Who is Hadad the Edomite in this passage?

Hadad is introduced as an Edomite from the royal family line in Edom. When David and Joab carried out a fierce campaign in Edom and tried to cut off all the males, Hadad was just a small child. His father’s servants rescued him and fled with him toward Egypt. There he grew up under Pharaoh’s protection, received a house, land, and daily provision, and even married the sister of the queen. Later, when David and Joab were dead, Hadad chose to return to his own country and became an enemy to Solomon and Israel.

What does it mean that the Lord stirred up an adversary against Solomon?

The words “the Lord stirred up an adversary” show that this trouble did not happen by accident. God allowed and directed Hadad’s rise as an enemy to Solomon as a form of discipline. While Solomon walked closely with God, he had peace on every side. After he turned from God, even a man from a smaller nation could become a real problem. The passage reminds us that God is in control of both peace and conflict, and he can use opponents to wake his people up when they stray.

Why did Hadad flee to Egypt as a child?

Hadad fled to Egypt because David’s army, led by Joab, had struck Edom very hard and tried to kill every male. During this time of slaughter and burial of the dead, Hadad’s father’s servants managed to escape with the boy. They travelled through Midian and Paran and then on to Egypt. Egypt was a natural place to seek safety and support from a powerful king. There, Pharaoh took pity on the young prince, gave him a home, food, and land, and later tied him into the royal family by marriage.

Why did Pharaoh treat Hadad so kindly and not want him to leave?

Pharaoh seems to have taken a strong liking to Hadad as he grew up. He gave him a house, regular food, land to support him, and finally the sister of the queen as a wife. Their child, Genubath, was raised in Pharaoh’s own household among his sons, which shows how fully Hadad was welcomed. When Hadad later asked to return to his own country, Pharaoh questioned him kindly, asking what he had lacked. Pharaoh’s words show he thought he had provided well and did not want to lose someone he favoured.

Why did Hadad want to go back to his own country if Egypt treated him well?

Hadad admits to Pharaoh that he had lacked nothing in Egypt. He had comfort, honour, and family ties in the royal court. Still, he pressed to return home once he heard that David and Joab were dead. The passage points to a deep pull toward his own land and people and likely a desire to recover what had been lost. His return became part of how God raised up opposition to Solomon. It also reflects how the desire for one’s homeland can remain strong, even when life in a foreign place seems good.

What does this passage show about the consequences of earlier actions in David’s time?

This story shows that choices made in one generation can bring trouble in another. David’s hard treatment of Edom and Joab’s attempt to cut off all the males created deep hatred and left surviving enemies like Hadad. Solomon later enjoyed the gains from those wars in wealth and territory, but he also had to face the bitterness they left behind. When Solomon turned from God, these old enemies were allowed to rise up. It is a sober reminder that being harsh or provoking others can bring lasting wounds that return later.

What does this passage teach about God’s character and discipline?

The passage shows that God is patient yet serious about sin. He did not at once tear the kingdom from Solomon, but he did begin to discipline him. God stirred up adversaries like Hadad to disturb the peace Solomon once enjoyed. This was not random; it was part of God’s wise correction. At the same time, God’s control over history is clear: he can use even foreign kings and old grudges to carry out his purposes. God remains just and sovereign, and his people cannot ignore him without consequences.

1Kgs.11.14

1 Kings 11:14

KJV

¶ And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.

Hadad’s Return

¶ And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.

For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;

(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)

That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.

And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.

And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.

And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh.

And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.

Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.