Hadadezer

Hadadezer was a king of Aram-Damascus who reigned in the 9th century BCE. His name is recorded in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the books of Samuel and Kings. He is presented as a significant adversary of the united Kingdom of Israel during the reign of King David. Biblical accounts describe Hadadezer's military campaigns and his extensive empire, which reportedly stretched from the Euphrates River to the Red Sea. He is depicted as a powerful ruler who engaged in frequent conflicts with neighboring kingdoms, including Israel and Ammon.

According to the biblical narrative, David achieved a decisive victory over Hadadezer's forces, capturing a large number of chariots and horses. This victory is seen as a major turning point, establishing Israelite dominance in the region and leading to tribute being paid by Hadadezer to David. Later, under King Solomon, Hadadezer is mentioned as having continued his opposition, and Solomon's reign saw further military engagements against him. While the Bible provides a detailed, albeit biased, account of his interactions with Israel, archaeological evidence directly corroborating Hadadezer's reign and specific biblical events is limited, though the existence of Aram-Damascus as a regional power is well-established.