Haftorah

📖 Summary of Haftorah: Melachim 1 3:15-4:1

✨ The Dream of Shlomo and His Request for Wisdom

🌙 Hashem Appears to Shlomo in Givon

• In the city of Givon, Hashem appeared to Shlomo in a dream at night.
• G‑d told Shlomo: “Ask for whatever you desire.”
• Shlomo replied: > “You showed great kindness to my father David, who followed You wholeheartedly. You placed me on his throne, yet I am but a child, inexperienced in leading such a vast nation. Please grant me an understanding heart to judge Your people and discern right from wrong.”

🏆 G‑d Grants Wisdom, Wealth, and Honor

King Shlomo Celebrates the Dream 🎉 : Upon awakening from his dream, King Shlomo proceeded to Jerusalem, where he stood before the Ark of G-d. In gratitude for the favorable message he had received from G-d in his dream, he offered sacrifices and presented offerings. In addition, he hosted a grand banquet for all his servants to commemorate the occasion^.

The King Settles a Dispute Regarding the True Mother of the Living Child 👩‍⚖️

• At this time, two women identified as harlots appeared before King Shlomo to have a dispute resolved. They proceeded to recount the following narrative to the king.
• Claim of the First Woman 👩 : One of the women presented her statement as follows: “My lord, both I and this woman were residing in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was present. Three days following my delivery, she too gave birth. No individual other than the two of us was present in the home during our childbirth. Tragically, her child died at night as she accidentally lay upon him. Subsequently, she arose in the night, took my son from my side while I slept, and placed him at her breast, while she laid her deceased son at my side. In the morning, when I rose to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. Upon closer examination, I realized that the child was not the one to whom I had given birth.”
• Claim of the Second Woman 👩 : In response, the other woman asserted: “Your account is false; the living child is mine, and the deceased child is yours.” Thus, the contention persisted, with each woman claiming to be the mother of the living child and alleging that the other was the mother of the deceased child.
• The King Reviews the Claims 📝 : King Shlomo summarized the dispute, stating, “This woman claims, ‘My son is the living one, and the other’s son is deceased.’ The other states, ‘No, your son is the deceased, and mine is the living.’” This demonstrates the principle that a judge must articulate and review the claims of both parties in their presence to ensure complete understanding ^[1] .
• The King Issues a Verdict to Divide the Child ⚔️ : The king ordered that a sword be brought before him. Upon its arrival, he declared that the living child should be cut in two, with half given to each woman.
• The True Maternal Instinct is Revealed 💔🤱 : Overcome with compassion for her son, the true mother implored the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living child—do not take his life.” In contrast, the other woman declared to the sword bearer, “Let neither of us have him; divide the child.”
• The King Reverses His Verdict and Awards the Child to the True Mother 👑 : In response, the king instructed, “Deliver the living child to her; do not put him to death. She is his true mother.” At that moment, a divine voice affirmed that she was indeed the genuine mother ^[2] .
• The King’s Wisdom Becomes Known Throughout the Nation 🌟 The entire nation of Israel heard about this extraordinary case and the wise judgment rendered by the king. They were filled with awe, recognizing that divine wisdom resided within him to render justice, which inspired reverence and deterred wrongdoing among the people.

Chapter 4: The King’s Ministers and Advisors 🏛️

The List and Names of the King’s Ministers and Advisors:

• King Shlomo reigned over all of Israel. The following are the names of his distinguished ministers and other appointed officials: