"I WON'T SETTLE FOR HALF"!  or "THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT"!
..................................................................................................(1 Kings 3:5-28)
This trial had no lawyers, there were no witnesses nor evidence, a jury was not called...yet, before us in this story stands a little boy, probably not even 10 years old to whom God has given wisdom.  He's not just any child, he is the new king of Israel!  Because of that, little King Solomon knows JUDGEMENT-(how to research the truth), and JUSTICE-(how to reward the truth). Back then, they respected the position of kingship; for that title carried with it FINAL AUTHORITY!  
*A "divided child" wouldn't survive, and would result in two funerals at the same time! In the true mother's mind, only 100% would do!  (John 8:32-"And ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free.")  *What was needed to turn this "horrifying event" into a "happy ending" was THE TRUTH!!!

(1)-THE TRUTH WAS SOVEREIGN-(his authority)
Back then, they respected the position of kingship; for that title carried with it FINAL AUTHORITY!  
No, they didn't print silly political bumper-stickers, nor did they tell jokes and laugh publicly about their leader....because even at 10 years of age, he didn't have to go though congress, ask senate majority leaders their opinion, nor follow the advice of the house of representatives!  He wasn't VOTED in, for GOD had placed him there!!!....AND HE COULD DO WHATEVER HE WANTED TO IN JUDGEMENT TO PRODUCE THE TRUTH!
(Romans 13:1-"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God".)

(2)-THE TRUTH WAS SEPARATIVE/(SWORD)-(his approach)
*I wish for you not to see two women arguing before a king, but to see YOURSELF in this typical biblical setting!  We are all judgement bound people!  These harlots are the same, but also different in many ways:  BOTH ARE HARLOTS!-(sinners), but one holds to the TRUTH, and the other holds to a LIE!---Also, BOTH LIVED TOGETHER until this judgement!  (Matt.13:30-"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to BURN THEM:  but gather the wheat into my BARN.")   *One of these days "I'M A-GOING TO THE BARN!"  t(Heb.4:12-word is quick)

  Also, it is interesting to note that on this judgement day, before it is all over, the king will reveal the TRUTH ABOUT BIRTH!-(The phrase "the third day"-v.18 is important in relation to this birth-story!)  Which harlot (sinner) has experienced THIS BIRTH?-(Mamas REMEMBER the birth of their children!....They RECORD the birth!....They RELATE to the birth!)  *ONE harlot knew how it felt on the INSIDE when that birth occured, but the other knew nothing but DEATH!  Also, according to v.19, the lying harlot was the one responsible for the DEATH of her own child!

(3)-THE TRUTH WAS SERIOUS-(their attitude)
*It is interesting to note that the one woman WANTED RIGHT, was WORRIED about what was RIGHT, and in the end she was WONDERFULLY RIGHT!
The TRUTHFUL HARLOT approaches the king with a reverent fear, and has worry and dread for what might happen.....the LYING HARLOT isn't worried about anything at all!-(LIKE MANY WHO HAVE BLOCKED GOD OUT OF ALL THEIR THOUGHTS!)  By drawing a sword that day, the king invoked a confession!

(4)-THE TRUTH WAS SPOKEN-(her acknowledgement)
(Matt.12:36-37-"But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account therelf in the day of judgement. For by THY WORDS thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.")
*What the truthful woman said that day came out from her HEART, while the other harlot continued in judgement speaking from her HEAD!

(5)-THE TRUTH WAS SUFFICIENT-(her award)
The GENUINE MOTHER got her WISHES
The GREAT MULTITUDES grasped his WISDOM
(John 14:6-"Iam the way the TRUTH, and the life......")