The Bible In Paintings, #123: GOD WISES UP SOLOMON, WHO PROMPTLY CUTS A BABY IN HALF - Part 2

Bing Images ^ | c. 2200 BC -- c. 95 AD | by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit

[Hebrews 11:6]

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GOD WISES UP SOLOMON…

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1^st. K I N G S . 3
New International Version, emphases added
Abrdgd: the complete text is in your Bible
or Click:
TO READ 1^ST KINGS 3 IN FULL
TO HEAR MAX McLEAN READING IT
TO HEAR A DRAMATIZATION OF IT
TO WATCH A BRIEF ANIMATION OF 1^ST KINGS

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9 6 7 . B. C.

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3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David.

5 The Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

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1 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source

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2 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source

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3 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
“Golden Children’s Bible”

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4 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source

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5 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by GOVERT FLINCK
“Solomon Asks for Wisdom”

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…AND HE PROMPTLY
CUTS A BABY IN HALF

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16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby.

19 “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”

22 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.”

But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king.

23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”

But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

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HERE ARE THE FINAL 39 PAINTINGS!
Link to PART 1

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34 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by BOULOGNE
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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35 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by MATTHIAS STOMER
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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36 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by MIKI DE GOODABOOM
“King Solomon and The Two Mothers”

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37 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by GUSTAVE DORÉ
“Judgment of Solomon”

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38 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by MATTHIAS STOMER
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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39 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by NIKOLAI GE
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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40 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by GIOVANNI BATTISTA RANIERI DEL PACE
“Judgment of Solomon”

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42 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source

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43 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by RAPHAEL
“Judgment of Solomon” (ceiling panel)

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44 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by GIUSEPPE CADES, after Raphael
“Judgment of Solomon”

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45 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by STEPHAN KESSLER
“Judgment of Solomon”

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46 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by GIOVANNI BATTISTA TIEPOLO
“Judgment of Solomon”

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47 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by VALERIO CASTELLO
“Judgment of Solomon”

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48 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by FRANCESCO DA URBINO
“Judgment of Solomon”

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49 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by FRANZ CAUCIG
“Judgment of Solomon”

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50 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by CARACCIOLO
“Judgment of Solomon”

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51 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by JAN WOUTERSZ VAN CUYCK
“Judgment of Solomon”

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52 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by JOHANN CONRAD SEEKATZ
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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53 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by JUSEPE DE RIBERA
“Judgment of Solomon”

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54 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by LUCAS CRANACH THE ELDER
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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55 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
Nuremberg Chronicle

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56 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
after Lucas van Leyden
“Solomon Judges the Case of the Two Harlots”

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57 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by HENDRICK GOLTZIUS
“Salomo’s Judgment”

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58 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
“Judgment of Solomon”
Portugal dos Pequenitos, Coimbra, Portugal

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59 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
in The Art Bible

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60 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by MICHIEL COXIE
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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61 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by ANTONIO MOLINARI
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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62 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source

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63 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source

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64 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by MASTER OF BOUCICAUT
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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65 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
Maastricht Book of Hours

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66 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
Maastricht Book of Hours

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67 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source

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68 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by PIETER VAN BRONCKHORST
“Fantasy Palace with Judgment of Solomon”

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69 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by FRANCISCO GUTIÉRREZ CABELLO
“Judgment of Solomon”

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70 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by DIDIER BARRA
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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71mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by FRANCISCO GUTIÉRREZ CABELLO
“The Judgment of Solomon”

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→ a n d…. f i n a l l y ←

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72 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Image Source
by HE QI
“Judgment of Solomon”

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SNEAK PEEK: Next time,

29 SCULPTURES,
TAPESTRIES & WINDOWS
(for those who care for that sort of thing….)

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֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎
֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎

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R E S O U R C E S

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If you'd like to see for yourself the Bing page
which yielded most of the works above, here is the link:

Solomon Asks God for Wisdom
Solomon and the Baby

Image Sources are provided for most individual works.
Where no attribution appears below a work,
the source did not provide the artist's name.
Works are numbered to facilitate your commenting.

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Links to three masters who painted Biblical scenes prolifically:

REMBRANDT HARMENSZOON van RIJN

GUSTAV DORÉ
241 wood engravings for
La Grande Bible de Tours

JAMES TISSOT
180 watercolors depicting Bible scenes

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Links to two Bibles with comprehensive illustrations:

The Art Bible (1896)

The Maciejowski-Morgan Bible (c.1245)

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This series keeps moving from one Bible passage to another,
so here is a fascinating and enjoyable link to assist in following along:
BIBLE TIMELINE

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Here are links to the
PREVIOUS 122 POSTS IN THIS SERIES
with descriptive titles to assist you in finding those which interest you

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Finally, what God did to initiate The Bible In Paintings:
HOW GOD STARTED THIS SERIES
BY SHOWING ME JUST ONE PICTURE

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SPECIAL THANKS
to FReeper left that other site,
who allowed God to make her His conduit
for incomparable enthusiasm, encouragement,
education, advice and technical assistance!

