²⁵ Divide, said he, the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

²⁶ But the woman whose child was alive, said to the king, (for her bowels were moved upon her child,) I beseech thee, my lord, give her the child alive, and do not kill it. But the other said: Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

²⁷ The king answered, and said: Give the living child to this woman, and let it not be killed, for she is the mother thereof.