23. The king said, "One of you says, 'My son is alive. Your son is dead.' The other one says, 'No! Your son is dead. Mine is alive.' "
24. He continued, "Bring me a sword." So a sword was brought to him.
25. Then he gave an order. He said, "Cut the living child in two. Give half to one woman and half to the other."
26. The woman whose son was alive was filled with deep concern for her son. She said to the king, "My master, please give her the living baby! Don't kill him!" But the other woman said, "Neither one of us will have him. Cut him in two!"
27. Then the king made his decision. He said, "Give the living baby to the first woman. Don't kill him. She's his mother."