1 Kings 2:31 Meaning and Explanation
“And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Solomon orders the sentence carried out so that the guilt of Joab's innocent bloodshed is removed from David's house.
What Does 1 Kings 2:31 Mean?
Solomon confirms the command and gives the reason: the execution will 'take away the innocent blood' Joab had shed, lifting its guilt from the king and from David's house. The matter is not personal hatred but the cleansing of a stain that has long endangered the throne.
The verse reflects the deep biblical conviction that innocent blood defiles a land and a household until justice answers it. By dealing with Joab's crimes, Solomon clears his father's house of a guilt David could not resolve. It is a sobering picture of how seriously God regards the shedding of innocent blood, and how its removal makes way for true peace.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 2:31
What does 1 Kings 2:31 mean?
Solomon orders the sentence carried out so that the guilt of Joab's innocent bloodshed is removed from David's house.