1 Kings 11:15
New International Version
Earlier when David was fighting with Edom, Joab the commander of the army, who had gone up to bury the dead, had struck down all the men in Edom.

New Living Translation
Years before, David had defeated Edom. Joab, his army commander, had stayed to bury some of the Israelite soldiers who had died in battle. While there, they killed every male in Edom.

English Standard Version
For when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army went up to bury the slain, he struck down every male in Edom

Berean Standard Bible
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom.

King James Bible
For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;

New King James Version
For it happened, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury the slain, after he had killed every male in Edom

New American Standard Bible
For it came about, when David was in Edom and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury those killed in battle, and had struck and killed every male in Edom

NASB 1995
For it came about, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury the slain, and had struck down every male in Edom

NASB 1977
For it came about, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury the slain, and had struck down every male in Edom

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury the slain, and had struck down every male in Edom

Amplified Bible
For it came about, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury those killed [in battle] and had struck down every male in Edom

Christian Standard Bible
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab, the commander of the army, had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab, the commander of the army, had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom.

American Standard Version
For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, and had smitten every male in Edom

English Revised Version
For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, and had smitten every male in Edom;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When David had conquered Edom, Joab, the commander of the army, went to bury those killed in battle and killed every male in Edom.

International Standard Version
During David's military campaign against Edom, when his army commander Joab had gone out to bury the dead, he killed every male in Edom.

Majority Standard Bible
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom.

NET Bible
During David's campaign against Edom, Joab, the commander of the army, while on a mission to bury the dead, killed every male in Edom.

New Heart English Bible
For it happened, when David had conquered Edom, and Joab the commander of the army was gone up to bury the slain, and had struck every male in Edom

Webster's Bible Translation
For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host had gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;

World English Bible
For when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the army had gone up to bury the slain, and had struck every male in Edom
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, in David’s being with Edom, in the going up of Joab head of the host to bury the slain, that he strikes every male in Edom—

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, in David's being with Edom, in the going up of Joab head of the host to bury the slain, that he smiteth every male in Edom --

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in David's being in Edom, and in Joab the chief of the army going up, he came to bury the slain, and he will strike every male in Edom;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For when David was in Edom, and Joab the general of the army was gone up to bury them that were slain, and had killed every male in Edom,

Catholic Public Domain Version
For when David was in Idumea, Joab, the leader of the military, had ascended to bury those who had been killed, and he had killed every male in Idumea.

New American Bible
Earlier, when David had conquered Edom, Joab, the commander of the army, while going to bury the slain, killed every male in Edom.

New Revised Standard Version
For when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army went up to bury the dead, he killed every male in Edom
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For when David destroyed Edom, and Joab the commander of the army went up to bury the slain, he slew every male in Edom

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when David desolated Edom, when Yuab General of the army went up to bury the slain and he killed every male in Edom
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, and had smitten every male in Edom--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it happened, that while David was utterly destroying Edom, while Joab captain of the host was going to bury the dead, when they slew every male in Idumaea;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hadad's Return
14Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. 15Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. 16Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 8:13-14
And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. / He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:12-13
Moreover, Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. / He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

2 Samuel 10:16-19
Hadadezer sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, and they came to Helam with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them. / When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. Then the Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought against him. / But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there. ...

1 Chronicles 19:16-19
When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them. / When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, advanced toward the Arameans, and arrayed for battle against them. When David lined up to engage them in battle, they fought against him. / But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army. ...

2 Samuel 8:3-6
David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. / David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots. / When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men. ...

1 Chronicles 18:3-6
As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River. / David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots. / When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men. ...

2 Samuel 10:9-14
When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. / “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. ...

1 Chronicles 19:10-15
When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. / “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. ...

2 Samuel 10:1-8
Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun. / And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, / the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?” ...

1 Chronicles 19:1-9
Some time later, Nahash king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son. / And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him, / the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Have not his servants come to you to explore the land, spy it out, and overthrow it?” ...

2 Samuel 8:1-2
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

1 Chronicles 18:1-2
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Samuel 10:15
When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped.

1 Chronicles 19:16
When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.

2 Samuel 8:5-6
When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men. / Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.


Treasury of Scripture

For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;

when David

2 Samuel 8:14
And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:12,13
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand…

Psalm 60:1
To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

after he had

Genesis 25:23
And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Genesis 27:40
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

Numbers 24:18,19
And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly…

every male

Numbers 31:17
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

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Army Bury Captain Commander David David's Dead Destruction Earlier Earth Edom Fighting Head Host Joab Jo'ab Male Slain Slew Smiteth Smitten Struck
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Army Bury Captain Commander David David's Dead Destruction Earlier Earth Edom Fighting Head Host Joab Jo'ab Male Slain Slew Smiteth Smitten Struck
1 Kings 11
1. Solomon's wives and concubines
4. In his old age they draw him to idolatry
9. God threatens him,
14. Solomon's adversaries were Hadad, who was entertained in Egypt
23. Rezon, who reigned in Damascus
26. And Jeroboam, to whom Ahijah prophesied
41. Solomon's acts, reign, and death. Rehoboam succeeds him














Earlier, when David was in Edom
This phrase sets the historical context for the events described. The Hebrew root for "Edom" is "אֱדוֹם" (Edom), which means "red." Edom was a region southeast of Israel, inhabited by the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. The relationship between Israel and Edom was often contentious, reflecting the sibling rivalry between Esau and Jacob. David's presence in Edom indicates a period of military campaign or control, as Edom was a vassal state under David's reign. This historical backdrop highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to David of expanding his kingdom and subduing surrounding nations.

