1 Kings 2:29 Meaning and Explanation
“And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Told that Joab clings to the altar, Solomon sends Benaiah to carry out the sentence against him.
What Does 1 Kings 2:29 Mean?
Solomon learns that Joab has fled to the altar, and he sends Benaiah with the order to execute him. The king does not regard the sanctuary as a shield for one guilty of murder; the long-standing debt of innocent blood must be paid.
The scene presses a hard question about the limits of refuge. The altar pointed to God's mercy, yet that mercy was never meant to overturn justice for the unrepentant shedder of blood. Solomon acts on the conviction that the kingdom cannot be cleansed while such guilt stands unanswered. Mercy and justice meet ultimately not at an earthly altar but at the cross, where both are perfectly satisfied.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 2:29
What does 1 Kings 2:29 mean?
Told that Joab clings to the altar, Solomon sends Benaiah to carry out the sentence against him.