Lexical Summary Rezon: Rezon Original Word: רְזוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rezon From razan; prince; Rezon, a Syrian -- Rezon. see HEBREW razan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom razan Definition an Aramean (Syrian) of Solomon's time NASB Translation Rezon (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רְזוֺן proper name, masculine founder of kingdom of Damascus, Solomon's time, 1 Kings 11:23; ᵐ5 (1 Kings 11:14) Εσρωμ [A 1 Kings 11:23 Ραξων]; identified with חֶזְיוֺן 1 Kings 15:18 by Th Klo (reading חזרון), but compare Kit Benz. Topical Lexicon Name and Identity Rezon son of Eliada emerges in Scripture as a Syrian leader who transformed from fugitive captain to monarch over Damascus. Although his name is attested only once, the narrative surrounding him bears far-reaching historical and theological weight. Historical Background Rezon first appears after the defeat of his former master, Hadadezer king of Zobah, in David’s campaigns against the Aramean coalition (see 2 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 10). In the power vacuum created by Hadadezer’s humiliation, Rezon gathered a band of men, seized control of Damascus, and laid the groundwork for what would become a formidable Aramean kingdom. Adversary Raised Up by God “God also raised up Rezon son of Eliada as an adversary against Solomon” (1 Kings 11:23). The text explicitly attributes his rise to divine action, placing Rezon alongside Hadad the Edomite as instruments of covenant discipline upon Solomon. Verse 25 adds, “Rezon was Israel’s enemy all the days of Solomon,” underscoring a continuous, divinely permitted pressure on Israel’s borders. Geopolitical Significance 1 Kings 11:24 notes that Rezon “reigned in Damascus,” marking the beginning of Damascus as an independent Aramean capital. His hostility toward Israel anticipated centuries of conflict between Damascus and Samaria/Judah (for example, 1 Kings 20; 2 Kings 6–8; Isaiah 7). Rezon’s ascent thus foreshadows a long-standing Syrian menace that shaped Israel’s foreign policy, military expenditures, and prophetic oracles. Covenantal Implications Rezon’s account unfolds in direct response to Solomon’s covenant unfaithfulness (1 Kings 11:11). The Lord’s sovereignty in “raising up” an external foe reinforces the biblical pattern in which disobedience invites corrective opposition (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Rezon serves as a living reminder that national security in Israel was never a merely political issue; it was inseparable from covenant loyalty. Preparing the Way for the Divided Kingdom By harassing Israel from the north while Hadad vexed from the south, Rezon helped weaken Solomon’s realm, softening the empire for the rupture that occurred under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12). His raids and territorial consolidation in Damascus effectively cut Israel off from northern trade routes, diminishing both revenue and influence and contributing to the fragility of the soon-to-be-divided monarchy. Ministry and Pastoral Reflections • The rise of Rezon illustrates that divine chastening can arrive through geopolitical events rather than overtly miraculous acts. Legacy in Biblical Theology Rezon’s Damascus kingdom becomes the stage for later prophetic interactions: Elijah and Elisha ministered during frequent Aramean aggression, and Isaiah’s prophecy against Damascus (Isaiah 17) presupposes the line of kings stemming from Rezon’s foundation. Thus, a single verse in 1 Kings introduces a figure whose influence reverberates through historical narrative, prophetic literature, and the unfolding messianic hope that, ultimately, will bring peace far surpassing any national border skirmish (Isaiah 9:6–7; Micah 4:2–4). Forms and Transliterations רְז֖וֹן רזון rə·zō·wn reZon rəzōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 11:23 HEB: שָׂטָ֔ן אֶת־ רְז֖וֹן בֶּן־ אֶלְיָדָ֑ע NAS: up [another] adversary to him, Rezon the son KJV: [another] adversary, Rezon the son INT: God up adversary Rezon the son of Eliada 1 Occurrence |
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