1 Kings 2:28

_THEN TIDINGS CAME TO JOAB: FOR JOAB HAD TURNED AFTER ADONIJAH, THOUGH HE TURNED NOT AFTER ABSALOM. AND JOAB FLED UNTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD, AND CAUGHT HOLD ON THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR._ Then tidings came to Joab. The execution of these sentences respectively on Adonijah and Abiathar prepared Joab for his fate. Death, due to his great crimes (Numbers 35:33), would long ago have been inflicted had not his power and popularity with the army been too formidable for the old king. He now fled to the altar, which, though a recognized asylum, afforded no sanctuary to the rebel and murderer (Exodus 21:14). And, as he refused to leave it, he seems to have cherished some faint hope that a religious scruple would have been felt at the thought of violating the sanctity of the place by bloodshed.

26-34 Solomon's words to Abiathar, and his silence, imply that some recent conspiracies had been entered into. Those that show kindness to God's people shall have it remembered to their advantage. For this reason Solomon spares Abiathar's life, but dismisses him from his offices. In case of such sins as the blood of beasts would atone for, the altar was a refuge, but not in Joab's case. Solomon looks upward to God as the Author of peace, and forward to eternity as the perfection of it. The Lord of peace himself gives us that peace which is everlasting....

Verse 1 Kings 2:28. _TIDINGS CAME TO JOAB_] He heard that Adonijah had been slain and Abiathar banished, and probably he had heard of David's dying charge to Solomon. Fearing therefore for his personal safety, he takes refuge at the tabernacle, as claiming Divine protection, and desiring to have his case decided by God alone; or perhaps a spark of remorse is now kindled; and, knowing that he must die, he wishes to die in the house of God, as it were under the shadow, that he might receive the mercy of the Almighty....

Joab followed the example of Adonijab (margin reference). The tabernacle was now at Gibeon 1 Kings 3:4; 1 Chronicles 16:39....

EXPOSITION THE DEPOSITION OF ABIATHAR AND THE DEATH OF JOAB. 1 KINGS 2:26 AND UNTO ABIATHAR THE PRIEST [see note on 1 Kings 1:8. The historian now relates the end of Adonijah's confederates] SAID THE KING, GET THEE TO ANATHOTH [The Heb. is extremely curt and authoritative, corresponding well with the anger and determination of the speaker. Anathoth, the home of Abiathar, was also the residence of another high priest, Hilkiah (Jeremiah 1:1). It was in Benjamin, a priests' city, and had suburbs (Jer 21:1

THEN TIDINGS CAME TO JOAB,.... Of the death of Adonijah, and the deposition of Abiathar: FOR JOAB HAD TURNED AFTER ADONIJAH; publicly appeared at his feast, when he was saluted king by him, and others, and privately gave him advice in the affair of Abishag: THOUGH HE TURNED NOT AFTER ABSALOM; did not join with him in his rebellion, but faithfully adhered to David; and yet both in his lifetime, and after his death, acted the traitorous part in favour of Adonijah: Ben Gersom gives these words a different sense, as if he was blameworthy in both cases; that he turned after Adonijah to make him king, without consulting David, and having his consent; and he did not turn after Absalom, to deliver him from death, as David commanded him; but the former sense is best: AND JOAB FLED UNTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD; which was at Gibeon, see 2

II. SOLOMON'S GLORIOUS REIGN. HIS FAILURE AND END 1. The Righteous judgment of Solomon CHAPTER 2:12-46) _ 1. Solomon upon the throne (1 Kings 2:12)_ 2. Adonijah's request (1 Kings 2:13) 3. Bath-sheba before Solomon (1 Kings 2:19) 4. Solomon's answer and sentence upon Adonijah (1 Kings 2:22) 5. Adonijah executed (1 Kings 2:25) 6. Abiathar thrust out (1 Kings 2:26) 7. Joab and Shimei executed ...

DEATH OF DAVID; SOLOMON ESTABLISHED ON HIS THRONE. The main source of this chapter is the same as that of 1, but interspersed are Deuteronomic additions (1 Kings 2:3 f., 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 2:27). The authenticity of David's advice to Solomon has been disputed, especially the reasons given for procuring Joab's execution. Judged by any standard it places his character in an unamiable light. Solomon was advised to find a pretext for putting Joab and Shimei to death, and perfidy is inculcated as wisdom (1 Kings 2:6; 1 Kings 2:9). Without attempting to justify its mo

ABSALOM. Syriac and Vulgate read "Solomon". TABERNACLE. Hebrew. _'ohel_, tent. See App-40....

Flight of Joab and his death. Benaiah succeeds him as captain of the host (Not in Chronicles) 28. _Then tidings came to Joab_ The Hebrew says - AND THE tidings came to Joab", i.e. of Abiathar's banishment, and he felt that his own turn was soon to come. _turned after_ i.e. Took the side of. It was Joab, who being on David's side, slew Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14). This crime, though never brought forward, no doubt instigated David to advise, and Solomon to provide that Joab should be taken out of the way. All the ancient versions except the Chaldee, have here -For Joab had turned after Adonijah, and had not turned after Solomon." _the tabernacle of the Lord_ The word here, as elsewhere, is the ordinary word for a TENT, and if thus translated gives to the English reader a better notion of what the structure was. _horns of the altar_ Se