1Ki 11:5-25  “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Rom 11:5)

[Study Aired March 17, 2022]

1Ki 11:5  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 
1Ki 11:6  And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 
1Ki 11:7  Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 
1Ki 11:8  And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. 
1Ki 11:9  And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 
1Ki 11:10  And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 
1Ki 11:11  Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 
1Ki 11:12  Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 
1Ki 11:13  Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen. 
1Ki 11:14  And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom. 
1Ki 11:15  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; 
1Ki 11:16  (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:) 
1Ki 11:17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child. 
1Ki 11:18  And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land. 
1Ki 11:19  And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. 
1Ki 11:20  And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh.
1Ki 11:21  And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country. 
1Ki 11:22  Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise. 
1Ki 11:23  And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah: 
1Ki 11:24  And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. 
1Ki 11:25  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. 

One of the “exceeding great and precious promises” (2Pe 1:4) that have been given to God’s elect to understand first is the promise found in Ephesians 2:8 which states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” In this book of kings, we continue to learn of the process of judgment that is upon God’s people, the Israel of God who are a type of God’s elect (Gal 6:16) who are experiencing a judgment which will ultimately lead to both the northern and southern parts of the nation of Israel being divided and then taken into captivity. That separation of Judah, representing our head Christ, and Israel, typifying the body of Christ, is the two parts, the twain that must be made one through the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13-15).

Gal 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 

Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

In our last study we saw how Solomon’s heart was drawn away by “the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites”, typifying our going into Babylon, which we all must do before we are called out of her (2Co 6:17). God causes us to err from His ways as Solomon did (Isa 63:17) and then drags us into captivity, and in time delivers us from ourselves. There is a very large overview of that process of overcoming our Father has given us in the pages of the books of kings and throughout His words that starts with our hearts being hardened from His fear, but then, for a very few in this age, “for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance”, a few return and are saved as a very small remnant whose hearts are being worked with (Isa 1:9, 1Pe 2:9, Jas 1:18, Zep 2:7, Isa 6:10-13, Eze 36:26).

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

Isa 63:17  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Zep 2:7  And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.

Isa 6:10  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Isa 6:11  Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 
Isa 6:12  And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. 
Isa 6:13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 

It is “through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” that grace and peace can be multiplied unto us, and so we read: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Gal 2:20). For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” (Gal 6:14-16)

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The precious faith of Christ we have obtained is “through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Pe 1:1), which is the encouraging word that is given to us found in the same context, in this statement: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Pe 1:4).

These promises are realized through the faith of Christ which God gives to a small remnant (Rom 11:5, Mat 13:16, Mat 22:14), a grace found in the LORD’s words given to us even in our studies that cover this 11th chapter alone, about king David who typifies Christ in us as our hope of glory (Col 1:27), a sound pattern found throughout the book of kings and throughout God’s word:

• 1Ki 11:10-12  And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 
• 1Ki 11:13  Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen [Gal 4:26, Mat 22:14].
• 1Ki 11:32  (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen [Mat 22:14] out of all the tribes of Israel:) 
• 1Ki 11:34  Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: 
• 1Ki 11:38  And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. 

These things being commanded of Solomon by the LORD “that he should not go after other gods” are written for God’s elect sake to admonish us to fight a good fight of faith as we remain unspotted from the world and visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction in this life (Jas 1:27). God has determined from the foundation of the world who it is that will endure unto the end, and it is those who have the life of Christ within them, represented by king David, that God will build a sure spiritual house (Psa 127:1). Solomon’s house was truly built upon sand for our sakes (1Co 10:11, 2Co 4:15) and it took time for that to be manifested. So when “the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Mat 7:27), it was only after those events of rain and floods and wind that Solomon’s kingdom began to crumble. Many historical events had to unfold to make this manifest for our sakes, including the civil unrest of the nation of Israel, the mounds of idolatrous behavior and evil kings that possessed Jerusalem’s gates, ultimately leading to the captivity of both kingdoms in their appointed time.

