מלכים א, פרק י״א, פסוק כ״ה

The final years of Solomon's reign were marked by a sudden rise in external security and political threats, directly reflecting the spiritual decline of the king. Enemies who had long been subdued under Israelite rule began to lift their heads and challenge the kingdom's dominance. Although it might appear that these adversaries troubled Solomon continuously, commentators agree that this period of conflict only began in his old age, starting from the moment he sinned and lasting until his death. The sudden appearance of these enemies was specifically intended to urge Solomon to repent, proving to him that the peace and quiet he previously enjoyed depended entirely on his devotion to God [רד״ק]. During this turbulent time, Solomon avoided launching any offensive military campaigns to drive the rebels out of his territory, settling instead for basic defensive security measures [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This uprising did not happen in isolation. It was a combined front, as the rebel leader Rezon joined forces with the hostility stirred up by Hadad the Edomite. Recognizing that he could not successfully confront the Israelites on his own, Rezon allied with Hadad, and together they created severe distress for the kingdom [מצודת דוד]. Rezon harbored a deep disgust and loathing for the Israelites, fueling his desire to rebel [מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. He strongly resented the ongoing Israelite rule and the presence of the governors who had been stationed in Aram since the days of David [מצודת דוד]. Beyond mere hatred, Rezon lived in a state of constant frustration because he could not destroy the Israelites to the extent he desired, always searching for new opportunities to cause them harm [רלב״ג].

As a result of this intense hostility, Aram ceased its submission and stopped paying tribute to the Israelites. Rezon, who initially controlled only Damascus, managed to unite the entirety of Aram under his leadership. The people of Aram accepted him as their ruler out of fear of a military retaliation from Solomon, hoping that Rezon would serve as their protector [מלבי״ם]. By doing so, Rezon completely replaced the Israelite authority and established himself as an independent king [מצודת דוד]. He went on to found a royal dynasty in Aram, which he named after his partner in the rebellion, Hadad, honoring the great power and influence Hadad held during that time [רלב״ג].