So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness. So Benaiah son of JehoiadaBenaiah, whose name means "Yahweh has built," was a valiant warrior and loyal servant of King David and later King Solomon. His father, Jehoiada, was a priest, indicating Benaiah's noble lineage and his upbringing in a God-fearing environment. Benaiah's role in this passage highlights the importance of loyalty and obedience to God's anointed king, reflecting the divine order and justice being established in Solomon's reign. went up
The phrase "went up" signifies a deliberate and purposeful action. In the context of ancient Israel, going up often implies moving towards a place of significance or authority. Benaiah's ascent to execute Joab represents the fulfillment of King Solomon's command, underscoring the theme of divine justice and the establishment of Solomon's kingdom in accordance with God's will. and struck down Joab
Joab, a seasoned military commander under King David, had previously committed acts of murder against Abner and Amasa, which were against David's wishes. The Hebrew root for "struck down" conveys a sense of decisive and righteous judgment. This act was not merely a political maneuver but a necessary step to cleanse the kingdom of bloodguilt and to uphold the sanctity of God's law. and killed him
The execution of Joab was a fulfillment of justice as prescribed by the law. Joab's death serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. It also illustrates the transition from David's reign to Solomon's, where justice and wisdom are paramount. and he was buried
Burial in ancient Israel was a significant act, often reflecting one's honor or dishonor. Joab's burial, despite his execution, indicates a measure of respect for his past service and his status. It also signifies the finality of his judgment and the closure of his chapter in Israel's history. at his own house
The mention of Joab's burial "at his own house" suggests a return to his origins and a personal end. It reflects the biblical principle that one's actions ultimately lead to their own consequences, and it serves as a poignant reminder of the personal nature of divine justice. in the wilderness
The wilderness in biblical terms often symbolizes a place of desolation, testing, or judgment. Joab's burial in the wilderness signifies his fall from grace and the isolation resulting from his actions. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual barrenness that accompanies a life lived in defiance of God's laws. Persons / Places / Events 1. Benaiah son of JehoiadaA loyal and valiant warrior in King David's army, later serving as the commander of Solomon's army. Known for his bravery and faithfulness to the king. 2. JoabThe commander of David's army, known for his military prowess but also for his acts of violence and disobedience to King David's commands. His execution was ordered by Solomon as part of consolidating his kingdom. 3. SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, who became king after David. He is known for his wisdom and for establishing his rule by dealing with potential threats to his throne. 4. The WildernessThe place where Joab was buried, symbolizing his isolation and the consequences of his actions. 5. The House of JoabRepresents Joab's legacy and the end of his influence, as he was buried in his own property, away from the royal city. Teaching Points Justice and AccountabilityJoab's execution underscores the biblical principle that actions have consequences. Even those in high positions are accountable for their actions. Loyalty and ObedienceBenaiah's role highlights the importance of loyalty and obedience to rightful authority, as he faithfully carries out Solomon's command. The Cost of DisobedienceJoab's life serves as a warning about the dangers of disobedience and rebellion against God's anointed leaders. The Role of LeadershipSolomon's actions demonstrate the responsibility of leaders to uphold justice and maintain order, even when it involves difficult decisions. Legacy and InfluenceJoab's burial in the wilderness signifies the end of his influence, reminding us to consider the legacy we leave behind. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the execution of Joab reflect the biblical principle of justice, and what can we learn about God's view of justice from this event? 2. In what ways does Benaiah's obedience to Solomon's command serve as a model for our own obedience to God's directives? 3. How do Joab's actions throughout his life illustrate the consequences of disobedience and rebellion against authority? 4. What lessons can we draw from Solomon's leadership in dealing with Joab, and how can these lessons be applied to modern-day leadership roles? 5. Reflect on the concept of legacy as seen in Joab's burial. How can we ensure that the legacy we leave aligns with our faith and values? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 2:5-6Provides context for Joab's execution, as David instructs Solomon to deal with Joab's past murders. 2 Samuel 3:27 and 2 Samuel 20:10Detail Joab's murders of Abner and Amasa, which were key reasons for his execution. Exodus 21:14Relates to the concept of justice and the punishment of murderers, which Solomon enacts through Benaiah. People Abiathar, Abishag, Abner, Absalom, Achish, Adonijah, Amasa, Anathoth, Barzillai, Bathsheba, Benaiah, David, Eli, Gera, Haggith, Jehoiada, Jether, Joab, Maacah, Maachah, Ner, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Anathoth, Bahurim, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kidron, Mahanaim, ShilohTopics Benaiah, Benai'ah, Body, Buried, Death, Desert, Falleth, Falling, Fell, Jehoiada, Jehoi'ada, Joab, Killed, Putteth, Rest, Slew, Struck, Waste, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:34 5572 sword 1 Kings 2:28-34 7315 blood, basis of life 1 Kings 2:31-34 5969 treachery Library The Horns of the Altar
WE MUST tell you the story. Solomon was to be the king after David, but his elder brother, Adonijah, was preferred by Joab, the captain of the host, and by Abiathar, the priest; and, therefore, they got together, and tried to steal a march upon dying David, and set up Adonijah. They utterly failed in this; and when Solomn came to the throne Adonijah was afraid for his life, and fled to the horns of the altar at the tabernacle for shelter. Solomn permitted him to find sanctuary there, and forgave …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at the Right Hand of the Father...
11. "He ascended into heaven:" believe. "He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:" believe. By sitting, understand dwelling: as [in Latin] we say of any person, "In that country he dwelt (sedit) three years." The Scripture also has that expression, that such an one dwelt (sedisse) in a city for such a time. [1791] Not meaning that he sat and never rose up? On this account the dwellings of men are called seats (sedes). [1792] Where people are seated (in this sense), are they always sitting? Is …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds Whether Curiosity Can be About Intellective Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that curiosity cannot be about intellective knowledge. Because, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ii, 6), there can be no mean and extremes in things which are essentially good. Now intellective knowledge is essentially good: because man's perfection would seem to consist in his intellect being reduced from potentiality to act, and this is done by the knowledge of truth. For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv) that "the good of the human soul is to be in accordance with reason," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Angels have Bodies Naturally United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that angels have bodies naturally united to them. For Origen says (Peri Archon i): "It is God's attribute alone---that is, it belongs to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, as a property of nature, that He is understood to exist without any material substance and without any companionship of corporeal addition." Bernard likewise says (Hom. vi. super Cant.): "Let us assign incorporeity to God alone even as we do immortality, whose nature alone, neither for its own sake …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Natural Law Can be Changed?
Objection 1: It would seem that the natural law can be changed. Because on Ecclus. 17:9, "He gave them instructions, and the law of life," the gloss says: "He wished the law of the letter to be written, in order to correct the law of nature." But that which is corrected is changed. Therefore the natural law can be changed. Objection 2: Further, the slaying of the innocent, adultery, and theft are against the natural law. But we find these things changed by God: as when God commanded Abraham to slay …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
Text: 1 Peter 3, 8-15. 8 Finally, be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: 11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 2:34 NIV1 Kings 2:34 NLT1 Kings 2:34 ESV1 Kings 2:34 NASB1 Kings 2:34 KJV
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