1 Kings 2:28 Meaning and Explanation
“Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Hearing the news, Joab flees to the LORD's tabernacle and grasps the horns of the altar for refuge.
What Does 1 Kings 2:28 Mean?
Word reaches Joab, who had backed Adonijah's bid though he had stayed clear of Absalom's earlier revolt. Fearing for his life, the old commander flees to the tabernacle and seizes 'the horns of the altar,' the traditional place of sanctuary where one might plead for mercy.
The horns of the altar were a refuge for those who sought protection, but the law granted no shelter there to one guilty of deliberate murder. Joab, whose hands bore the innocent blood of Abner and Amasa, grasps for a sanctuary his deeds have forfeited. The verse poignantly shows that ritual refuge cannot finally cover guilt that has never been answered; only true repentance and rightful judgment can settle such a debt.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 2:28
What does 1 Kings 2:28 mean?
Hearing the news, Joab flees to the LORD's tabernacle and grasps the horns of the altar for refuge.