1 Kings 11 17

1 Kings 11:17 kjv

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

1 Kings 11:17 nkjv

that Hadad fled to go to Egypt, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him. Hadad was still a little child.

1 Kings 11:17 niv

But Hadad, still only a boy, fled to Egypt with some Edomite officials who had served his father.

1 Kings 11:17 esv

But Hadad fled to Egypt, together with certain Edomites of his father's servants, Hadad still being a little child.

1 Kings 11:17 nlt

But Hadad and a few of his father's royal officials escaped and headed for Egypt. (Hadad was just a boy at the time.)

1 Kings 11 verses

1 Kings 11 17 Meaning

1 Kings 11:17 states that Hadad, an Edomite prince who escaped the slaughter by King David's army, fled to Egypt. He was accompanied by a contingent of his father's loyal Edomite servants. This act established a safe haven for him in the land of Egypt, setting the stage for his future role as an adversary against King Solomon. The verse signifies the strategic importance of Egypt as a historical refuge for political exiles from the Levant.

1 Kings 11 17 Context

First Kings chapter 11 details the decline of King Solomon. After a glorious reign, Solomon fell into idolatry, violating Mosaic commands by marrying many foreign women who turned his heart after their gods (1 Kgs 11:1-8). Because of this profound disobedience, the Lord declared He would tear the kingdom from him, though for the sake of David His servant, He would leave one tribe (1 Kgs 11:9-13). As part of this divine judgment, God raised up adversaries against Solomon.

Hadad the Edomite is introduced in 1 Kings 11:14 as the first of these adversaries. Verse 17 delves into his backstory, explaining how he, a royal descendant of Edom, managed to survive the massacre instigated by David's commander Joab (recounted in 1 Kgs 11:15-16). Edom, historically a rival and often an enemy of Israel (descendants of Esau), had been subjugated by King David. Hadad's flight to Egypt highlights the diplomatic complexities of the region, where Egypt often provided asylum to political rivals of ruling powers in Canaan, potentially as a strategic leverage point. His journey into Egypt set the stage for him to gain favor with the Pharaoh and later pose a threat to Solomon's kingdom.

1 Kings 11 17 Word Analysis

• And Hadad fled (וַיִּבְרַ֤ח חֲדַד֙ - vayyivraḥ ḥaḏaḏ):

  • וַיִּבְרַח (vayyivraḥ): "And he fled/escaped." The verb baraḥ signifies an urgent and purposeful departure, often in the face of danger or threat. It highlights Hadad's survival instinct and quick action to evade destruction.
  • חֲדַד (ḥaḏaḏ): Hadad was an Edomite royal name, also the name of a storm god prominent in ancient Near Eastern paganism. This association subtly underscores the pagan religious context surrounding this figure who became an "adversary."

• he and certain Edomites (ה֣וּא וַאֲנָשִׁ֧ים אֲדֹמִ֛ים - hû waʾănašîm ʾăḏomîm):

  • אֲנָשִׁים (ʾănašîm): "men, people." Indicates that Hadad was not alone but accompanied by loyal individuals.
  • אֲדֹמִים (ʾăḏomîm): "Edomites." Specifies their nationality, reinforcing their lineage from a nation consistently hostile to Israel.

• of his father's servants with him (מֵעַבְדֵ֥י אָבִ֖יו אִתּ֑וֹ - mêʿaḇdəʾê ʾāḇîw ʾittô):

  • מֵעַבְדֵי אָבִיו (mêʿaḇdəʾê ʾāḇîw): "from the servants of his father." This detail emphasizes Hadad's royal standing even in exile and the loyalty of the Edomite court. It indicates that some key personnel from the previous regime survived and remained faithful to the royal line, ensuring continuity for a potential future restoration.

• to go into Egypt (לָב֣וֹא מִצְרָֽיְמָה - lāḇô miṣrayĕmâ):

  • לָבוֹא (lāḇô): "to come/go." The infinitive here expresses purpose.
  • מִצְרָֽיְמָה (miṣrayĕmâ): "into Egypt." Egypt was a well-known refuge for those escaping conflicts or famine in the Levant, often a place where powerful foreign rulers could be granted asylum and resources, forming political alliances or tools against their neighbors. For Israel, Egypt often symbolized both deliverance and temptation away from divine trust.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And Hadad fled... to go into Egypt": This phrase encapsulates Hadad's survival and immediate strategic move. His flight wasn't random but directed towards a known geopolitical power that might shelter him. This action directly contrasts with Israel's divinely mandated trust in YHWH rather than seeking foreign alliances or refuge in Egypt (Deut 17:16, Isa 31:1).
  • "he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him": This group identifies a core, loyal remnant of the Edomite royal house. Their loyalty sustained Hadad's royal legitimacy even in exile, indicating that this wasn't just an individual's escape, but the preservation of a line.

1 Kings 11 17 Bonus section

The Hebrew word "Satan" (שָׂטָן - satan) is often translated as "adversary" or "accuser." In 1 Kgs 11:14, it is explicitly stated that "the Lord raised up an adversary (שָׂטָן) against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite." This means that Hadad, a human agent, became an instrument of God's righteous judgment against Solomon's apostasy. His escape to Egypt, detailed in this verse, therefore, directly links to his divine purpose as an "adversary." This points to God's sovereign control over even seemingly independent actions of foreign leaders and nations. The fact that he was harbored by the Pharaoh indicates the deep political maneuvering between regional powers and how divine providence can work through these complex relationships.

1 Kings 11 17 Commentary

1 Kings 11:17 provides the critical background for Hadad, a divinely ordained adversary against King Solomon. This verse illustrates the immediate survival strategy of Hadad, a young royal from Edom, following the devastating conquest of his land by King David. His flight to Egypt, accompanied by loyal remnants of his father's court, demonstrates both his tenacity and the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East. Egypt frequently served as a haven for political refugees, particularly those who might be useful pawns against neighboring kingdoms. Hadad's seeking asylum there signifies a common practice, highlighting that his subsequent opposition to Solomon was not a spontaneous event but carefully cultivated over years under Egyptian protection. The verse subtly underscores that even such seemingly secular political maneuvers are part of God's overarching plan to execute judgment, specifically against Solomon's heart which had turned away from the Lord.