The Hebrew name Hădarʻezer, represented by H1928, means "Hadar is his help" and refers to a Syrian king. The name, which is also rendered Hadadezer, appears 12 times across 10 unique verses in the Bible, primarily in accounts detailing the military campaigns of King David.
In the biblical narrative, Hădarʻezer is portrayed as the king H4428 of Zobah H6678, a powerful Syrian kingdom 1 Chronicles 18:3. His story is one of conflict with David H1732. David smote H5221 Hădarʻezer as the latter went to establish his dominion H3027 by the Euphrates River H6578 1 Chronicles 18:3. When the Syrians H758 of Damascus H1834 came to help H5826 Hădarʻezer, David slew twenty-two thousand H505 of their men H376 1 Chronicles 18:5. In another conflict, Hădarʻezer sent H7971 for Syrians from beyond the river H5104, but his forces were ultimately smitten H5062 before Israel H3478. This defeat led his servants H5650 to make peace H7999 with Israel, and the Syrians feared H3372 to help H3467 the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 any more 2 Samuel 10:19.
Several related figures and places are central to the narrative of Hădarʻezer:
- H1732 Dâvid (loving; David): As king of Israel, David is the primary antagonist to Hădarʻezer, consistently defeating him and his allies in battle 1 Chronicles 18:3.
- H6678 Tsôwbâʼ (a station; Zoba or Zobah): This is the Syrian region where Hădarʻezer reigned as king H4428 1 Chronicles 18:5.
- H758 ʼĂrâm (the highland; Aram or Syria): This refers to the Syrian people who served Hădarʻezer. After their defeat, the Syrians would no longer help H3467 the children of Ammon H5983 1 Chronicles 19:19.
- H8583 Tôʻûw (error; Tou or Toi): The king H4428 of Hamath H2574 who was at war H4421 with Hădarʻezer. He sent his son to congratulate H1288 David for smiting H5221 their mutual enemy 1 Chronicles 18:10.
The narrative role of H1928 is significant in demonstrating the expansion of David's kingdom.
- A Formidable Adversary: Hădarʻezer commanded a vast army H6635 under his captain H8269, Shophach H7780, and held authority over other kings H4428 who were his servants H5650, showcasing him as a major regional power (1 Chronicles 19:16, 2 Samuel 10:19).
- Source of Israel's Wealth: David's victories resulted in immense spoils. He took H3947 shields H7982 of gold H2091 from the servants of Hădarʻezer 1 Chronicles 18:7. From Hădarʻezer's cities H5892, Tibhath H2880 and Chun H3560, David brought H3947 very H3966 much H7227 brass H5178, which Solomon H8010 later used to make H6213 the brasen sea H3220 and other temple vessels H3627 1 Chronicles 18:8.
- Catalyst for New Alliances: The defeat of Hădarʻezer shifted regional power. Tou H8583, king of Hamath H2574, hearing of David's victory over the entire host H2428 of Hădarʻezer, established peaceful relations with David 1 Chronicles 18:9-10.
In summary, H1928 Hădarʻezer is a pivotal figure in the chronicles of King David's reign. He represents a significant military and political obstacle that David overcame to establish Israel's dominance. The narrative of his defeat illustrates a key moment in Israel's history, leading to territorial expansion, the acquisition of materials for the future temple, and the realignment of power among the surrounding nations.
TRV