The book of kings is not just a history lesson. It is an exposé of what happens to each of us as the man of sin is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming, and there is a great falling away represented by the dividing of the head and body, Israel and Judah, two parts that can only become one again by grace through faith in Christ Jesus (2Th 2:3, Eph 2:14).

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 

Eph 2:14  For he [Christ Jesus] is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Solomon and both the northern and southern kingdoms must fall from grace and be taken into captivity. As we have said over and over, all such activity does not declare the end of all things; only the beginning of what God will ultimately do for His elect and eventually in time for the rest of His creation.

2Pe 1:1  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 
2Pe 1:2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord [Gal 6:16],
2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

1Ki 11:5  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 
1Ki 11:6  And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 
1Ki 11:7  Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 
1Ki 11:8  And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. 
1Ki 11:9  And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
1Ki 11:10  And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 

God had commanded Solomon “that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded“, yet Solomon’s words and works would be focused on going after “Ashtoreth^H6253 the goddess of the Zidonians^H6722, and after Milcom^H4445 the abomination of the Ammonites^H8251“.

Ashtoreth: H6253 – Probably for H6251; Ashtoreth, the Phoenician goddess of love (and increase)
H6251: Probably from H6238; increase: – flock.
H6238: A primitive root; properly to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively make) rich: – be (-come, en-, make, make self, wax) rich, make

Zidonians: H6722 – Patrial from H6721; a Tsidonian or inhabitant of Tsidon: – Sidonian, of Sidon, Zidonian.
H6721: From H6679 in the sense of catching fish; fishery; Tsidon, the name of a son of Canaan, and of a place in Palestine: – Sidon, Zidon.
H6679: A primitive root; to lie alongside (that is, in wait); by implication to catch an animal (figuratively men); (denominative from H6718) to victual (for a journey): – chase, hunt, sore, take (provision).

Milcom: H4445 – From H4428 for H4432; Malcam or Milcom, the national idol of the Ammonites: – Malcham, Milcom.
H4428: From H4427; a king: – king, royal.
H4432: From H4427; a king: – king, royal.
H4427: A primitive root; to reign; inceptively to ascend the throne; causatively to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel: – consult, X indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign (-ing), rule, X surely.

Ammonites: H5984 –  Patronymic from H5983; an Ammonite or (adjectively) Ammonitish: – Ammonite (-s).
H5983: From H5971; tribal, that is, inbred; Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country: – Ammon, Ammonites.
H5971: From H6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively a flock: – folk, men, nation, people.
H6004: A primitive root; to associate; by implication to overshadow (by huddling together): – become dim, hide.

Solomon could not go “fully after the LORD, as did David his father“, and as a result of that lukewarm spirit which God called “evil in the sight of the LORD“, the kingdom of Israel was rent and spued out of God’s mouth (Rev 3:16) showing us that when the head is sick, the body suffers the consequences of that sickness that God caused in Solomon’s life whose heart was in His hands (Isa 1:5, Pro 14:34, Pro 21:1).

Isa 1:5  Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 

Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. 

Pro 21:1  The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 

Solomon’s spirit was idolatrous, and the building of a “high place for Chemosh^H3645, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech^{H4432 H4427}, the abomination of the children of Ammon” was an outward expression of that inward idolatrous heart. Chemosh means ‘to subdue’ and that is exactly what was happening to Solomon as he was subdued and seduced by these pagan woman and the gods and idols that they served and worshiped to the point that he was fully embracing these practices and being instructed by their pagan practices (Rom 6:16).

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

This was the case for all of Solomon’s strange wives: he was Chemosh^H3645 “subdued” or Molech^{H4432 H4427} “taking counsel and consulting” with each one of them and these abominable acts were happening before God in “Jerusalem” to remind us that it is God’s people who are the first to come to see the depths of the idolatry that resides in us.

