Bible Strands
1 Kings 11:15
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator recounts a past military campaign during Solomon’s reign to explain the origin of Hadad the Edomite, who is raised up as an adversary.
The words — The Hebrew בַּעֲלֹת (ba.'a.Lot) literally means “when he went up,” describing Joab’s arrival in the region, while שַׂר (sar) identifies him as the “commander” of the army.
The thread — This event echoes the conquest recorded in 2 Samuel 8:14 and 1 Chronicles 18:12, while the directive to kill every male aligns with the conquest regulations in Deuteronomy 20:13.
Why it lands — The text establishes a historical precedent for Edomite hostility, explaining why Hadad emerges as a political adversary during Solomon’s reign. It requires the reader to trace how past royal violence creates direct political consequences for later reigns.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 8:14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
- 1 Chronicles 18:12 Moreover, Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
- Deuteronomy 20:13 When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword.
- Genesis 25:23 and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
- Genesis 27:40 You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”
- Numbers 24:18 Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
- Numbers 31:17 So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,
- Psalms 60:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!
- Psalms 108:10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
- Malachi 1:2 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved,