1 Kings 11:25

Authorized King James Version

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And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִ֨י H1961
וַיְהִ֨י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׂטָ֤ן And he was an adversary H7854
שָׂטָ֤ן And he was an adversary
Strong's: H7854
Word #: 2 of 15
an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) satan, the arch-enemy of good
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Israel H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 3 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְמֵ֣י all the days H3117
יְמֵ֣י all the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 5 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה of Solomon H8010
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה of Solomon
Strong's: H8010
Word #: 6 of 15
shelomah, david's successor
וְאֶת H854
וְאֶת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 7 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הָֽרָעָ֖ה beside the mischief H7451
הָֽרָעָ֖ה beside the mischief
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 8 of 15
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֲדָ֑ד that Hadad H1908
הֲדָ֑ד that Hadad
Strong's: H1908
Word #: 10 of 15
hadad, the name of an idol, and of several kings of edom, possibly a royal title
וַיָּ֙קָץ֙ did and he abhorred H6973
וַיָּ֙קָץ֙ did and he abhorred
Strong's: H6973
Word #: 11 of 15
to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Israel H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ and reigned H4427
וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ and reigned
Strong's: H4427
Word #: 13 of 15
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 14 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲרָֽם׃ over Syria H758
אֲרָֽם׃ over Syria
Strong's: H758
Word #: 15 of 15
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

Analysis & Commentary

And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's apostasy and death, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

Historical Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Questions for Reflection

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