1 Kings 11:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon: Hadad the Edomite, of the royal line of Edom.
What Does 1 Kings 11:14 Mean?
The consequences begin to take shape in history. The Lord stirs up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite, a survivor of Edom's royal house. The peace that had marked Solomon's reign now gives way to opposition, and the narrator is clear that God Himself raised this enemy up.
Scripture does not shrink from saying that God can use even hostile men to accomplish His purposes of discipline. The word for adversary, satan, here means simply an opponent, an instrument of trouble against the king. When devotion turns from God, the protective peace that flowed from His favor can be withdrawn. Yet even these adversaries serve the larger story, reminding Solomon and us that fidelity to the Lord is the true foundation of all security, and that nothing in history slips outside His governing hand.
1 Kings 11:14 in the Original Language
satan (שָׂטָן), 'adversary' -- an opponent or one who stands against; here a human enemy raised against the king.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 11:14
What does 1 Kings 11:14 mean?
The Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon: Hadad the Edomite, of the royal line of Edom.