Virtuartnet

Group two: Justice
The young King Solomon asked God, who appeared to him in a dream, only one request:
"Give Thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and evil" (I Kings 3:9)
And this wish was granted him. The story goes on to tell of a serious challenge presented to his power of judgment: two young mothers, one of whom has lost her baby, each insisting that the living baby is hers and the dead one belongs to the other woman. Solomon's judgment is stratling in its cruelty:
"Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other."
This image describes the dramatic moment when the guard is ready to carry out king1s command and waves his sword over the baby, who, unaware of anything, plays innocently with the guard's beard. The reaction of the two women reveals Solomon"s clever trick: one immediately gives up on justice as long as the child is allowed to live, while the other clasps her fingers in total indifference and says "Divide it", thus revealing that she is not the true mother. Solomon's raised hand stops the guard and precedes his announcement of the justice that has emerged.
Behind Solomon stands the Queen of Sheba, looking with admiration at his wisdom. In point of fact, she is not mentioned in the Biblical story, but according to an ancient Jewish tradition she was present on the occasion.
The whole incident takes place near the palace wall, and we see glimpses of the palace gardens, inhabited by animals and flourishing vegetation.
Shlomo Katz