1 Kings 11:18

“And they arose out of Midian, etc.] A country which lay in their way to Egypt, and where it seems they made some stay, and then departed: and came to Paran; near to which was a wilderness of the same name, in which the Israelites wandered when they came out of Egypt, and which lay between Edom and Egypt: and they took men with them out of Paran; either as guides and guards through the wilderness, or to make the better appearance before Pharaoh, and that they might meet with the better reception: and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; and told their case, and informed him who Hadad was: who, pitying an unfortunate young prince, gave him an house; for him and his servants to dwell…”

“Midian - A town in the south of Judah. Paran is the desert tract immediately to the south of Judaea, the modern desert of et-Tih. Pharaoh - King of the twenty-first (Tanite) dynasty; probably he was Psusennes I, Manetho’s second king. It appears to have been the policy of the Pharaohs about this time to make friends and contract alliances with their eastern neighbors. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Midian - He fled at first with an intent to go into Egypt, but took Midian, a neighbouring country, in his way, and staid there a while, possibly 'till he had by some of his servants tried Pharaoh's mind, and prepared the way for his reception. Paran - Another country in the road from Edom to Egypt, where he hired men to attend him, that making his entrance there something like a prince, he might find more favour from that king and people. Land - To support himself and his followers out of the profits of it. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 11:19”

“Midian: Probably not the Midian east of the Red Sea, to which Moses fled ( Exo 2:15, etc.) but the Midian east of the Dead Sea, and south of Moab. These Midianites, whose daughters seduced the Israelites to commit idolatry ( Num 22:4, Num 22:7; Num 25:15; Num 31:2, etc.) were descendants of Midian, son of Abraham ( Gen 25:2). Their capital city was called Midian, and its remains were to be seen in the time of Eusebius and Jerome. it was situated on the Arnon, south of the city Ar, or Areopolis. Gen 25:2, Gen 25:4; Num 22:4, Num 25:6, Num 25:14, Num 25:18 Paran: Probably the city of Paran, or the district around it, situated in the south of Idumea, and according to Eusebius, three days'…”