1 Kings 11:15

Translation
King James Version
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;
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KJV (with Strong's)
For it came to pass, when David H1732 was in Edom H123, and Joab H3097 the captain H8269 of the host H6635 was gone up H5927 to bury H6912 the slain H2491, after he had smitten H5221 every male H2145 in Edom H123;
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Complete Jewish Bible
Back when David had been in Edom, and Yo'av the commander of the army had gone up to bury the dead, having killed every male in Edom
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Berean Standard Bible
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom.
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American Standard Version
For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, and had smitten every male in Edom
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World English Bible Messianic
For when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the army was gone up to bury the slain, and had struck every male in Edom
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Geneva Bible (1599)
For when Dauid was in Edom, and Ioab the captaine of the hoste had smitten all the males in Edom, and was gone vp to bury ye slaine,
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Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, in David's being with Edom, in the going up of Joab head of the host to bury the slain, that he smiteth every male in Edom--
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See also
2 Samuel 8:141 Chronicles 18:121 Chronicles 18:13Deuteronomy 20:13Numbers 31:17Genesis 27:40Genesis 25:23
See on the biblical-era map
City Plan: Jerusalem in the Time of Solomon
City Plan: Jerusalem in the Time of Solomon View full PDF
Solomon’s Wars and Death
Solomon’s Wars and Death View full PDF

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In the KJVVerse 9,124 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

1 Kings 11:15 serves as a crucial historical flashback, elucidating the origins of Hadad the Edomite's lifelong animosity toward Israel, a figure God raised as an adversary against King Solomon. This verse details the brutal conquest of Edom during King David's reign, specifically highlighting the extensive military campaign led by Joab, David's commander, who remained in Edom to systematically eliminate the male population, thereby ensuring complete subjugation and preventing future rebellion. This severe act of war directly explains Hadad's flight to Egypt as a young boy and his subsequent return to trouble Solomon's kingdom, demonstrating God's sovereign use of past events to fulfill His disciplinary purposes.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse immediately follows 1 Kings 11:14, which introduces Hadad the Edomite as the first of three adversaries God raised against Solomon due to the king's widespread idolatry and disobedience (as detailed in 1 Kings 11). Verse 15 functions as an explanatory parenthetical, providing the necessary historical background for Hadad's deep-seated enmity. It clarifies why Hadad, a member of the Edomite royal family, would have fled to Egypt and why he harbored such a strong desire to trouble Israel. The narrative then returns to Hadad's story in 1 Kings 11:16. This flashback technique underscores the long-term consequences of past actions and sets the stage for God's judgment unfolding in Solomon's reign, highlighting the intricate tapestry of divine providence.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: The events described in 1 Kings 11:15 refer to David's conquest of Edom, a campaign recounted in 2 Samuel 8:13-14 and 1 Chronicles 18:12-13. Edom, located southeast of the Dead Sea, was a long-standing rival and often an enemy of Israel, descended from Esau. David's conquest of Edom was a significant step in establishing his empire, fulfilling prophecies about Israel's dominion over its neighbors. The phrase "smitten every male" reflects the brutal reality of ancient Near Eastern warfare, where the elimination of the male population (especially those of fighting age or royal lineage) was a common, albeit horrific, tactic to prevent future insurrections and secure complete subjugation. Joab's six-month stay "to bury the slain" (as clarified in 1 Kings 11:16) indicates not only the scale of the slaughter but also the meticulousness of the campaign, ensuring no potential male heirs or warriors remained to challenge Israelite rule. This act of burying the dead also served a practical purpose, preventing disease and demonstrating complete control over the territory.

