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

1 KINGS 11:14KJV
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1 Kings 11:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 11:14 mean?

1 Kings 11:14 says that the LORD caused an enemy to rise up against King Solomon, specifically Hadad the Edomite, who was from the royal family of Edom. This verse shows that Solomon’s troubles began as a result of God’s action, not just human politics.

The verse is set during Solomon’s reign over Israel, after he had turned away from following God fully. The text highlights that God Himself (“the LORD”) was behind the stirring up of Hadad as an adversary. Hadad’s identity as an Edomite and a member of Edom’s royal line hints at a longstanding rivalry and sets the stage for further conflict in the story.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 11:14

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that it was God’s direct decision to act against Solomon.
  • stirred up (קוּם, qum): This word means to raise up or cause to arise. It shows that Hadad’s opposition was not random but initiated by God.
  • adversary (שָׂטָן, satan): This word means an opponent or enemy. Here, it refers to a human adversary, not a supernatural being.
  • seed (זֶרַע, zera‘): This means offspring or descendant. The verse points out that Hadad was of royal blood in Edom, making him a legitimate threat.

Why 1 Kings 11:14 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Solomon’s problems were not just the result of his own actions or political missteps, but were a direct response from God to Solomon’s unfaithfulness.
  • By naming Hadad as an Edomite of royal descent, the verse connects this conflict to earlier tensions between Israel and Edom, showing that old rivalries could resurface under God’s direction.
  • This verse marks a turning point in Solomon’s reign, signaling the beginning of his decline and the fulfillment of warnings about the consequences of turning away from God.

Where else these words appear

“Hadad” Hebrew H1908 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 36:35 And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.
  • 1 Kings 11:19 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:46 And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.

“Edomite” Hebrew H130 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 23:7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.
  • 1 Samuel 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
  • 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

“adversary” Hebrew H7854 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
  • Job 2:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

“Edom” Hebrew H123 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
  • 1 Kings 11:15 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;
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.