DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 5 November 2025: Self-Incurred Divine Displeasure
Text: 1 Kings 11:14–25 (KJV)
And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.
15 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;
16 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
18 And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.
19 And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh.
21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
22 Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.
23 And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
24 And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.
25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
KEY VERSE: “And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.” — 1 Kings 11:14 (KJV)
Elisabeth Elliot once shared a story at Urbana 1976 about her brother, Thomas Howard. Their mother allowed him to play with paper bags on the condition that he put them away afterward. One day, she found the bags scattered across the floor while Thomas was at the piano with his father, joyfully singing hymns. When confronted, he protested, “But Mom, I want to sing.” His father wisely replied, “It’s no good singing God’s praise if you’re disobedient.”
This story mirrors the situation of King Solomon. Though he was privileged to be chosen by God and blessed beyond measure with wisdom, wealth, and peace, Solomon’s heart eventually strayed from God. In response, the Lord “stirred up adversaries” against him, demonstrating that praise and worship mean little when disobedience reigns in the heart.
Solomon had received clear instructions and fatherly counsel from David to serve God wholeheartedly and avoid idolatry (1 Chronicles 28:9). However, he ignored this warning. His alliances with foreign women led him into idol worship, and his disobedience drew God’s displeasure. Once a favoured and prosperous king, Solomon now faced rising adversaries like Hadad and Rezon—divinely permitted instruments of discipline.
This narrative is a sobering reminder that God’s blessings are preserved by obedience, not carelessness. When Solomon turned his back on God, God withdrew His protective covering, allowing trouble to rise from every side. Disobedience broke the peace that once marked his reign and sowed seeds of instability that affected generations after him.
Beloved, it is dangerous to take God’s mercy for granted. He is patient and gracious but also just and holy. If we persist in sin, we invite His displeasure and the adversary’s activity into our lives. Reflect today: Is there any area where you’ve ignored God’s instructions? Return to Him in repentance. Obedience will always secure divine favour; disobedience will always incur His correction.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Disobedience to God opens the door for the adversary.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Daily Manna 5 November 2025
