1Ki 2:29 | KingComments | STEP | Joab sees that he will be judged and flees to the tent of the LORD. There he takes refuge to the horns of the altar, as Adonijah did before ( ; cf. ). Joab did not have the right to take hold of the horns, because he had not accidentally killed someone. Whether he was aware of this, given the long time that has passed, is unclear. He may also have fled because he assisted Adonijah in his uprising and therefore feared punishment. Solomon knows that the altar is not intended as a refuge for murderers. Therefore he has Joab killed by Benaiah. Thus the ungodly is taken away from before the king and his throne is confirmed by righteousness ( ). If a throne is confirmed by righteousness, there will be eternal peace. Solomon points this out in .

‏ 1 Kings 2:29

Solomon Deals With Joab

Joab sees that he will be judged and flees to the tent of the LORD. There he takes refuge to the horns of the altar, as Adonijah did before (1Kgs 1:50; cf. Exo 21:13-14). Joab did not have the right to take hold of the horns, because he had not accidentally killed someone. Whether he was aware of this, given the long time that has passed, is unclear. He may also have fled because he assisted Adonijah in his uprising and therefore feared punishment.

Solomon knows that the altar is not intended as a refuge for murderers. Therefore he has Joab killed by Benaiah. Thus the ungodly is taken away from before the king and his throne is confirmed by righteousness (Pro 25:5). If a throne is confirmed by righteousness, there will be eternal peace. Solomon points this out in 1Kgs 2:33.