Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Hadadezer, also known as Hadarezer, was a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the historical narratives concerning the reign of King David. He was the king of Zobah, a Syrian kingdom located in the region of Aram, north of Israel. His interactions with David are primarily recorded in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.
Biblical References:Hadadezer is first mentioned in
2 Samuel 8:3, where it is recorded, "David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his control along the Euphrates River." This passage highlights the geopolitical ambitions of Hadadezer, who sought to extend his influence along the Euphrates, a major trade and military route.
Conflict with David:The conflict between Hadadezer and David is a central theme in the biblical narrative. David's military campaigns against Hadadezer are described as part of his broader efforts to secure Israel's borders and establish dominance over neighboring territories. In
2 Samuel 8:5-6, it is noted, "When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute."
Military Defeat and Consequences:Hadadezer's defeat had significant implications for the region. The capture of his chariots, horsemen, and foot soldiers is detailed in
2 Samuel 8:4: "David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses but spared enough for a hundred chariots." This victory not only weakened Hadadezer's military capabilities but also solidified David's control over the region.
Alliances and Further Conflicts:The defeat of Hadadezer led to further conflicts and shifting alliances. In
1 Chronicles 19:16, it is recorded that Hadadezer sought to regroup and strengthen his forces: "When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them." This indicates Hadadezer's persistent efforts to resist Israelite dominance, although ultimately unsuccessful.
Theological Significance:From a theological perspective, the narrative of Hadadezer's defeat underscores the theme of divine favor and covenantal promises. David's victories are often attributed to the LORD's support, as seen in
2 Samuel 8:6: "The LORD gave David victory wherever he went." This reflects the belief that God was actively involved in the affairs of Israel, guiding and empowering David to fulfill his role as king.
Legacy:Hadadezer's interactions with David are emblematic of the broader struggles between Israel and its neighbors during the united monarchy. His account serves as a testament to the complex political and military landscape of the ancient Near East and highlights the challenges faced by Israel in establishing itself as a nation under God's covenant.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Hadadezerbeauty of assistance
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Hadadezer(2 Samuel 8:3-12;1 Kings 11:23). [HADAREZER]
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hadad is help; called also Hadarezer, Adod is his help, the king of Zobah. Hanun, the king of the Ammonites, hired among others the army of Hadadezer to assist him in his war against David. Joab, who was sent against this confederate host, found them in double battle array, the Ammonities toward their capital of Rabbah, and the Syrian mercenaries near Medeba. In the battle which was fought the Syrians were scattered, and the Ammonites in alarm fled into their capital. After this Hadadezer went north "to recover his border" (
2 Samuel 8:3, A.V.); but rather, as the Revised Version renders, "to recover his dominion", i.e., to recruit his forces. Then followed another battle with the Syrian army thus recruited, which resulted in its being totally routed at Helam (
2 Samuel 10:17). Shobach, the leader of the Syrian army, died on the field of battle. The Syrians of Damascus, who had come to help Hadadezer, were also routed, and Damascus was made tributary to David. All the spoils taken in this war, "shields of gold" and "very much brass," from which afterwards the "brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass" for the temple were made (
1 Chronicles 18:8), were brought to Jerusalem and dedicated to Jehovah. Thus the power of the Ammonites and the Syrians was finally broken, and David's empire extended to the Euphrates (
2 Samuel 10:15-19;
1 Chronicles 19:15-19).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HADADEZERhad-ad-e'-zer (hadhadh`ezer; so2 Samuel 81 Kings 11:23, but hadhar`ezer,2 Samuel 101 Chronicles 18): Mentioned in connection with David's wars of conquest (2 Samuel 8:32 Samuel 10:1-191 Chronicles 18:3); was king of Zobah in Syria. The exact position and size of this Syrian principality are uncertain, but it seems to have extended in David's time southward toward Ammon and eastward to the Euphrates. When the Ammonites had put themselves in the wrong with David by the insult done to his ambassadors (2 Samuel 10:1-5) they summoned to their aid against the incensed king of Israel the Syrians of various adjoining principalities, among them the Syrians of Zobah under Hadadezer, the son of Rehob. The strategy of Joab, who set the force under command of Abishai his brother in array against the Ammonites, and himself attacked the Syrian allies, won for Israel a decisive victory. Not content with this result, Hadadezer gathered together another Syrian force, summoning this time also "the Syrians that were beyond the River" (2 Samuel 10:16), with Shobach the captain of his host at their head. On this occasion David himself took command of the Israelite forces and again defeated them near Helam, Shobach being left dead on the field. Hadadezer and his Syrian vassals, finding resistance hopeless, "made peace with Israel and served them" (2 Samuel 10:19). For the name Hadador Hadarezer, see BENHADAD.
