Hadadezers

Hadadezer was a king of Aram-Zobah, an ancient Aramean kingdom located in Syria. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the Books of Samuel and Kings. Hadadezer's reign is generally placed in the 10th century BCE. He was a significant figure in the geopolitical landscape of the Levant during the time of King David of Israel.

The biblical accounts describe several conflicts between Hadadezer and King David. David's victories over Hadadezer are presented as a major expansion of Israelite influence and power in the region. According to the Book of 2 Samuel, David defeated Hadadezer's army on the field of battle, securing considerable spoils and subjugating Aram-Zobah. This victory is often interpreted as a crucial step in David's consolidation of his kingdom.

Later, Hadadezer formed an alliance with other Aramean kings and possibly with the Ammonites to challenge David's authority. However, this coalition was also defeated by David's forces, led by his general Joab. The biblical narrative portrays Hadadezer as a persistent adversary of Israel, whose military strength was repeatedly broken by David. The extent of Hadadezer's influence and the precise chronology of his interactions with David are subjects of scholarly discussion and archaeological interpretation.