Joab’s Execution
October 25, 2020
Commentary
The removal of four men was imperative if Solomon’s throne was to remain secure. Already Adonijah has been lain. Now the second conspirator, Abiathar, has to be dealt with. He was the priest who though faithful to David, had supported Adonijah as his successor. He could have been justly executed because of his conspiracy but because he was a priest who had carried the Ark during David’s lifetime Solomon showed mercy toward him. He was removed from the priestly office and restricted to his home town of Anathoh, about three miles northeast of Jerusalem. Evidently, he was the sole survivor of Eli’s family and Solomon’s action carried out God’s promise of punishment upon the house of Eli (I Sam. 2:31-36).
Next in line was Joab who had been head of the army under David (II Sam. 8:16). Recalling Joab’s murder of both Anes and Amasa, David had commanded Solomon to make sure that he received his just punishment. In addition to this, the king knew that Joab had supported Adonijah in his unsuccessful coup. Hearing about Adonijah’s death and Abiathar’s exile, Joab fled to the protection of the horns of the brazen altar. This was a place of refuge for those whose lives were in danger. However, this was only a place of safety for those whose crime was accidental.
Benaiah, the new army general, under orders of the King went to the altar and killed Joab. For murder he was executed without mercy but he was allowed an honorable burial on his own land because of his long service to David.
Application
The author of Kings clearly demonstrates the faithfulness of God to His word through all of this. I can be sure that He will also be faithful to His word as He deals with me.
1 Kings 2:26– 35 (NET)
26 The king then told Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your property in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but today I will not kill you because you did carry the ark of the Sovereign Lord before my father David and you suffered with my father through all his difficult times.” 27 Solomon removed Abiathar from being a priest for the Lord, fulfilling the Lord’s message that he had pronounced against the family of Eli in Shiloh.
28 When the news reached Joab (for Joab had supported Adonijah, although he had not supported Absalom), he ran to the tent of the Lord and grabbed hold of the horns of the altar. 29 When King Solomon heard that Joab had run to the tent of the Lord and was right there beside the altar, he ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada, “Go, strike him down.” 30 When Benaiah arrived at the tent of the Lord, he said to him, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But he replied, “No, I will die here!” So Benaiah sent word to the king and reported Joab’s reply. 31 The king told him, “Do as he said! Strike him down and bury him. Take away from me and from my father’s family the guilt of Joab’s murderous, bloody deeds. 32 May the Lord punish him for the blood he shed; behind my father David’s back he struck down and murdered with the sword two men who were more innocent and morally upright than he —Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. 33 May Joab and his descendants be perpetually guilty of their shed blood, but may the Lord give perpetual peace to David, his descendants, his family, and his dynasty.” 34 So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and executed Joab; he was buried at his home in the wilderness. 35 The king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada to take his place at the head of the army, and the king appointed Zadok the priest to take Abiathar’s place.