LITERATURE.
Winckler, Geschichte Israels, I, 137; McCurdy, HPM, 204; Maspero, The Struggle of the Nations, 731.
T. Nicol.
Strong's Hebrew
1909.Hadadezer -- "Hadad is help(er)," an Aramean (Syrian) king...Hadadezer. 1910 . "Hadad is help(er)," an Aramean (Syrian) king. Transliteration:
Hadadezer Phonetic Spelling: (had-ad-eh'-zer) Short Definition:
Hadadezer.
...1928. Hadarezer -- Hadarezer
... Hadarezer. Transliteration: Hadarezer Phonetic Spelling: (had-ar-eh'-zer) Short
Definition: Hadarezer. Word Origin another spelling forHadadezer, qv. Hadarezer...
Library
How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the...
... 2. Now when Hadad, king of Damascus and of Syria, heard that David fought against
Hadadezer, who was his friend, he came to his assistance with a powerful army...
A Ruler who Wronged his People
... gods. Then God raised up as a foe against him Rezon, the son of Eliada,
who had fled from his master,Hadadezer, king of Zobah....
Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... enough to pay tribute, proclaimed himself king, and in the space of a few months
revived under his own leadership the coalition whichHadadezer and Rezon II....
The Later Hebrew Histories.
... In 2 Samuel 8:4, we are told that in David's victory overHadadezer king of Zobah,
he took from the latter "a thousand and seven hundred horsemen." In 1...
How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and...
... an innovation was not to be made with safety, he removed thence, and came into Syria;
there he lighted upon one Rezon, who had run away fromHadadezer, king of...
Book 5 Footnotes
... [11] David's reserving only one hundred chariots for himself out of one thousand
he had taken fromHadadezer, was most probably in compliance with the law of...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <....
The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <....
Thesaurus
Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)... Hanun, the king of the Ammonites, hired among others the army of
Hadadezer to assist
him in his war against David.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
HADADEZER.
...Hadadezer's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceHadadezer's (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 10:16 And
Hadadezer sent for the Aramaeans who were on the other...
Hadade'zer (18 Occurrences)
Hadade'zer.Hadadezer, Hadade'zer.Hadadezer's . Multi-Version Concordance
Hadade'zer (18 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:3 David smote...
Zobah (15 Occurrences)
... When David sought to extend his boundary to the Euphrates, he came into contact
with its kingHadadezer, and a great battle was fought in which David took many...
Tou (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tou (4 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:9 And when Tou, king of
Hamath, had news that David had overcome all the army ofHadadezer, (BBE NIV)....
Wars (24 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 8:10 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless
him, because he had fought againstHadadezer and struck him: forHadadezer...
Toi (2 Occurrences)
... A king of Hamath, who sent "Joram his son unto King David to salute him," when he
"heard that David had smitten all the host ofHadadezer" (2 Samuel 8:9, 10)....
Rezon (3 Occurrences)
... Abandoning the service ofHadadezer, the king of Zobah, on the occasion of his being
defeated by David, he became the "captain over a band" of marauders, and...
Rehob (12 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Street; broad place. (1.) The father ofHadadezer,
king of Tobah (2 Samuel 8:3, 12). (2.) Nehemiah 10:11....
Hadoram (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 8:10 He sent his son Hadoram to David, with words of peace and blessing,
because he had overcomeHadadezer in the fight, forHadadezer had wars with...
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