Who was Hadadezer in the Bible?

What does the Bible say about Hadadezer?

Hadadezer was the king of Zobah, an Aramean kingdom, during the reign of King David of Israel. He is mentioned in 2Samuel 8, 10, and 1Chronicles 18, 19. Hadadezer went to restore his control along the Euphrates River, but David defeated him, capturing many of his chariots, horsemen, and foot soldiers (2Sa.8.3-4, 1 Chronicles 2Sa.18.3-4). David also took gold shields from Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem (2Sa.8.7, 1 Chronicles 2Sa.18.7). When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, David defeated them as well, and they became subject to Israel (2Sa.8.5-6, 1 Chronicles 2Sa.18.5-6). Later, when David's messengers were mistreated by the Ammonites, Hadadezer sent his army to help the Ammonites fight against Israel (2Sa.10.16, 1 Chronicles 2Sa.19.16). However, Joab and Abishai, David's commanders, defeated the Arameans and the Ammonites. After this defeat, Hadadezer's allies made peace with Israel and became subject to them (2Sa.10.19, 1 Chronicles 2Sa.19.19). The biblical account portrays Hadadezer as a powerful king who posed a significant threat to Israel, but was ultimately defeated by David and his army.

Where does Hadadezer appear in the Bible?

Hadadezer is referenced in 17 verses across 3 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

• 1 Chronicles 18:3
• 1 Chronicles 18:5
• 1 Chronicles 18:7
• 1 Chronicles 18:8
• 1 Chronicles 18:9
• 1 Chronicles 18:10
• 1 Chronicles 19:16
• 1 Chronicles 19:19
• 1 Kings 11:23
• 2 Samuel 8:3
• 2 Samuel 8:5
• 2 Samuel 8:7
• 2 Samuel 8:8
• 2 Samuel 8:10
• 2 Samuel 8:12
• 2 Samuel 10:16
• 2 Samuel 10:19

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Hadadezer.