1 Kings 11:18

18 Their escape route took them through Midian to Paran. They picked up some men in Paran and went on to Egypt and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave Hadad a house, food, and even land.

1 Kings 11:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 11:18

And they arose out of Midian
A country which lay in their way to Egypt, and where it seems they made some stay, and then departed:

and came to Paran;
near to which was a wilderness of the same name, in which the Israelites wandered when they came out of Egypt, and which lay between Edom and Egypt:

and they took men with them out of Paran;
either as guides and guards through the wilderness, or to make the better appearance before Pharaoh, and that they might meet with the better reception:

and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt;
and told their case, and informed him who Hadad was: who, pitying an unfortunate young prince,

gave him an house;
for him and his servants to dwell in:

and appointed him victuals;
a daily provision for him and his men:

and gave him land;
for his servants to cultivate, and from thence to raise a revenue for his support; the Jewish writers say he gave him cities to rule over; but as he was but a little child when he came, it cannot be thought that was done, at least directly.

1 Kings 11:18 In-Context

16 Joab and his army stayed there for six months, making sure they had killed every man in Edom.
17 Hadad, just a boy at the time, had escaped with some of the Edomites who had worked for his father.
18 Their escape route took them through Midian to Paran. They picked up some men in Paran and went on to Egypt and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave Hadad a house, food, and even land.
19 Pharaoh liked him so well that he gave him the sister of his wife, Queen Tahpenes, in marriage.
20 She bore Hadad a son named Genubath who was raised like one of the royal family. Genubath grew up in the palace with Pharaoh's children.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.