John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 20:14
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom ,.... This country was sometimes governed by kings, and sometimes by "dukes", see Genesis 36:14 . At the time of the passage of the Israelites through the Red sea, we read of the dukes of Edom, Exodus 15:15 , and here, thirty nine years after, of a king of Edom, but who he was is not certain. Bishop Usher takes him to be the same with Hadar, the last of the race of kings mentioned in Genesis 36:39 , to him Moses sent... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 20:14-21
We have here the application made by Israel to the Edomites. The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel now lay encamped was through the country of Edom. Now, I. Moses sends ambassadors to treat with the king of Edom for leave to pass through his country, and gives them instructions what to say, Num. 20:14-17. 1. They are to claim kindred with the Edomites: Thus saith thy brother Israel. Both nations descended from Abraham and Isaac, their common ancestors; Esau and Jacob, the two... read more