1 Kings 2:31

_AND IT WAS TOLD KING SOLOMON THAT JOAB WAS FLED UNTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD; AND, BEHOLD, HE IS BY THE ALTAR. THEN SOLOMON SENT BENAIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA, SAYING, GO, FALL UPON HIM._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

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....

It was only a murderer to whom the tabernacle was to be no protection (margin reference). Hence, the reference to the “innocent blood.”...

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

AND THE KING SAID UNTO HIM, DO AS HE HATH SAID, AND FALL UPON HIM, AND BURY HIM,.... Let him die where he is, slay him upon the spot, and then bury him; not by the altar, but in his own sepulchre, as later related, that in, give orders to bury him there; for Benaiah being a priest, could not be concerned in the burial of him, and besides it was below the dignity of his office: (1 Chronicles 27:2 where Gill advances resaons for Benaiah not being a priest. Editor.) THAT THOU MAYEST TAKE AWAY THE INNOCENT BLOOD, WHICH JOAB SHED, FROM ME, AND FROM THE HOUSE OF MY FATHER; which had been too long connived at, and had called for vengeance; and now here was a proper opportunity upon fresh sins committed to avenge it, and so remove the guilt, which lay upon him and his father's house, for not inflicting deserved punishment on him for it....

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

_and bury him_ The LXX. adds these words to the king's previous order in 1 Kings 2:29. Joab was Solomon's cousin, and so though it was a political necessity to put him to death, the king would not care to add further dishonour to the dead body. _the innocent blood_ i.e. The causeless bloodshed of innocent people of which Joab had been guilty, and which, until it was avenged, would lie at the door of David and his descendants....

D. THE PLIGHT OF OTHER CONSPIRATORS 2:26-35 It would appear that Abiathar and Joab were again involved in the conspiracy to give the throne to Adonijah. At least this is the interpretation which Solomon put on their conduct. Thus it was in conjunction with the execution of Adonijah that Solomon (1) expelled Abiathar from the priesthood (1 Kings 2:26-27); and (2) executed Joab (1 Kings 2:28-35). _1. THE EXPULSION OF ABIATHAR_ (1 Kings 2:26-27) TRANSLATION (26) Then to Abiathar the priest the king said, Go to Anathoth to your fields, for you are a man of death; but I will not execute you, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because you s

DAVID'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT The recital of David's last charge to Solomon and his death is followed by an account of the execution of Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei. 3, 4. Cp. Deuteronomy 17; 2 Samuel 7; 2 Samuel 7. 5. ABNER.. AMASA] For Abner see 1 Chronicles 9:36; 1 Samuel 14:50; 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 2-3 for Amasa see 2 Samuel 17:25 (Cp....