In the ancient world, political alliances were often solidified through marriage, and the union between Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter is a prime example. Pharaoh's conquest of Gezer and its subsequent gifting to Solomon as a dowry underscores the strategic nature of such alliances. By capturing Gezer, Pharaoh not only expanded his influence but also secured a powerful alliance with Israel through Solomon. The act of giving Gezer as a wedding gift also highlights the practice of using cities and territories as tokens of alliance and goodwill. This event reflects the complex interplay of power, politics, and family ties in the ancient Near East. It shows how marriage was not merely a personal union but a significant political tool that could alter the balance of power between nations. The destruction of Gezer's Canaanite inhabitants before its transfer indicates the often-violent nature of territorial expansion and the shifting control of lands during this period. Such historical events remind us of the intricate and often turbulent relationships that shaped the biblical world.
(Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire. He killed its Canaanite inhabitants and then gave it as a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon’s wife.)
1 Kings 9:16
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