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NOTES ON MY SELECTION CRITERIA

Q u a l i t y The Bible and its Author are my focus, not the art:
this is The Bible in Paintings, not “Great Paintings” nor even “Good Paintings.” So, works need not be masterpieces to qualify for inclusion here—they don’t need to be housed at the Louvre nor auctioned by Sotheby’s. They only need to illustrate successfully some aspect of the Biblical text or, frankly, just tickle my fancy, which I'm asking the Holy Spirit to guide. Often, artists misrepresent the Scripture, but unless the error is material, licentious or heretical I usually include the artwork, trusting that the Spirit is perfectly capable of defending Himself. So, with such forgiving filters, it means that you're seeing practically everything I'm finding.

P a c i n g

The pace may seem appallingly snail-like
to those eager to see their favorite events illustrated. My commission is to search for art on each Bible passage in sequence: if I find enough, then it becomes the next installment, even if undramatic; but where there is little or no art, that Bible passage goes untold here. The Bible is a thick book, as you know; but we'll get there eventually, Lord willing—this is His project, after all. Always remember:
love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control is a fruit of the Spirit!

S e q u e n c i n g

The Protestant Canon does not (indeed, cannot)
follow a strictly chronological sequence. There are many examples where, for God's good purposes, stories are told out-of-order. Nevertheless, for the sake of simplicity, clarity, and my sanity, I have chosen to proceed linearly and methodically from Genesis onward, illustrating each Bible passage as we come to it. Where two passages cover the same incident I omit the second telling, excepting the four Gospels which I will treat synoptically. Now, onward!

Art is merely the Toy Department of Bible study,
so I’m just having fun here—I hope you are, too!
Thank you for your understanding.

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YES, WE DO HAVE A

P I N G… .L I S T

for "The Bible In Paintings" series

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To be alerted to each new posting,
either reply here or FRmail me.

No contracts, startup charges or monthly fees;
no hazing or initiation rituals; cancel anytime.

[Hebrews 11:6]

At the Holy Spirit's prompting, I am surveying "Bible art" to give God glory, as many of these artists have done, and for my own amusement and learning; and I thought others might enjoy it and be blessed by it, too. My plan is to proceed methodically from left-to-right, Genesis to Revelation, as the Lord wills. Back soon with another.

The Bible encourages us to meditate on it (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:11-16, etc.); these artists have done so, and their works can assist us and enrich our own thoughts about biblical characters, incidents and concepts, and increase our faith in He who is behind it all. As you encounter and consider these images and the related Scriptures and the Spirit enlightens your understanding, please share it with us!

But it is not only oil-on-canvas that can so help us; I refer to the astonishing video series The Chosen, which strolls through the four Gospels at the most leisurely pace. The eight episodes of Season 1 are finished, and the second of a planned seven seasons is being filmed right now. I say "leisurely" because after an entire year’s viewing Jesus still has only seven of the apostles (although He's preparing to call up Thomas from the minor leagues--but Thomas is skeptical, of course). Anticipating a canvas of fifty-plus hours instead of a movie's paltry two hours, The Chosen turns the characters (especially including Jesus!) into three-dimensional humans and brings the Gospels alive--you have never seen anything even remotely like it! Here is the Official Trailer.

Here is a link for free viewing of The Chosen: “Works with your phone, tablet, and you can cast to your Roku or Chromecast.” Last fall I paid $34.98 for DVDs and ongoing internet access—best 35 bucks I’ve ever spent (I don’t recall how much our marriage license cost, but then it was 43 years ago).

[Hebrews 11:6]

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F o r . . y o u r

CONSIDERATION

ENJOYMENT

& BLESSING

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[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Bad title. Solomon did not cut a baby in half. Nor did anyone else.

He ordered someone to do it but stayed their hand after the true mother spoke.

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Dan - I had no idea there were so many iterations of this vignette in the Canon of Biblical Art!

"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

"God save all here!"

[Hebrews 11:6]

Do you REALLY suppose I don't know the facts? I don't recall seeing you on any of the previous 122 episodes, Sam--perhaps my memory is faulty. So my "bad title" had the exact effect intended: to draw attention and commentary.

