Definition: And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he [was] of the king’s seed in Edom.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Kings 11:14. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling part of biblical history! Here's what it means in simple terms: God is saying that after Solomon became king, he created a powerful enemy – named Hadad – who was an Edomite (an people from the region east of Israel). This wasn’t just a random conflict; God deliberately set this up as a challenge. Let's unpack it further: “The LORD stirred up an adversary…” : This means God initiated a struggle or competition. He wasn’t just letting things happen naturally. “…unto Solomon” : This identifies the person who was created as the enemy – Solomon, the king of Israel. “Hadad the Edomite” : This is the name of the adversary. Hadad was a powerful and ambitious ruler from Edom. He had a long history of conflict with the Israelites. “…he [was] of the king’s seed in Edom.” : This is crucially important. It means Hadad was descended from the royal line of Solomon's ancestors. This is a significant point, as it ties him directly to the divine lineage of the king. It suggests that Hadad wasn’t just an independent enemy; he was part of a larger, potentially sinister plan orchestrated by God. Why is this important? This verse sets up a really dramatic situation in the book of Kings. It foreshadows a period of intense conflict and challenges to Solomon's rule. It's often seen as a sign that God wasn’t just concerned with the success of Israel, but also with maintaining His divine order and preventing chaos. In essence, this verse highlights: Divine Intervention: God actively intervened in human affairs to challenge his people. Potential for Conflict: It planted the seeds for a long-running struggle between Israel and Edom. A Warning (Potentially): It could be interpreted as a warning to Solomon to be mindful of potential threats and to protect his kingdom. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail, or would you like me to connect this passage to a specific story or event in the Bible? For example, we could talk about: The history of Edom How this conflict impacted Solomon’s reign The symbolism behind Hadad and his role