1 Kings 2:28-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26-34

Abiathar and Joab were both aiding and abetting in Adonijah's rebellious attempt, and it is probable were at the bottom of this new motion made of Adonijah for Abishag, and it should seem Solomon knew it, 1 Kgs. 2:22. This was, in both, an intolerable affront both to God and to the government, and the worse because of their high station and the great influence their examples might have upon many. They therefore come next to be reckoned with. They are both equally guilty of 51c0 the treason,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:28

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:29

And it was told King Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord ,.... This account was brought him very probably by some of his courtiers: and, behold, he is by the altar ; to which he betook himself for refuge, laying hold on the horns of it: then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, go, fall upon him ; slay him; Josephus F7 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 1. sect. 4. says, the orders were to cut off his head; but perhaps it might be only to lay hold on him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:30

And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the Lord ,.... At Gibeon: and said unto him ; that is, to Joab: thus saith the king, come forth ; meaning, out of the tabernacle; which plainly shows that his orders were not to slay him in it: and he said, nay, but I will die here ; since he must die, he chose to die there; but what was his reason for it is not so clear; the Jews, some of them, say, to save his goods, and that they might come to his heirs, which would have been forfeited to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:31

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:32

And the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head ,.... By way of retaliation, blood for blood: who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he ; later named; for though they had been in open rebellion against David, yet had submitted, and were reconciled and received into favour; and even their open crimes were not so bad, Solomon judged, as his secret treacherous murders of innocent persons in cool blood; they were men of more honour and integrity than he was, not so cruel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:33

Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever ,.... Not only upon Joab, but upon his posterity as long as there would be any; signifying, that Joab's death would not be a sufficient satisfaction, but the punishment of his murders would be continued to his offspring: see 2 Samuel 3:29 ; but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the Lord ; such traitors and murderers... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:34

So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up ,.... To Gibeon, which was a great high place, 1 Kings 3:4 ; and fell upon him, and slew him ; at the altar; or, dragging him from it at some distance, drew his sword and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness ; not in his dwelling house strictly taken, but in a garden or field adjoining to it, which house in the wilderness; not a waste place uninhabited; for, as Kimchi observes, this word sometimes signifies a place... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 2:30

Nay ; but I will die here - The altars were so sacred among all the people, that, in general, even the vilest wretch found safety, if he once reached the altar. This led to many abuses, and the perversion of public justice; and at last it became a maxim that the guilty should be punished, should they even have taken refuge at the altars. God decreed that the presumptuous murderer who had taken refuge at the altar should be dragged thence, and put to death; see Exodus 21:14 . The... read more

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