Adversaries Raised Against Solomon
1 Kings 11:14-25
1 K.11.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שטן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשלמה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האדמי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מזרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- באדום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:23 (structural): Same chapter: the LORD also 'raised up' Rezon son of Eliadah as an adversary to Solomon—another parallel instance of God stirring a foreign opponent against him.
- 1 Kings 11:26-40 (thematic): The account of Jeroboam's rise (and Ahijah's prophecy) presents a parallel adversary and shows the broader theme of God bringing about opposition and the loss of the kingdom because of Solomon's sins.
- Exodus 9:16 (verbal): God tells Pharaoh 'for this purpose I have raised you up'—uses similar language and the theological idea that God raises rulers/adversaries to display his power or carry out judgment.
- Isaiah 10:5-6 (thematic): God describes Assyria as 'the rod of my anger' sent against nations—a thematic parallel of God appointing foreign powers as instruments of judgment against his people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon: Hadad the Edomite—he was of the king's line in Edom.
- Then the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon: Hadad the Edomite, of the king's line; he was in Edom.
1 K.11.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בהיות: PREP+VERB,qal,ptc,0,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעלות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יואב: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הצבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקבר: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- החללים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- זכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באדום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 8:6 (verbal): Parallel account of David’s campaign in Edom that likewise reports Joab’s killing of all the males in Edom—Kings here echoes the Samuel narrative.
- 2 Samuel 8:13-14 (thematic): Describes David’s reputation after striking the Syrians and Edom (the Valley of Salt) and placing garrisons in Edom; provides the broader military context for the Edomite slaughter mentioned in Kings.
- 1 Chronicles 18:12-13 (quotation): Direct parallel in Chronicles recounting Joab’s slaughter of Edom and David’s subsequent domination—Chronicles and Kings both draw on the same annalistic source.
- Psalm 108:9 (cf. Psalm 60:9) (thematic): Uses imagery of subduing Edom (’over Edom will I cast out my shoe’), reflecting the tradition of Davidic victories and Israel’s domination of Edom referenced in the historical narratives.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came about when David had been in Edom that Joab the commander of the army was there to bury the slain; and he struck every male in Edom.
- Now when David was subduing Edom, Joab the commander of the army went to bury the slain and struck down every male in Edom.
1 K.11.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- ששת: NUM,m,pl,cons
- חדשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- יואב: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- הכרית: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- זכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באדום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 8:6 (verbal): Parallel report of Joab's campaign in Edom—Joab remains and strikes down the men of Edom; closely parallels the claim that Joab and Israel stayed until all the males in Edom were cut off.
- 1 Chronicles 18:12 (verbal): Chronicler's retelling of the same event: Joab and the army in Edom with a corresponding report of large-scale killing of Edomites; repeats the core factual claim in different canonical context.
- 2 Samuel 8:13-14 (structural): Places the Edomite campaign within David's wider victories and the subjugation of Edom, providing the broader military and political framework for the action described in 1 Kgs 11:16.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (thematic): Thematic parallel of total annihilation rhetoric—God/commander orders the destruction of an enemy (Amalek); echoes the motif of cutting off an enemy population, especially males, as a wartime/divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- For six months Joab and all Israel remained there until they had cut off every male in Edom.
- For six months Joab and all Israel remained there until they had cut off every male in Edom.
1 K.11.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויברח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אדד: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ואנשים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אדמיים: NOUN,prop,m,pl,abs
- מעבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- והדד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קטן: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 11:14 (thematic): Immediately parallel narrative: God raises adversaries against Solomon—Rezon is raised as another opponent, like Hadad (v.17), showing multiple foes stirred against Solomon.
- 1 Kgs 11:20 (verbal): Continues the same episode: describes Hadad’s reception in Egypt—his favor with Pharaoh, provision, and standing at the king’s table, expanding on Hadad’s flight mentioned in 11:17.
