1 Kings 11:21

French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)

Lorsque Hadad apprit en Egypte que David était couché avec ses pères, et que Joab, chef de l'armée, était mort, il dit à Pharaon: Laisse-moi aller dans mon pays.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Hadad, who is living in Egypt, learns that King David has died and that Joab, the commander of the army, is also dead. Hadad then asks Pharaoh if he can return to his own country. This shows Hadad's desire to go back home after the passing of those who might have posed a threat to him.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're living in a foreign land because you were scared of someone in your home country. Then, you hear that the person who scared you is no longer there. You might feel brave enough to go back home. That's what Hadad is doing in this story.

Historical Background

This verse is from the Old Testament, written by an unknown author, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah or the later prophets, around the 6th century BCE. The text was written for the Israelites to understand the political and social dynamics of their time, including the interactions between different kingdoms and leaders.

Living It Out Today

Imagine a scenario where someone has been living in exile due to fear of persecution. Once the threat is gone, they feel safe to return home. This verse can remind us that circumstances change, and it's okay to seek a safe return to one's roots when the time is right.

Topics

• exile
• return
• leadership
• politics
• trust
• freedom

Related Verses

• 1 Samuel 24:15
• Exodus 4:19
• 2 Samuel 20:21
• Jeremiah 39:15
• Matthew 2:13

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Hadad in the Bible?

Hadad is a king of Edom mentioned in the Old Testament. He sought refuge in Egypt when David was ruling Israel and returned to his home country after David's death.

Why did Hadad want to return to his country?

Hadad wanted to return because he was no longer afraid of the threats posed by King David and Joab, who were both deceased, thus allowing him to feel safe in going back to his homeland.

What does 'slept with his fathers' mean?

'Slept with his fathers' is a euphemism in the Bible for death, indicating that David has passed away, joining his ancestors in the afterlife.

How does this verse relate to other parts of the Bible?

This verse relates to other parts of the Bible where themes of exile and return are prominent, such as the return of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity and the messianic prophecies of return and restoration.