The king replied to him, “Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him, and thus take away from me and from my father’s house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause.
Abiathar and Joab were equally guilty of treason, yet Solomon rightly made a difference: Abiathar is only degraded and confined to Anathoth, spared because he had borne the ark before David and suffered all his afflictions. Kindness to God's people shall be remembered to their advantage.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 2:26-34
The Lord returns Joab's blood upon his own head because he murdered two men far more righteous than himself, Abner and Amasa, in cold treachery while my father David knew nothing of it. His secret murders of the innocent exceed their open rebellion in guilt, and retaliation is just.
AI summary
Joab's crimes warranted death long ago, but his power with the army shielded him until now. He fled to the altar hoping religious scruple would stay the executioner's hand, but the law permits no sanctuary for a murderer and rebel.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 2:28-45