- 1 Kgs 11:21-22 (thematic): Reports Hadad’s later activity as an adversary to Israel after gathering support—this shows the outcome of the flight to Egypt and frames Hadad’s role against Solomon.
- Gen 36:31-39 (allusion): Lists kings of Edom (including figures named Hadad), paralleling the Edomite identity of Hadad in 1 Kgs 11:17 and situating the name within Edomite royal traditions.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Hadad himself fled—he and certain Edomites who served his father—with him to go to Egypt; Hadad was a young lad.
- But Hadad fled—he and certain Edomites who had served his father—into Egypt; Hadad was a young lad.
1 K.11.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ממדין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פארן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מפארן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולחם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- וארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1Kings 11:17 (structural): Immediate narrative context: introduces Hadad the Edomite’s flight and exile to Egypt, setting up the account of his coming to Pharaoh (same episode).
- 1Kings 11:19 (verbal): Direct continuation of the same story — states that Pharaoh gave Hadad a house and land, echoing the gifts/offers to which v.11:18 refers.
- Genesis 21:21 (allusion): Paran appears as the dwelling place of Ishmael and his descendants; locates the region (Paran) associated with Midianite/Ishmaelite movements mentioned in 1 Kgs 11:18.
- Genesis 37:25-28 (thematic): Describes Midianite/Ishmaelite involvement in transporting people to Egypt (Joseph’s sale), thematically paralleling Midianite movement and contact with Egypt in 1 Kgs 11:18.
- 1Kings 11:23-25 (structural): Parallel frame within the chapter: Rezon’s rise (another exile/adversary who becomes a regional ruler) provides a thematic counterpoint to Hadad’s exile-to-Egypt and later opposition to Solomon.
Alternative generated candidates
- They rose up from Midian and came to Paran; they took men of Paran with them and came into Egypt to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and Pharaoh gave him a house, provisions, and land.
- They arose from Midian and came to Paran, taking people of Paran with them, and came into Egypt to Pharaoh king of Egypt. Pharaoh gave him a house, provisions, and land.
1 K.11.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאד: ADV
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אחות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- אחות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תחפניס: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- הגבירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 11:14-22 (structural): Immediate narrative context — the fuller account of Hadad the Edomite’s flight to Egypt, his favor at Pharaoh’s court, and the circumstances that explain v.19 within the same episode.
- Gen 41:41-45 (verbal): Pharaoh elevates a foreigner and 'gives him a wife' (Asenath) and high status — a close verbal and thematic parallel of an Egyptian ruler favoring and providing an Egyptian wife to an outsider.
- Gen 12:17-20 (thematic): Pharaoh takes Sarai into his house after Abram’s arrival and treats the situation as one involving the ruler’s harem/household — comparable motifs of an Egyptian ruler and foreign women in his household.
- Dan 1:9 (thematic): God grants Daniel favor and goodwill with a royal official; parallels the motif of a foreigner finding special favor in the eyes of an Egyptian (or royal) authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hadad found favor in Pharaoh's sight, and Pharaoh gave him the sister of his wife—Tahpenes the queen—as a wife.
- Hadad found favor in Pharaoh’s sight, and Pharaoh gave him the sister of his wife—the sister of Tahpenes the queen—as a wife.
1 K.11.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותלד: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אחות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תחפניס: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- גנבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,f,sg
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ותגמלהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- תחפנס: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בתוך: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- גנבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,f,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בתוך: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 2:10 (verbal): Moses is taken and raised in Pharaoh’s household (language of being reared 'in the house of Pharaoh'), paralleling the motif of an Israelite child brought up in Pharaoh’s house.
- Genesis 41:45 (thematic): Joseph is installed in Pharaoh’s court and becomes part of the royal household—another instance of an Israelite placed into and assimilated within Pharaoh’s house.
