Prostitutes

Scripture names very few women by this description, and where it does, the label is stated plainly and then the narrative goes on to treat them as people with agency, judgement and faith.

Rahab lived in the wall of Jericho and is introduced as a prostitute who took in the two spies Joshua sent (Joshua 2:1). She hid them under the flax on her roof, misdirected the king's messengers, and bargained for her household before letting the men down by a scarlet cord (Joshua 2:4-21). When the city fell, Joshua ordered that she and all who belonged to her be spared, and the text notes that she lived in Israel from that day (Joshua 6:22-25). The New Testament cites her twice as an example - by faith Rahab did not perish with those who were disobedient (Hebrews 11:31), and she was justified by works when she received the messengers (James 2:25). Matthew places her in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

The two mothers who came before Solomon are identified the same way. Two women who were prostitutes brought a living child and a dead one to the king, each claiming the living son. Solomon called for a sword, and the woman whose compassion for her son moved her to surrender him rather than see him divided was recognised as the mother (1 Kings 3:16-28). The account is the demonstration of the wisdom Solomon had asked for, and its two witnesses are women the text does not name.

Both entries here are records of what Scripture says about them, not judgements added to it. In each case the text is candid about the trade and then records the woman doing something the narrative approves.