1 Kings 2:28-34

1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 Kings 2:28 Following David’s instructions (see vv. 1 Kings 2:5 and notes), Solomon moves to have Joab killed. horns of the altar. See note on 1:50. Benaiah... struck him down. Joab does not think that Solomon will be as ruthless as Joab had shown himself to be, that is, prepared even to have someone killed in the sanctuary. Though this was not strictly in compliance with Exodus 21:12 (which states that a murderer is to be taken away from the altar and put to death), taking refuge in the sanctuary applied only to the case of accidental death (Exodus 21:13), not intentional murder. David’s view (see note on 1 Kings 2:5) was that Joab deserved death for the murder of both Abner (2 Samuel 3:27) and Amasa (2 Samuel 20:10).