- 1 Kings 11:40 (structural): Within the same narrative cycle, Jeroboam flees to Egypt and remains 'in Pharaoh’s house' until Solomon’s death; this verse is a direct narrative parallel/continuation of the motif in chapter 11.
- Acts 7:20 (quotation): Stephen’s speech echoes Exodus’ language about Moses being brought up in Pharaoh’s house, showing New Testament reuse of the formula describing an Israelite raised in the Egyptian royal household.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sister of Tahpenes bore him a son, Genubath; she weaned him in Pharaoh's house, and he was counted among Pharaoh's sons.
- The sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son. Tahpenes weaned him in Pharaoh’s house, and Genubath was among Pharaoh’s sons.
1 K.11.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והדד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- במצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- וכי: CONJ
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- יואב: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הצבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלחני: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- ואלך: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ארצי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:14 (thematic): Same narrative cluster introducing Hadad the Edomite as an adversary to Solomon; frames Hadad’s opposition to the Davidic house.
- 1 Kings 2:10 (verbal): Uses the identical formula 'David slept with his fathers'—the report of David’s death that Hadad is said to have heard.
- 1 Kings 2:31-34 (structural): Records the death of Joab the commander on Solomon’s orders; explains the statement that 'Joab the commander was dead' which triggers Hadad’s return.
- 1 Kings 11:40 (thematic): Narrates Jeroboam’s flight to and refuge in Egypt under Pharaoh—parallels Hadad’s sojourn in Egypt and the pattern of Egyptian asylum for rivals to Solomon.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Hadad heard in Egypt that David had lain with his fathers and that Joab the commander was dead; and Hadad said to Pharaoh, 'Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.'
- When Hadad heard in Egypt that David had lain down with his fathers (was dead) and that Joab the commander was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Send me away that I may return to my own country.”
1 K.11.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- מה: PRON,int
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- חסר: ADJ,m,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- והנך: PRT
- מבקש: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- ארצך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- כי: CONJ
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תשלחני: VERB,qal,imprf,2,m,sg,+1cs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs.11:40 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Pharaoh sends Jeroboam back to his land, showing the outcome of Pharaoh’s offer and Jeroboam’s departure (same narrative thread).
- Ezra 1:1-4 (thematic): A foreign monarch (Cyrus) publicly authorizes and facilitates the return of Israelites to their homeland—parallel theme of a non‑Israelite ruler enabling/allowing movement of Israelite persons to their own land.
- Gen.45:9-11 (thematic): Joseph, an Israelite in a foreign court, invites and arranges for his family to move to Egypt; both texts involve Israelites’ residence and movement under the authority of a foreign ruler/host.
- Exod.12:31-32 (thematic): Pharaoh’s command that Israel depart Egypt highlights the motif of a foreign ruler deciding about the people’s coming or going—contrastive parallel about hospitality and release by an Egyptian king.
- Ruth 1:8-9 (thematic): Naomi’s urging her daughters‑in‑law to return to their own homes/countries echoes the personal decision to leave a household/host and go back to one’s native land, matching Jeroboam’s request to be allowed to return home.
Alternative generated candidates
- Pharaoh said to him, 'What more do you lack with me that you would go to your own land?' He answered, 'Nothing; but send me away.'
- Pharaoh said to him, “What do you lack here with me that you would go to your own land?” He answered, “Nothing—yet send me away that I may go.”
1 K.11.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שטן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- רזון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלידע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ברח: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- מאת: PREP
- הדדעזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- צובה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אדניו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+POSS,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:14 (structural): Same chapter: God 'raised up' an adversary (Hadad the Edomite) against Solomon — parallel pattern of God appointing opponents as judgment.
- 1 Kings 11:25 (verbal): Direct follow-up in chapter describing Rezon’s opposition — repeats the idea that Rezon became an adversary to Israel and established himself in Damascus.
- Judges 2:14-15 (thematic): God hands Israel over to enemies as punishment ('sold them into the hands of their enemies'), matching the theme of God permitting or raising adversaries against his ruler/people.
