And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
When Hadad heard in Egypt that David had died and been buried with his ancestors, and that Joab the army commander was also dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, 'Please let me leave so I can return to my own country.'
Hadad, an enemy of Israel living in exile, saw David's death as his opportunity to return home and cause trouble for the kingdom.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 1 Kings, Hadad was an Edomite prince who fled to Egypt after King David conquered Edom, seeking refuge and eventually rising in favor with Pharaoh. He married into the Egyptian royal family and lived there for years, but upon hearing of David's death and the passing of his military commander Joab, Hadad saw an opportunity to return and potentially reclaim his homeland. This event reflects the broader theme of God's judgment on Solomon's reign through the rise of adversaries.
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