◄ 1 Kings 2:5 ►
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me--what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.
Study Bible
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—

As David prepared to die, he reminded Solomon that Joab’s crimes were also offenses against David’s throne and against the justice God required of Israel’s king. Joab had served David effectively in war, yet his ruthless independence repeatedly defied David’s authority. Zeruiah was David’s sister, making Joab David’s nephew and a man of great influence within the royal household.

2Sa 18:14-15 But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this!”…
2Sa 3:39 And I am weak this day, though anointed as king,…
1Ki 1:7 So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah…

what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel.

Abner had commanded Saul’s army and later sought peace with David after recognizing that the Lord had given the kingdom to him. Joab murdered Abner at Hebron under the pretense of a private conversation, avenging the death of his brother Asahel. Amasa, whom David appointed to replace Joab after Absalom’s rebellion, was likewise killed deceitfully by Joab. Joab removed both men because personal revenge and fear of losing power ruled him.

2Sa 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside…
2Sa 20:10 Amasa was not on guard against the dagger…
2Sa 19:13-14 And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood?…

He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war.

Neither Abner nor Amasa died on a battlefield. Abner came to David in peace and departed under David’s protection; Amasa was serving David’s cause when Joab struck him down. Joab treated private vengeance as though it were lawful warfare, shedding innocent blood during a time when justice and reconciliation should have prevailed. His actions threatened the peace and unity of the kingdom.

2Sa 3:30 Joab and Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed Asahel…
Num 35:16-21 If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object…
Deu 19:11-13 If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies…

He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

Joab carried the guilt of bloodshed as openly as a warrior wore his belt and sandals. His violence had become part of his public life and personal character. David charged Solomon to address Joab’s crimes wisely, so that the kingdom would not be founded upon ignored injustice or the unchecked power of a man of blood.

Isa 63:2-3 Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments…
Psa 58:10 The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged;…
Psa 68:23 that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foes……

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel who is giving final instructions to his son Solomon. He is reflecting on past events and advising Solomon on how to deal with certain individuals.

2. Joab son of Zeruiah
The commander of David's army, known for his military prowess but also for his ruthless actions, including the murders of Abner and Amasa.

3. Abner son of Ner
The commander of Saul's army who later supported David. He was killed by Joab under the guise of a peaceful meeting.

4. Amasa son of Jether
Appointed by David as commander of the army in place of Joab. He was also killed by Joab, who saw him as a rival.

5. Solomon
The son of David, who is being instructed on how to establish his kingdom and deal with those who have wronged David.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Unchecked Sin
Joab's actions demonstrate how unchecked sin and personal vendettas can lead to destructive outcomes. Believers are reminded to address sin in their lives before it leads to greater harm.

The Importance of Justice
David's instructions to Solomon emphasize the need for justice and accountability. Christians are called to uphold justice in their communities and personal lives.

Leadership and Integrity
Solomon's task to deal with Joab highlights the importance of integrity and righteousness in leadership. Leaders are encouraged to make decisions that align with God's principles.

The Legacy We Leave
David's reflection on Joab's actions serves as a reminder that our actions leave a legacy. Believers are encouraged to live in a way that honors God and positively impacts others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do Joab's actions reflect the dangers of taking justice into our own hands, and how can we apply Romans 12:19 in our lives today?

2. In what ways does David's instruction to Solomon about Joab demonstrate the importance of justice and accountability in leadership?

3. How can the account of Joab, Abner, and Amasa inform our understanding of the consequences of harboring bitterness and seeking revenge?

4. What lessons can we learn from David's approach to dealing with past wrongs as he prepares Solomon to lead?

5. How can we ensure that our actions and decisions leave a positive legacy for future generations, in light of the examples set by David and Joab?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 3:27
This passage describes the murder of Abner by Joab, providing context to David's instructions to Solomon.

2 Samuel 20:10
Details the murder of Amasa by Joab, further illustrating Joab's violent actions and disregard for David's authority.

Exodus 20:13
The commandment "You shall not murder" highlights the gravity of Joab's actions in the eyes of the law and God.

Romans 12:19
This verse speaks to the principle of leaving vengeance to God, contrasting with Joab's personal vendettas.
Sermons
FarewellsE. De Pressense 1 Kings 2:1-11
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, Zeruiah
Places
Anathoth, Bahurim, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kidron, Mahanaim, Shiloh
Topics
Abner, Amasa, Ama'sa, Armies, Army, Avenging, Band, Battle, Belt, Blood, Captains, Cause, Clothing, Commanders, Dealt, Death, Girdle, Hast, Heads, Hosts, Innocent, Israel's, Jether, Joab, Jo'ab, Killed, Loins, Maketh, Making, Moreover, Murdered, Ner, Payment, Peace, Peacetime, Putteth, Putting, Red, Sandals, Sash, Shed, Shedding, Shoes, Slayeth, Slew, Stained, Taking, Waist, War, Zeruiah, Zeru'iah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 2:5

     5131   belt
     5179   sandal

1 Kings 2:1-12

     5087   David, reign of

1 Kings 2:5-6

     6702   peace, destruction
     7315   blood, basis of life

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

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