Hadad the Edomite

Hadad the Edomite is a character mentioned in the First Book of Kings who was an adversary of King Solomon after Solomon turned to idols. Some scholars consider the text should read Hadad the Aramean.[1]

1 Kings 11:14 And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite.

According to the record in 1 Kings Hadad was a survivor of the royal house of Edom after the slaughter at the hands of Joab, and escaped as a child to Egypt where he was raised by Pharaoh and married the queen's sister. After the death of King David Hadad returned to try to reclaim the throne of Edom.[2] Hadad's campaign to recapture Edom apparently met with success as the Book of Kings states that Hadad did "evil" to King Solomon after gathering together a "marauding band"; Hadad "abhorred Israel and reigned over Aram (Syria)".[3] Further, an Edomite princess is listed among the wives of King Solomon.[4] As King David exterminated the Edomite royal house with Hadad being the only survivor, it stands to reason that King Solomon married a relative of Hadad, perhaps a daughter.

Along with Rezon the Syrian Hadad is one of two characters described as a satan to Solomon, a word which was left untranslated and transliterated into Greek letters in the Septuagint.

References

  1. ↑ Habakkuk: Volume 44 - Page 117 Robert Donel Haak - 1992 André Lemaire, 'Hadad 1'Edomite ou Hadad 1'Arameen?' Biblische Notizen 43 (1988) 14-18 who concludes that it is likely that ... and Aram Naharaim,' in The Biblical Archaeologist Reader, "
  2. ↑ ESV 1 Kings 11:14 He was of the royal house in Edom. 15 For when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army went up to bury the slain, he struck down every male in Edom 16 (for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom). 17 But Hadad fled to Egypt, together with certain Edomites of his father's servants, Hadad still being a little child. 18 They set out from Midian and came to Paran and took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house and assigned him an allowance of food and gave him land. 19 And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. 20 And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of Pharaoh. 21 But when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.” 22 But Pharaoh said to him, “What have you lacked with me that you are now seeking to go to your own country?” And he said to him, “Only let me depart.”
  3. ↑ 1 Kings 11:24-25.
  4. ↑ 1 Kings 11:1.
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