Abomination H8251 – From H8262; disgusting, that is, filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol: – abominable filth (idol, -ation), detestable (thing).
H8262: A primitive root; to be filthy, that is, (intensively) to loathe, pollute: – abhor, make abominable, have in abomination, detest, X utterly.

God commanded Solomon something that he was not given to do, and yet the Lord was angry with him: “And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel” (Isa 63:17). God witnesses to us that we are beasts, and His appearing to Solomon twice is a witness to us that regardless of God’s visitation in our life, without the mind of Christ we will not learn or even recognize our idolatrous ways unless the Lord corrects us (Rom 9:18-24). Coming to Solomon twice establishes this truth that the heart of man is blind and not able to see the day of his visitation (Luk 19:44, Gen 41:32). Solomon’s kingdom, although it had peace for the most part, was eventually shown to be more of a ‘peace, peace when there really was no peace’ kingdom that was not going to stand (Jer 6:14).

Luk 19:44  And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Gen 41:32  And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. 

Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 
Rom 9:19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 
Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 
Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 
Rom 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 
Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (Mat 13:16, Luk 10:24).

1Ki 11:11  Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 
1Ki 11:12  Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 
1Ki 11:13  Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.

This is the first section of our study where our title (Rom 11:5) becomes the very clear typical message being given to the body of Christ today. God’s purpose of election is going to stand regardless of Solomon’s idolatrous ways. Our time in Babylon, which is represented by this self-serving idolatry of Solomon, does not go unpunished by God. In time God will “rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant“, meaning if we are His children with whom He is working in this age, we will be chastened and scourged to see Solomon and his kingdom decrease in us and the kingdom of God increase in us: “Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen“. The kingdom is then given “to thy servant” who we know represents Christ in us who is the servant typified by “David“, who is working in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure (Joh 13:14, Mat 23:11, Php 2:12-14). God rends the kingdoms of the world from within us, but not all of them: “I will not rend away all the kingdom“, and that one kingdom which is reserved represents the elect who will rule over the kingdoms of this world (Rev 11:15) and as God’s remnant are typified by this statement: “for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen“.

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 

Mat 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 
Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 

1Ki 11:14  And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom. 
1Ki 11:15  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; 
1Ki 11:16  (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:) 

Twice we are told that every male was cut off in Edom, a witness of the destruction of our sinful nature that is accomplished through God’s holy spirit in our lives. It was one of David’s mighty men, Joab, who was “the captain of the host” who “was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom“. To further confirm that these actions of Joab symbolically represent the destruction of the man of sin within us, we are given the length of time which is the number of mankind: “For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel“ the time it took “until he had cut off every male in Edom.

This adversary of Solomon, Hadad, was not one of these males in Edom, but rather “he was of the king’s seed in Edom“, and as we will read he was being reserved of God until the time Israel would be attacked. Joab’s initial victory over Edom is like the parable of the unclean spirit that is gone out of a man, and then after David and Joab die, this king’s son, Hadad, who was “yet a little child“, is now all grown up and bringing many armies up against Solomon. This patient pattern of the devil is by God’s design and reminds us that sin is persistent, and there are stages to overcoming the beast within us that begins with a wounded beast, but that wound gets healed as described in this parable: “Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, [“they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt”] and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” Only Christ can bind “the strong man” of Mark 3:27 and give God’s elect the ability to see and confess that we are “this wicked generation” who can now declare that we are more than conquerors through Christ who judges us and brings us to acknowledge our need for deliverance through Him as we acknowledge we are guilty of all the blood of all the prophets (Luk 11:51, Mat 23:30).

Mar 3:27  No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Luk 11:51  From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Mat 23:30  And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 

1Ki 11:17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child. 
1Ki 11:18  And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land. 
1Ki 11:19  And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. 
1Ki 11:20  And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh
1Ki 11:21  And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country. 
1Ki 11:22  Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.

