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
Hadad was an Edomite prince who had fled to Egypt as a child when David's army conquered Edom and killed the royal family. He had been living under Pharaoh's protection in Egypt for years. With David and his military commander Joab both dead, Hadad recognized this as the perfect time to return and potentially reclaim his homeland or create problems for Solomon's reign.
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