1 Kings 11:17

17 But Hadad and a few of his father’s royal officials escaped and headed for Egypt. (Hadad was just a boy at the time.)

1 Kings 11:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 11:17

That Hadad fled
While Joab was burying the slain:

he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him;
who either was a king, and these some of his officers and courtiers; or however was of the royal family, and had an equipage, and these some of them:

to go into Egypt;
that was their view at first setting out, where they might hope for help, at least shelter:

Hadad being yet a little child;
whom his father's servants hid, while Joab was making the slaughter he did, and took the opportunity of fleeing with him while he was burying the dead.

1 Kings 11:17 In-Context

15 Years before, David had defeated Edom. Joab, his army commander, had stayed to bury some of the Israelite soldiers who had died in battle. While there, they killed every male in Edom.

16 Joab and the army of Israel had stayed there for six months, killing them.

17 But Hadad and a few of his father’s royal officials escaped and headed for Egypt. (Hadad was just a boy at the time.)

18 They set out from Midian and went to Paran, where others joined them. Then they traveled to Egypt and went to Pharaoh, who gave them a home, food, and some land.

19 Pharaoh grew very fond of Hadad, and he gave him his wife’s sister in marriage—the sister of Queen Tahpenes.