Just as we are being nourished and built up in the Lord, the adversaries God uses in our lives are also being built up and strengthened to do battle against us in a very prescribed manner that will bring about the exact “skin for skin” measures God has ordained that these evil spirits will accomplish to His glory (Job 2:4-5). This is what this section of scripture is all about. Hadad represents that evil spirit which has found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, who is a type of Satan, and Hadad, as a result of this great favor, was given “to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes^H8472 the queen“. What happens next is “the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath^H1592 his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh“, a birth representing the false doctrine and lying spirits of the devil that are going to come up against us as God’s elect (2Ti 3:13). We are not to fear any of these things because God is the one who is letting them manifest for our sakes, for our growth and maturing in Him as we’re given power to overcome the wicked one through Christ (Isa 54:17, Rev 2:10, Num 14:9).

Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. 

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

Num 14:9  Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. 

Notice when Hadad decides to make his move to come up to Jerusalem it is “when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country“. Pharaoh, who represents Satan in this instance, asks of Haran this question “Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise“. It’s true he did lack nothing in Egypt, and so “he answered, Nothing” but regardless, was compelled of God to be sent to do this work, “howbeit let me go in any wise” (1Sa 16:14).

1Ki 11:23  And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah: 
1Ki 11:24  And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. 
1Ki 11:25  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

God is the one who stirred up Haran (Eph 1:11) and God is also the one who “stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah“. Both parties are leaving their ‘lords’ as it were to go to be that power and principality (Eph 6:12) which is going to be used to come up against the world within us, represented by Israel, “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.” Satan knows the principle of a three-fold cord, and God causes Rezon to gather “men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.” It is these men and their parties which represent what we must overcome day by day as the body of Christ. There we are more than conquerors who are strengthened through our daily trials and persecutions that are brought about by “an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.“

Hadad: H1908 – “mighty” (BDB)

Edom: H123 – From H122; red (see Gen_25:25); Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occuped by him: – Edom, Edomites, Idumea.

Rezon: H7331 – From H7336; prince
H7336: A primitive root; probably to be heavy, that is, (figuratively) honorable: – prince, ruler (Psa_2:2).

Eliadah: H450 – From H410 and H3045; “God knows”(BDB)

Hadadezer: H1909 –  From H1908 and H5828; “Hadad is help” (BDB)

Zobah: H6678 –  From an unused root meaning to station; “station” (BDB)

1Ki 11:21-25 – PNB-YLT-1 version: And “helper” (Hadad) had heard in “bondage” (Egypt) that “beloved” (David) had slept with his fathers, and that “fathered by I was, I am, I will be” (Joab) the commander of the army was dead. And “helper” (Hadad) said to “destroyer” (Pharaoh), Send me away and I will go to my land. And “destroyer” (Pharaoh) said to him, But what are you lacking with me, that, lo, you are seeking to go to your land? And he said, Nothing. However, you shall certainly send me away. And God raised up an adversary to him, “growing lean” (Rezon) the son of “God knows” (Eliadah), who fled from his lord “noisy helper” (Hadadezer) the king of “standing” (Zobah). And he gathered men to himself, and was head of a troop when “beloved” (David) killed them. And they went to “sack of blood” (Damascus) and lived in it, and reigned in “sack of blood” (Damascus). And he was an adversary to “he will rule with God” (Israel) all the days of “great peace” (Solomon), besides the evil that “helper” (Hadad) did; and he despised “he will rule with God” (Israel) and reigned over “highlands” (Syria).

One of the principle points we can learn from all these enemies that came up against Solomon is that our calling is one that is “according to the election of grace” and grace or favor is expressed through God sending us the daily trials against which we wrestle. They may appear to be unfolding in a very physical way right before our eyes but we are assured through these stories and God’s word that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities (Eph 6:12) which we are told Christ in us is far above (Eph 1:21), and therefore rejoice, and again I say rejoice (Php 4:4), for the Lord is at hand, and we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Rom 8:37).