Joab the commander of the army
Joab, whose name in Hebrew is "יוֹאָב" (Yo'av), meaning "Yahweh is father," was a key military leader under King David. His role as "commander of the army" underscores his importance in David's administration. Joab was known for his military prowess and loyalty to David, though his methods were often ruthless. His actions in Edom reflect his commitment to securing David's kingdom, even through severe measures. Joab's leadership exemplifies the tension between divine mandate and human execution, as his actions sometimes conflicted with David's wishes or God's laws.

had gone up to bury the dead
The act of burying the dead is significant in ancient Near Eastern culture, reflecting respect for the deceased and adherence to religious customs. The Hebrew word for "bury" is "קָבַר" (qabar), which implies an act of honor and duty. Joab's task of burying the dead suggests a conclusion to a battle or conflict, emphasizing the finality of God's judgment on Edom. This act also highlights the somber reality of war and the cost of expanding a kingdom, reminding readers of the human toll in fulfilling divine purposes.

and he had struck down every male in Edom
This phrase describes the extent of Joab's military campaign. The Hebrew verb "נָכָה" (nakah) means "to strike" or "to smite," indicating a decisive and thorough action. The phrase "every male" underscores the completeness of the conquest, reflecting ancient warfare practices where eliminating male populations was a strategy to prevent future rebellion. This action fulfilled God's earlier prophecy to Rebekah that "the older will serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23), as Edom, descended from Esau, was subjugated by Israel, descended from Jacob. This fulfillment of prophecy demonstrates God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan through history.

(15) The war here described is briefly noted, with some differences of detail, in 2Samuel 8:12-14, 1Chronicles 18:11-13, and Psalms 60 (title and 1Kings 11:8). It is there closely connected with the great struggle with the Syrians, and the victory is ascribed in one record to Joab, in the other to Abishai. Here David himself is described as taking part in the war--perhaps completing the conquest, as in the war with Ammon, after it had been successfully begun by Joab (2Samuel 12:26-31). (Instead of "David was in Edom," the LXX. and other versions read "David destroyed Edom," by a slight variation of the Hebrew text.) The war was evidently one of ruthless extermination of "every male," except those who fled the country, or found refuge in its rocky fastnesses, and was carried on by systematic ravage under the command of Joab. How it was provoked we do not know; for we have no previous notice of Edom since the time of the Exodus, except a reference to war against it in the days of Saul (1Samuel 14:47).

Verse 15. - For it came to pass, when David was in Edom [2 Samuel 8:14. But the text is peculiar. Instead of "in Edom" we have "with Edom," את־אדם, unless we take את to be the mark of the accusative, which, however, there is no verb to govern. Keil interprets, "When David had to do with Edom." Bahr refers to 1 Chronicles 20:5, and Genesis 19:4, but they are not strictly parallel, and it is possible that the text is slightly corrupt, as the LXX., Syr., and Arab. must have had בהכות instead of בהיות before them "when David smote Edom." The LXX., e.g., reads ἐν τῷ ἐξολοθρεῦσαι κ.τ.λ. It was only vicariously, however, that David smote Edom, or was in Edom. According to 1 Chronicles 18:12, Abishai slew 18,000 Edomites, while Psalm 60. (title) represents Joab as having slain 12,000 at the same time and place. The two brothers were both in high command, or Abishal may have been detailed by Joab to this service], and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain [The commentators generally are agreed that these are the Israelites slain by the Edomites during an invasion of Israel, and not either the Edomites or Israelites slain in the valley of Salt], after he had smitten [rather, that he smote. This is the apodosis] every male in Edom. [This is, of course, hyperbolical (cf. "all Israel" below). It is clear that the whole Edomite nation did not perish. The words point to a terrible slaughter (cf. 1 Chronicles 18:13) among the men of war. Possibly the cruelties of the Edomites (compare Psalm 137:7; Obadiah 1:10-14) had provoked this act of retribution, as to which see Deuteronomy 20:13.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Earlier,
וַיְהִ֗י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

when David
דָּוִד֙ (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

was
בִּֽהְי֤וֹת (bih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in Edom,
אֱד֔וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

Joab
יוֹאָב֙ (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

the commander
שַׂ֣ר (śar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of the army
הַצָּבָ֔א (haṣ·ṣā·ḇā)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

had gone
בַּעֲל֗וֹת (ba·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to bury
לְקַבֵּ֖ר (lə·qab·bêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6912: To inter

the dead
הַחֲלָלִ֑ים (ha·ḥă·lā·lîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted

and had struck down
וַיַּ֥ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

male
זָכָ֖ר (zā·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male

in Edom.
בֶּאֱדֽוֹם׃ (be·’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment


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OT History: 1 Kings 11:15 For it happened when David was (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
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