Hadadezer

Hadadezer was the king of Zobah, an Aramean kingdom, during the reign of King David of Israel. He is mentioned in 2 Samuel 8, 10, and 1 Chronicles 18, 19. Hadadezer went to restore his control along the Euphrates River, but David defeated him, capturing many of his chariots, horsemen, and foot soldiers (2 Samuel 8:3-4, 1Chronicles2 Samuel 18:3-4). David also took gold shields from Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 8:7, 1Chronicles2 Samuel 18:7). When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, David defeated them as well, and they became subject to Israel (2 Samuel 8:5-6, 1Chronicles2 Samuel 18:5-6). Later, when David's messengers were mistreated by the Ammonites, Hadadezer sent his army to help the Ammonites fight against Israel (2 Samuel 10:16, 1Chronicles2 Samuel 19:16). However, Joab and Abishai, David's commanders, defeated the Arameans and the Ammonites. After this defeat, Hadadezer's allies made peace with Israel and became subject to them (2 Samuel 10:19, 1Chronicles2 Samuel 19:19). The biblical account portrays Hadadezer as a powerful king who posed a significant threat to Israel, but was ultimately defeated by David and his army.