Now that you have broken the ice, I hope you'll become a part of our discussions here.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Nor did I, Tom, but there are still another 29 coming tomorrow.

"the Canon of Biblical Art". Ingenious! I'm going to misappropriate that from you.

[edwinland]

The title totally sucked me in. Thanks!

What a fabulous collection of images. Have you considered putting up a blog? Or maybe you have one?

Apart from the beauty of the theme and the images, it’s a wonderful opportunity to really understand the style of different artists and times, when you see them represent the same scene, especially one so potentially dramatic.

The absolute stunning genius of Raphael just leaps off the screen.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Have you considered putting up a blog?

THIS is specifically what God has challenged me to do, for now anyway.

potentially dramatic

Well put! I wonder what kind of life that baby ended up having? Hoping to see him in heaven!

The absolute stunning genius of Raphael

Of all the Raphael images I've posted--must be a dozen by now--you're the first to comment on him. I'll simply note, there's a reason he's so famous.

[etabeta]

Excellent! Excellent compilation!
Raphael = perfection, grace, grandeur.
As usual, Dore’ captures powerfully the dramatic intensity of this event. What a creative mind he possessed.

[edwinland]

It’s simply incredible that he was able to capture the pathos more convincingly in a fresco/mosaic than anyone else could do in oil. Also the Giuseppe Cades copy is the perfect foil, to highlight just how impossible it is for even an extraordinary artist to do what Raphael did.

Would you object if I get someone to put all of your collections up in a free blog in substack.com? I’m not sure if I could find someone to do it (and I don’t have the time to do it myself) but if you ok it, i’ll ask around with some of my computer literate friends.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Do you REALLY suppose I don't know the facts?

Of course I don't. Perhaps "bad title" was not appropriate. Maybe..."The Bible In Paintings, #123: A Visual Tour Of Solomon's Most Famous Decree" would fill the bill?

[Hebrews 11:6]

Since you raised this interesting question publicly, I will answer here in-kind.

Previously, I have told the story in detail of how God prompted me specifically and unquestionably to begin this series. Thus, this is His series, to do with as He wishes--I am only His (very willing) agent. Several have suggested a book, but you are the first to recommend a blog.

Of course, I am very interested in expanding the audience--indeed, that is the whole point of this--to Judea/Samaria/earth. There are these issues:

* My Time: I am maxed out, spending ten-twelve hours daily on this already

* My Ignorance: I know nothing about blogging, nor about legal issues, others acting on my behalf as you suggest, etc.

So, I'm certainly willing to explore this with you. It sounds as though this is your first exposure to this series. If your initial enthusiasm does not wane, you could play a meaningful role in assisting the promulgation of the Gospel through this very minor ministry.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Please see post #7.

I am being deliberately provocative, in my own unique way, in order to advance the Gospel. It was a joke. In a title, designed to generate a response: "Everyone already knows Solomon did not in fact divide the child, so why is this fool claiming he did? I'd better see."

I expect, Sam, that you have a true zeal for the Gospel. So do I. That's why I do this. By the way, Part 3's title tomorrow will be the same.

So, any comments about the art, or fresh new insights into the text it may have inspired in you?

[edwinland]

Sounds good. As you guessed I’m no expert on these things, except as a reader, but I will ask a friend if he can give it a try or recommend someone who can.

If I find someone I think they could just do the whole thing by copying the links from your posts. Maybe I’m being overly-optimistic but I don’t think it would require any of our time. Let’s see.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

Thanks for another great post. So many about Solomon’s judgment! I liked Raphael and Ge’s version, but I just skimmed the rest. I believe I’ve seen Raphael’s before. I know I’ve seen the soldier holding the baby upside down.

Now, just imagine the power of the king. ‘Cut the baby in half’—and the soldier obeys. We can’t relate to that in the US.

I rather like the Golden Book’s version of God appearing to Solomon. That’s the only one that really seems to portray Solomon as a 20-year-old. I like him as a blonde king.

Now I’ve got to study the pictures after Rafael’s too.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Well, I know perfectly well that you’re not just a skimmer.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I’ll await further word—while praying.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Ah. I see.

The artwork is sublime. I have always been a fan of Renaissance art. I took some art classes in college and learned an appreciation for the more modern painters as well. Mondrian, Kandinsky. But the perspective of Raphael, the reds of Titian and Botticelli's almost baroque scenes have always been my faves.

Thanks for posting.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I post almost everything I can find, but biblical modern art is pretty rare.

With your education, you could make some valuable contributions to these threads. Hoping to hear from you again!

Dan

[Maudeen]

What a wonderful example of wisdom!