  • Key Themes: This verse contributes to several key themes within 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights the consequences of sin and divine judgment, showing how God uses existing historical grievances and even seemingly unrelated past events (David's conquest) as instruments of discipline against a disobedient king like Solomon, as explicitly stated in 1 Kings 11:11. Secondly, it underscores divine sovereignty, demonstrating God's ability to orchestrate events and raise up adversaries, even from the ashes of past conflicts, to fulfill His purposes. Hadad's survival and subsequent rise were not accidental but part of God's disciplinary plan. Thirdly, it vividly portrays the brutality and totality of ancient warfare, particularly the ruthless tactics employed to achieve complete conquest and suppress future resistance, illustrating the harsh realities of the world in which these narratives unfold and the lengths to which nations would go for dominance.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Smitten (Hebrew, nâkâh', H5221): This verb, נָכָה (H5221), carries a broad semantic range including "to strike, smite, beat, wound, kill, destroy." In this context, particularly when paired with "every male," it signifies a decisive and devastating military action, implying a widespread slaughter or massacre. It conveys the totality of the Israelite victory and the extreme measures taken to eliminate any potential for future Edomite resistance, especially from those who could lead or father future generations of warriors. The root suggests a forceful, often lethal, impact.
  • Male (Hebrew, zâkâr', H2145): The Hebrew word זָכָר (H2145) specifically denotes a "male" human or animal, often emphasizing the most noteworthy or memorable sex. Its use here emphasizes the deliberate targeting of the male population, which in ancient societies constituted the primary fighting force and the lineage bearers. This detail highlights the intent behind Joab's actions: to utterly dismantle Edomite society's ability to reproduce its military strength or royal line, thus securing Israel's dominion over the land and preventing any future claim to the throne.

Verse Breakdown

  • "For it came to pass, when David was in Edom,": This introductory clause sets the scene for the flashback, placing the events squarely within the reign of King David and specifically during his military campaign in Edom. It immediately signals to the reader that the following information is historical background for Hadad's emergence, establishing the precise temporal and geographical context for the severe actions described.
  • "and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain,": This part of the verse details Joab's specific mission and the duration of his stay. "Gone up" likely refers to his military expedition into the mountainous territory of Edom. The phrase "to bury the slain" indicates that the battle was over, and the grim, protracted task of dealing with the casualties—both Israelite and Edomite—was underway. This task, often protracted, implies a significant number of dead and a period of consolidation after the initial conquest, confirming the thoroughness of the campaign. The subsequent verse (1 Kings 11:16) clarifies Joab remained for six months, underscoring the scale and meticulousness of the operation to ensure complete pacification.
  • "after he had smitten every male in Edom;": This final clause reveals the brutal extent of Joab's campaign. The phrase "smitten every male" indicates a systematic and comprehensive elimination of the male population, particularly those capable of bearing arms or continuing the royal line. This extreme measure was designed to ensure no future threat could arise from Edom and directly explains why Hadad, a young royal male, had to flee for his life, providing the direct cause for his later animosity towards Israel.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device at play in 1 Kings 11:15 is Flashback. The narrative momentarily pauses its focus on Solomon's reign and the immediate introduction of Hadad in 1 Kings 11:14 to provide crucial historical context from David's time. This flashback explains the deep-seated enmity that would drive Hadad's actions against Solomon. The verse also employs Foreshadowing, as the brutal conquest of Edom, while a past event, sets the stage for the future troubles Solomon will face, illustrating how past actions can generate future consequences. The severity of Joab's actions against Edom also serves as a stark example of the Brutality of Ancient Warfare, a recurring motif in Old Testament historical narratives that highlights the harsh realities of conflict and conquest in that era. Furthermore, there is an element of Irony in that David's attempt to secure his kingdom through such extreme measures inadvertently creates the very adversary God would later use to discipline his son, Solomon.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

1 Kings 11:15 powerfully illustrates the principle of sowing and reaping, demonstrating how actions, even those from a previous generation, can have profound and lasting consequences that ripple through history. While David's conquest of Edom was part of God's plan to establish Israel's dominion, the extreme brutality of the campaign sowed seeds of deep resentment and provided the very conditions for Hadad's survival and subsequent emergence as an adversary. This highlights God's sovereign hand, not only in raising up kings but also in orchestrating historical events and even using the consequences of human actions (or divine judgments from a prior era) to fulfill His purposes, particularly in disciplining His people when they stray from His covenant. Hadad's survival and return are thus presented as a direct consequence of Solomon's idolatry, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word of judgment and His ability to use any means to bring about His will.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

1 Kings 11:15 invites us to consider the long-term repercussions of our actions, both individually and corporately. David's decisive victory over Edom, while seemingly a triumph for Israel, inadvertently created the very adversary who would trouble his son's kingdom decades later. This reminds us that even actions taken with good intentions or seemingly for God's purposes can have complex, unforeseen consequences that manifest in future generations. For believers, this underscores the importance of not only seeking God's will in our immediate decisions but also considering the potential ripple effects on those who come after us, recognizing that our choices today shape the spiritual and relational landscape of tomorrow. It also reinforces the truth of God's sovereignty: He can use any circumstance, even the survival of a vengeful foe from a past conflict, to bring about His divine purposes, whether for discipline, refinement, or the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Understanding this historical depth can deepen our trust in God's overarching control, even amidst challenging circumstances that seem to be the result of past grievances or human failures, knowing that His ultimate plan will prevail.

