What Does 1 Kings 3:16 Mean in the King James?

Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.

1 Kings 3:16 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Before their story is heard, the women stand in the place where judgment can happen.

THE MEANING

Two women, each identified as a harlot, come to the king and stand before him. The verse places them in the space where a decision can be made, before either has spoken.

THE ROOT

וַתַּעֲמֹדְנָה

vata'amodnah

GROWS FROM

עמד

ʿ-m-d

To stand, take a position, or remain.

“stood” in this verse is vata'amodnah. The verb carries more than physical posture: the women take their place before the king, present in the space of judgment. The same root forms words for a standing support and a person’s position, joining presence with the place one occupies.

ALSO GROWS

ʿammûd: Pillar or column

עָמוּד

A pillar is something that stands; this branch echoes the women’s upright presence before the king.

maʿămād: Position or standing

מַעֲמָד

The women are not only arriving; they occupy a position before the authority who can hear their case.

THE PATTERN

A matter enters judgment when the people within it stand before those able to hear it.

And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Numbers 27:2 · KJVThe daughters of Zelophehad stand before leaders and the congregation to bring their claim into view.

Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

Deuteronomy 19:17 · KJVBoth sides of a dispute stand before those appointed to hear and judge it.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:10 · KJVThe same pattern reaches every reader: all stand before the judgment seat.

THE THREAD

Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

Deuteronomy 19:17 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨עמד⁩ (ʿamad), “stand,” to place people directly before authority. Deuteronomy states the judicial pattern; 1 Kings gives it a scene, with two women standing before the king.

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