The infant son of this woman died one night when she rolled over on him in her sleep.
19 And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him.
19 "But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:19
Commentary on 1 Kings 3:16-28
(Read 1 Kings 3:16-28)
An instance of Solomon's wisdom is given. Notice the difficulty of the case. To find out the true mother, he could not try which the child loved best, and therefore tried which loved the child best: the mother's sincerity will be tried, when the child is in danger. Let parents show their love to their children, especially by taking care of their souls, and snatching them as brands out of the burning. By this and other instances of the wisdom with which God endued him, Solomon had great reputation among his people. This was better to him than weapons of war; for this he was both feared and loved.