Questions for Reflection

  • How do the actions of previous generations, both positive and negative, continue to impact our present circumstances or communities?
  • In what ways might God be using seemingly adverse situations in our lives (or the lives of our nations) as a form of divine discipline or to reveal a deeper purpose?
  • What does this verse teach us about the nature of ancient warfare and the lengths to which nations would go to secure their dominance? How does this contrast with or illuminate our understanding of conflict today?
  • Considering Hadad's story, how can we discern God's sovereign hand at work even in events that appear to be purely human or even malevolent in origin?

FAQ

Why was Edom targeted so brutally by David and Joab?

Answer: Edom was a traditional enemy of Israel, descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. Throughout their history, there was often conflict and animosity between the two nations. David's campaign against Edom, detailed in 2 Samuel 8:13-14 and 1 Chronicles 18:12-13, was part of his broader effort to consolidate his kingdom and establish Israel's regional dominance, fulfilling ancient prophecies regarding Israel's dominion over its neighbors. The brutality, specifically "smitten every male," was a common, albeit harsh, military tactic in the ancient Near East to completely subjugate a conquered people, eliminate future resistance, and prevent any potential heirs from challenging the new rule. It was a means of total conquest and control, aiming to utterly break the Edomite spirit and capacity for rebellion.

What is the significance of Joab staying "to bury the slain"?

Answer: The phrase "to bury the slain" indicates that Joab remained in Edom for an extended period (six months, as clarified in 1 Kings 11:16) not just for the immediate battle, but for the aftermath. This task would involve not only burying the Israelite dead but also dealing with the numerous Edomite casualties. From a practical standpoint, burying the dead was essential to prevent disease and maintain hygiene within the occupied territory. From a military and political perspective, it signifies the thoroughness and completeness of the conquest. Joab was ensuring that the Edomite fighting force was utterly neutralized and that the land was fully pacified, leaving no potential for an immediate counter-rebellion. It underscores the scale and severity of the military operation, demonstrating Israel's absolute control over the newly subjugated region.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

1 Kings 11:15, with its account of a past brutal conquest giving rise to a future adversary, points to the profound reality of sin's lasting consequences and God's sovereign use of historical events to bring about His purposes. While David's conquest established an earthly kingdom, it could not ultimately bring lasting peace or eradicate all enmity, as Hadad's return to trouble Solomon demonstrates. This narrative foreshadows the need for a greater King and a more complete victory. Jesus Christ is the true King who establishes an eternal kingdom of peace, not through the brutal smiting of every male, but through His own self-sacrifice. He is the ultimate Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!. Where earthly kings like David and Solomon could only achieve temporary subjugation and often inadvertently sowed seeds of future conflict, Christ's victory on the cross definitively defeats sin, death, and the true adversary (Hebrews 2:14-15). He reconciles enemies, not by annihilation, but by grace, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14-16). The "adversaries" God raised against Solomon ultimately highlight the fragility of human kingship and the desperate need for the perfect, eternal reign of Christ, who truly brings peace and justice to all who believe, fulfilling the deepest longings for a kingdom without end or internal strife (Isaiah 9:6-7).

