We have here a valuable historical note. David had conquered Edom (2 Sam. 8:14; 1 Chron. 18:12, 13), but little is known of the campaign, which must have included many interesting details. This account of Solomon’s adversities brings to light a story that might not otherwise have been preserved. Evidently an attempt was made by David to wipe out this hated race to the south (1 Kings 11:15, 16), with the result that certain servants fled with the young prince, Hadad, to Egypt. It is not known who the Egyptian king was that granted asylum to Hadad, for this was a period of great uncertainty and unrest in Egypt. But to receive the royal exile was both proper Oriental etiquette and excellent politics, as in the case of Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:40). Upon the death of David, Hadad returned to Edom to be a thorn in the flesh to Solomon. Such records as this throw helpful light upon the international politics of the times.