- Psalm 81:12 (thematic): God 'gave them over' to their stubborn heart — similar theological motif of God relinquishing/allowing people into the control of adversaries because of disobedience.
- Hosea 13:11 (thematic): God says 'I gave you a king in my anger' — another prophetic formulation of God appointing rulers/adversaries as an expression of divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And God raised up an adversary to him: Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from Hadadezer king of Zobah, his lord.
- Then God raised up an adversary to Solomon also: Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from Hadadezer king of Zobah.
1 K.11.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקבץ: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בהרג: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- דמשק: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- וימלכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בדמשק: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:23 (structural): Immediate context — the preceding verse says Hadad escaped from David and “gathered men about him,” providing the direct narrative lead‑in to v.24’s report of men going to and settling in Damascus.
- 1 Kings 11:25 (thematic): Continues the same episode — introduces Rezon who strengthens himself, dwells in Damascus, and becomes an adversary to Israel, thematically linked to the settlement and hostility described in v.24.
- 2 Samuel 8:6 (verbal): Parallel report of David’s actions against Aramean/Damascus forces: David defeats them and places garrisons in Damascus—echoing v.24’s note that these men went to and were established in Damascus under local authority.
- 1 Chronicles 18:5-6 (verbal): Chronicles retells the same stratum of tradition as 2 Samuel, describing David’s victories over Damascus and the placement of garrisons there, paralleling the settlement and subjection in 1 Kgs 11:24.
Alternative generated candidates
- He gathered men to himself and became the leader of a band; they went to Damascus, settled there, and he reigned in Damascus.
- He gathered men to himself and became leader of a marauding band; they went to Damascus, dwelt there, and he reigned in Damascus.
1 K.11.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שטן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:14 (verbal): Introduces Hadad as one whom the LORD 'raised up' or set as an adversary to Solomon — directly parallels the statement that Hadad was an adversary to Israel.
- 1 Kings 11:23 (verbal): Speaks of Rezon being raised up as another adversary who ruled over Aram — parallels the mention here of Rezon/Aram as enemies opposing Israel during Solomon's reign.
- 1 Kings 11:26 (thematic): Begins the account of Jeroboam as an adversary/rebel against Solomon — thematically related as another rival raised up against Solomon and Israel.
- 1 Kings 11:35-36 (thematic): God's judgment promise to tear the kingdom from Solomon and give ten tribes to Jeroboam — provides the theological background explaining why adversaries like Hadad and Rezon arose against Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- He was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, and the trouble Hadad stirred up afflicted Israel; and Rezon reigned over Aram.
- He was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, besides the trouble that Hadad stirred up against Israel, and he reigned over Aram.
And the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon: Hadad the Edomite, of the royal line in Edom.
While David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army was burying the slain and struck every male in Edom.
For Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until they had cut off every male in Edom. But Hadad himself fled; certain Edomites, servants of his father, fled with him to go down to Egypt—Hadad was but a lad.
They rose up from Midian and went to Paran; they took men from Paran with them and came into Egypt to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and Pharaoh gave him a house, food, and land.
Hadad found favor with Pharaoh; Pharaoh gave him the sister of his wife, the sister of Queen Tahpenes, as a wife.
The sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath; Tahpenes reared him in Pharaoh's household, and Genubath became as one of Pharaoh's sons.
When Hadad heard in Egypt that David had slept with his fathers and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, 'Send me away that I may go to my own country.'
Pharaoh asked him, 'What lack have you with me that you ask to go to your land?' He answered, 'Nothing; but let me go.' And God also raised up an adversary for Solomon: Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from Hadadezer king of Zobah, his lord.
He gathered men to himself, became captain of a marauding band; they went to Damascus, settled there, and he reigned in Damascus.
He was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, adding to the trouble that Hadad had stirred up against Israel; and he reigned over Aram.