1 Kings 11:21
And when Hadad heard in Egypt that Dauid slept with his fathers, and that Ioab the captaine of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine owne countrey. 1 Kings 11:21 (KJV)
The verse highlights a pivotal moment in the narrative of Hadad, an Edomite prince who had taken refuge in Egypt after his family was slain during a conflict with King David of Israel. To grasp its significance, it is helpful to recall the broader context of 1 Kings 11. In that chapter we learn that King Solomon, despite his great wisdom and prosperity, turned away from the Lord and began worshiping foreign gods because of his many foreign wives. As a result of Solomon’s disobedience, God declared that the kingdom would be torn away from him and given to another (1 Kings 11:11‑13). The subsequent verses (11:14‑22) introduce a series of adversaries who arise against Solomon, among them Hadad.
Hadad’s early life was marked by tragedy; he fled to Egypt as a young boy when his family was slaughtered in a military clash between Edom and Israel. While in Egypt he found favor with Pharaoh and even married Pharaoh’s sister‑in‑law, the sister of Queen Tahpenes. This favorable position, however, did not erase his longing for his native land.
When news reached Egypt that David had died and that Joab, the captain of the host, was dead, Hadad’s reaction was immediate. He approached Pharaoh and requested permission to depart, saying, “Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.” This request reflects his desire to return to Edom and possibly to reclaim his rightful position there.
From a broader perspective, Hadad’s desire to leave Egypt and go to his own country symbolizes a deep longing for identity, heritage, and a sense of belonging. Despite the status and favor he enjoyed in Egypt, his heart yearned for his ancestral land. The verse therefore underscores the powerful pull of one’s roots and the enduring connection to one’s homeland, as well as the potential for Hadad to seek restitution or even retaliation against Israel for the wrongs done to his family.
