1 Kings 11:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Hadad became a great favorite of Pharaoh, so that he gave him his own wife's sister in marriage, that is, the sister of Tachp'neis the queen.

Berean Standard Bible:

There Hadad found such great favor in the sight of Pharaoh that he gave to him in marriage the sister of Queen Tahpenes, his own wife.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Hadad{H1908} found{H4672} great{H3966} favour{H2580} in the sight{H5869} of Pharaoh{H6547}, so that he gave{H5414} him to wife{H802} the sister{H269} of his own wife{H802}, the sister{H269} of Tahpenes{H8472} the queen{H1377}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 39:4

  • And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.

Jeremiah 43:7

  • So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they [even] to Tahpanhes.

Jeremiah 43:9

  • Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which [is] at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;

Acts 7:10

  • And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

Genesis 41:45

  • And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over [all] the land of Egypt.

Genesis 39:21

  • But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Acts 7:21

  • And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for 1 Kings 11:19

1 Kings 11:19 is a part of the narrative concerning King Solomon's reign and the challenges that arose to threaten the stability of his kingdom. The verse specifically mentions Hadad the Edomite, who is an adversary to Solomon. Hadad had fled to Egypt to seek refuge from Solomon's rule, and while there, he found favor in the eyes of Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt.

The historical context of this verse is set during the peak of Solomon's power and wealth, yet it also marks the beginning of the decline of his kingdom. Solomon's reign, which initially was characterized by divine wisdom and international prestige, started to suffer due to his disobedience to God's laws, particularly in marrying foreign women and allowing the worship of other gods within his kingdom.

The themes present in this verse include divine favor and the political maneuverings of the time. Hadad's positive reception in Egypt and his marriage to Pharaoh's wife's sister, who is also related to Tahpenes the queen, illustrates the close ties between rulers and the significance of marriage alliances in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy. This marriage would have solidified Hadad's status and possibly provided him with resources and support for his future endeavors against Solomon.

Furthermore, the verse reflects the broader theme of the consequences of Solomon's actions. The favor shown to Hadad by Pharaoh can be seen as an indirect judgment on Solomon, as his enemies are being empowered due to his own missteps. This event foreshadows the eventual division of Solomon's kingdom after his death, as internal and external pressures mount due to his failure to uphold the covenant with God.

In summary, 1 Kings 11:19 captures a moment of political intrigue and alliance-building in the ancient world, highlighting the complex relationships between rulers. It also serves as a pivotal point in the narrative of Solomon's reign, illustrating the divine retribution that begins to unfold as a result of his infidelity to the Lord's commandments.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H1908
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הֲדַד
    Transliteration: Hădad
    Pronunciation: had-ad'
    Description: probably of foreign origin (compare אֲדַד); Hadad, the name of an idol, and of several kings of Edom; Hadad.
  2. Strong's Number: H4672
    There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָצָא
    Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
    Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
  3. Strong's Number: H3966
    There are 278 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מְאֹד
    Transliteration: mᵉʼôd
    Pronunciation: meh-ode'
    Description: from the same as אוּד; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well.
  4. Strong's Number: H2580
    There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֵן
    Transliteration: chên
    Pronunciation: khane
    Description: from חָנַן; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty); favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favoured.
  5. Strong's Number: H5869
    There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עַיִן
    Transliteration: ʻayin
    Pronunciation: ah'-yin
    Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
  6. Strong's Number: H6547
    There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
    Transliteration: Parʻôh
    Pronunciation: par-o'
    Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh.
  7. Strong's Number: H5414
    There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָתַן
    Transliteration: nâthan
    Pronunciation: naw-than'
    Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
  8. Strong's Number: H802
    There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִשָּׁה
    Transliteration: ʼishshâh
    Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
    Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
  9. Strong's Number: H269
    There are 301 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָחוֹת
    Transliteration: ʼâchôwth
    Pronunciation: aw-khoth'
    Description: irregular feminine of אָח; a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively); (an-) other, sister, together.
  10. Strong's Number: H8472
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תַּחְפְּנֵיס
    Transliteration: Tachpᵉnêyç
    Pronunciation: takh-pen-ace'
    Description: of Egyptian derivation; Tachpenes, an Egyptian woman; Tahpenes.
  11. Strong's Number: H1377
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גְּבִירָה
    Transliteration: gᵉbîyrâh
    Pronunciation: gheb-ee-raw'
    Description: feminine of גְּבִיר; a mistress; queen.