In the morning: In all likelihood, this should be translated “This morning” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie) since it is improbable that the women would have waited several days to present this case to the king. The way the story is told in Good News Translation (“The next morning”) makes it sound as if the women may have waited several days before coming to the king. The words in the morning translate a single Hebrew word. In this context it is possible that the first occurrence refers to the early morning just before daylight and the second occurrence refers to a short time later when there was more light. Or the sense may be simply that the mother did not immediately realize the baby was not hers until she looked more closely.

The Hebrew verb rendered to nurse is literally the causative form of the verb “to suck.” Certain English versions use the somewhat archaic verb “to suckle” (New Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt). In some languages it is most naturally translated “to give the breast” or “to cause to drink milk.”

For the function of the word translated behold, see the comments on verses 12 and 15. Here it indicates sudden shock.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .