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Tahpenes

Tahpenes was the wife of the Egyptian pharaoh during Solomon's reign, who showed kindness to Hadad the Edomite by giving him her sister in marriage. She represents God's providence in preserving Hadad, who would later become an adversary to Solomon.

Overview

Tahpenes was the queen of Egypt during the time of Solomon's rule over Israel. When Hadad, an Edomite prince who had escaped Joab's massacre of the Edomites, fled to Egypt, Pharaoh received him favorably. Tahpenes showed such kindness to Hadad that she gave her own sister to him in marriage, and this sister bore Hadad a son named Genubath.

Key Scriptures

"And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him a wife, the sister of Tahpenes his own wife" (1 Kings 11:19, ESV).

"And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes reared in Pharaoh's house" (1 Kings 11:20, ESV).

Application

Tahpenes's actions remind us that even small acts of kindness can have significant providential consequences, as Hadad eventually became an instrument of judgment against Solomon for his unfaithfulness to God.

Scripture References 2
Full Topical Reference List 2 total — Nave's Topical Bible