1Ki 2:29-46 | 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 2:29-46

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.

A New Commander and a New Priest

Benaiah is now openly appointed as army commander instead of Joab who has behaved unworthy of this position. The priest Zadok replaces Abiathar (1Sam 2:35).

Solomon Deals With Shimei

Shimei gets the chance to prove his obedience by coming to and living in Jerusalem, near Solomon. He is told where the limits of his freedom of movement lie. Jerusalem becomes his prison. He agrees with the terms and conditions. The language he uses is reminiscent of the consent of the people of Israel to the conditions for obtaining the blessing of God (Exo 19:8). It will be with Simeï as it was with Israel, for just as Israel did not keep its promise, he does not keep his promise.

Shimei calls for judgment upon himself by not keeping the promise made. Here we see the person who does not know himself. It can take a long time, but then what is in his heart is revealed. Shimei adheres to the conditions, until two slaves run away, resulting in a personal loss. He can’t let that go. Therefore, he crosses the limits that have been set for him and breaks the oath he has made about it. His runaway slaves are more important than his promise to Solomon to be obedient.

Solomon hears it and gets him brought to him. He reminds him of the appointment. He also reminds him of what he did to his father David and that he did so consciously. Solomon orders Benaiah to kill him. The judgment is carried out quickly, as is appropriate for a king who rules in justice.

In what Shimei does, we see the principle that a person can win the whole world, but can lose his soul (Mt 16:26). What use is it to Shimei that he has his servants back, while it costs him his life? People can admit that they are sinners without drawing the right conclusions. In contrast to this unfaithful conduct, David’s throne stands forever.

Solomon is established in the kingship when he has removed all stumbling blocks from his kingdom (cf. Mt 13:41-43). Thus, the Christian will know and enjoy the peace of God if he removes from his life everything that prevents his life from being ruled by the Lord Jesus as the Prince of peace.