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Commentary on 1 Kings 11 verses 14–25

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

While Solomon kept closely to God and to his duty there was no adversary nor evil occurrent (Kg1 5:4), nothing to create him any disturbance or uneasiness in the least; but here we have an account of two adversaries that appeared against him, inconsiderable, and that could not have done any thing worth taking notice of if Solomon had not first made God his enemy. What hurt could Hadad or Rezon have done to so great and powerful a king as Solomon was if he had not, by sin, made himself mean and weak? And then those little people menace and insult him. If God be on our side, we need not fear the greatest adversary; but, if he be against us, he can made us fear the least, and the very grasshopper shall be a burden. Observe,

I. Both these adversaries God stirred up, Kg1 11:14, Kg1 11:23. Though they themselves were moved by principles of ambition or revenge, God made use of them to serve his design of correcting Solomon. The principal judgment threatened was deferred, namely, the rending of the kingdom from him, but he himself was made to fee the smart of the rod, for his greater humiliation. Note, Whoever are, in any way, adversaries to us, we must take notice of the hand of God stirring them up to be so, as he bade Shimei curse David; we must look through the instruments of our trouble to the author of it and hear the Lord's controversy in it.

II. Both these adversaries had the origin of their enmity to Solomon and Israel laid in David's time, and in his conquests of their respective countries, Kg1 11:15, Kg1 11:24. Solomon had the benefit and advantage of his father's successes both in the enlargement of his dominion and the increase of his treasure, and would never have known any thing but the benefit of them if he had kept closely to God; but now he finds evils to balance the advantages, and that David had made himself enemies, who were thorns in his sides. Those that are too free in giving provocation ought to consider that perhaps it may be remembered in time to come and returned with interest to theirs after them; having so few friends in this world, it is our wisdom not to make ourselves more enemies than we needs must.

1.Hadad, an Edomite, was an adversary to Solomon. We are not told what he did against him, nor which way he gave him disturbance, only, in general, that he was an adversary to him: but we are told, (1.) What induced him to bear Solomon a grudge. David had conquered Edom, Sa2 8:14. Joab put all the males to the sword, Kg1 11:15, Kg1 11:16. A terrible execution he made, avenging on Edom their old enmity to Israel, yet perhaps with too great a severity. From this general slaughter, while Joab was burying the slain (for he left not any alive of their own people to bury them, and buried they must be, or they would be an annoyance to the country, Eze 39:12), Hadad, a branch of the royal family, then a little child, was taken and preserved by some of the king's servants, and conveyed to Egypt, Kg1 11:17. They halted by the way, in Midian first, and then in Paran, where they furnished themselves with men, not to fight for them or force their passage, but to attend them, that their young master might go into Egypt with an equipage agreeable to his quality. There he was kindly sheltered and entertained by Pharaoh, as a distressed prince, as well provided for, and so recommended himself that, in process of time, he married the queen's sister (Kg1 11:19), and by her had a child, which the queen herself conceived such a kindness for that she brought him up in Pharaoh's house, among the king's children. (2.) What enabled him to do Solomon a mischief. Upon the death of David and Joab, he returned to his own country, in which, it should seem, he settled and remained quiet while Solomon continued wise and watchful for the public good, but from which he had opportunity of making inroads upon Israel when Solomon, having sinned away his wisdom as Samson did his strength (and in the same way), grew careless of public affairs, was off his guard himself, and had forfeited the divine protection. What vexation Hadad gave to Solomon we are not here told, but only how loth Pharaoh was to part with him and how earnestly he solicited his stay (Kg1 11:22): What hast thou lacked with me? "Nothing," says Hadad; "but let me go to my own country, my native air, my native soil." Peter Martyr has a pious reflection upon this: "Heaven is our home, and we ought to keep up a holy affection to that, and desire towards it, even when the world, the place of our banishment, smiles most upon us." Does it ask, What have you lacked, that you are so willing to be gone? We may answer, "Nothing that the world can do for us; but still let us go thither, where our hope, and honour, and treasure are."

2.Rezon, a Syrian, was another adversary to Solomon. When David conquered the Syrians, he headed the remains, lived at large by spoil and rapine, till Solomon grew careless, and then he got possession of Damascus, reigned there (Kg1 11:24) and over the country about (Kg1 11:25), and he created troubles to Israel, probably in conjunction with Hadad, all the days of Solomon (namely, after his apostasy), or he was an enemy to Israel during all Solomon's reign, and upon all occasions vented his then impotent malice against them, but till Solomon's revolt, when his defence had departed from him, he could not do them any mischief. It is said of him that he abhorred Israel. Other princes loved and admired Israel and Solomon, and courted their friendship, but here was one that abhorred them. The greatest and best of princes and people, however much they may in general be respected, will yet perhaps be hated and abhorred by some.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–25. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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