Adversaries Raised Against Solomon

October 15th, 2026
by Cara Fowler

[ READ ] 1 Kings 11:14–25

14 And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom. 15 For when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army went up to bury the slain, he struck down every male in Edom 16 (for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom). 17 But Hadad fled to Egypt, together with certain Edomites of his father's servants, Hadad still being a little child. 18 They set out from Midian and came to Paran and took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house and assigned him an allowance of food and gave him land. 19 And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. 20 And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of Pharaoh. 21 But when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.” 22 But Pharaoh said to him, “What have you lacked with me that you are now seeking to go to your own country?” And he said to him, “Only let me depart.”
23 God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. 24 And he gathered men about him and became leader of a marauding band, after the killing by David. And they went to Damascus and lived there and made him king in Damascus. 25 He was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon, doing harm as Hadad did. And he loathed Israel and reigned over Syria.

Solomon’s fall is swift and so is God’s judgment. Much like his father David, Solomon’s infidelity affected not only his life but the life of his son (1 Kings 11:12). This is a theme that we can see throughout scripture; one man’s sin can trickle down into the next generation. How might we live if we knew that our actions would affect our children and their children? Thank God that He sent His Son to wash us with His blood.
This passage addresses a difficult subject: does God ever withdraw His blessing? Because Solomon broke the conditional covenant created in 1 Kings 9:1-9, God promises to “tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant” (1 Kings 11:11). The important distinction here is that because of Jesus, our sin does not separate us from God. He does not withdraw salvation, but in this passage He does revoke part of Solomon’s kingdom. God in His goodness keeps his covenant with David even as raises up adversaries against Solomon for his disobedience (1 Kings 11:13). Let’s sit in that tension today.
- Cara Fowler

[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Read 2 Samuel 8:14. How does David’s wartime decisions help you understand this passage?
+ Reread 1 Kings 11:25. What does this passage tell us about what’s to come in 1 and 2 Kings?

[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ It only took two chapters for Solomon to break his covenant with the Lord. How might our own sin condition be similar to this passage?

[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, help us to keep our hearts turned towards you. Thank you that You are faithful even when we are not! Amen.

[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.