Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then the king commanded Benaiah, “Do as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so clear me and my whole family of the guilt of the innocent blood that Joab shed. New Living Translation “Do as he said,” the king replied. “Kill him there beside the altar and bury him. This will remove the guilt of Joab’s senseless murders from me and from my father’s family. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. Berean Literal Bible And the king said to him, “Do as he has said and strike him down and bury him, that you may take away the innocent blood that Joab shed from me and from the house of my father. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Then the king said to him, “Do as he has said, and strike him down and bury him, that you may take away from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood which Joab shed. New American Standard Bible And the king said to him, “Do just as he has spoken, and execute him and bury him, so that you may remove from me and from my father’s house the blood which Joab shed without justification. NASB 1995 The king said to him, “Do as he has spoken and fall upon him and bury him, that you may remove from me and from my father’s house the blood which Joab shed without cause. NASB 1977 And the king said to him, “Do as he has spoken and fall upon him and bury him, that you may remove from me and from my father’s house the blood which Joab shed without cause. Legacy Standard Bible And the king said to him, “Do as he has spoken and fall upon him and bury him, that you may remove from me and from my father’s house the blood which Joab shed without cause. Amplified Bible The king said to him, “Do as he has said. Strike him down and bury him, so that you may remove from me and from my father’s house the innocent blood which Joab shed. Berean Annotated Bible And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab (YHWH is father) shed. Christian Standard Bible The king said to him, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him in order to remove from me and from my father’s family the blood that Joab shed without just cause. Holman Christian Standard Bible The king said to him, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him in order to remove from me and from my father’s house the blood that Joab shed without just cause. American Standard Version And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me and from my father's house. English Revised Version And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me and from my father's house. GOD'S WORD® Translation The king answered, "Do as he said. Kill him, and bury him. You can remove the innocent blood-the blood which Joab shed-from me and my father's family. Good News Translation "Do what Joab says," Solomon answered. "Kill him and bury him. Then neither I nor any other of David's descendants will any longer be held responsible for what Joab did when he killed innocent men. International Standard Version The king replied to him, "Do just what he asked. Kill him and bury him so that you may remove from me and from my father's household the guilt that Joab shed needlessly. NET Bible The king told him, "Do as he said! Strike him down and bury him. Take away from me and from my father's family the guilt of Joab's murderous, bloody deeds. New Heart English Bible The king said to him, "Do as he has said, and fall on him, and bury him; that you may take away this day the innocent blood which Joab shed without cause, from me and from my father's house. Webster's Bible Translation And the king said to 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. World English Bible The king said to him, “Do as he has said, and fall on him, and bury him, that you may take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me and from my father’s house. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the king says to him, “Do as he has spoken, and fall on him, and you have buried him, and turned aside the causeless blood which Joab shed from off me, and from off the house of my father; Berean Literal Bible And the king said to him, “Do as he has said and strike him down and bury him, that you may take away the innocent blood that Joab shed from me and from the house of my father. Young's Literal Translation And the king saith to him, 'Do as he hath spoken, and fall upon him, and thou hast buried him, and turned aside the causeless blood which Joab shed, from off me, and from off the house of my father; Smith's Literal Translation And the king will say to him, Do as he said, and strike upon him, and bury him; and take away the bloods which Joab shed gratuitously, from me and from my father's house. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king said to him: Do as he hath said: and kill him, and bury him, and thou shalt remove the innocent blood which hath been shed by Joab, from me, and from the house of my father. Catholic Public Domain Version And the king said to him, “Do just as he has said. And put him to death, and bury him. And so shall you take away the innocent blood, which was shed by Joab, from me and from my father’s house. New American Bible The king answered him: “Do as he has said. Strike him down and bury him, and remove from me and from my father’s house the blood which Joab shed without provocation. New Revised Standard Version 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the king said to him, Do to him as he has said, and attack him and kill him, that you may take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me and from the house of my father. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the King said: “Do to him according to what he said, and attack him and kill him, and I shall take away from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Yuab shed OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the king said unto him: 'Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me and from my father's house. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king said to him, Go, and do to him as he has spoken, and kill him: and thou shalt bury him, and thou shalt remove this day the blood which he shed without cause, from me and from the house of my father. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Execution of Joab…30And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’ ” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” 31And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. 32The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.… Cross References And the king replied, 1 Kings 1:29-30 And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, / I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.” Esther 7:2 and as they drank their wine on that second day, the king asked once more, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.” 2 Chronicles 10:13 And the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders “Do just as he says. John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Genesis 41:55 When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” 2 Kings 10:5 So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.” Strike him down and bury him, 1 Samuel 26:8 Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” 2 Samuel 3:32 When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept. 1 Samuel 31:13 Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. and so remove from me and from the house of my father 2 Samuel 21:1-2 During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.) Deuteronomy 19:13 You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you. Numbers 35:33-34 Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. / Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.” the innocent blood that Joab shed. 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. 2 Samuel 3:30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.) 2 Kings 24:4 and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive. Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. Treasury of Scripture And the king said to him, Do as he has said, and fall on him, and bury him; that you may take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father. Do Exodus 21:14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die. that thou Genesis 9:5,6 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man… Numbers 35:33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Deuteronomy 19:12,13 Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die… which 1 Kings 2:5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. and from 2 Samuel 3:28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: Jump to Previous Attack Benaiah Blood Body Bury Cause Clear Commanded Death Earth Fall Family Father's Guilt House Innocent Joab Jo'ab Mayest Remove Shed StrikeJump to Next Attack Benaiah Blood Body Bury Cause Clear Commanded Death Earth Fall Family Father's Guilt House Innocent Joab Jo'ab Mayest Remove Shed Strike1 Kings 2 1. David, having given a charge to Solomon3. of Reverence 5. of Joab 7. of Barzillai 8. of Shimei 10. Solomon succeeds 12. Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag, 13. is put to death 26. Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood 28. Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain 35. Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's 36. Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death. And the king replied This phrase indicates a response from King Solomon, who is addressing a situation involving Joab, a former commander of Israel's army. Solomon's authority as king is emphasized here, as he is making a decisive judgment. This reflects the king's role as a judge and enforcer of justice, a theme prevalent throughout the books of Kings. “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. Persons / Places / Events 1. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the king of Israel at this time. He is known for his wisdom and is tasked with establishing his kingdom firmly. 2. Joab The son of Zeruiah, Joab was the commander of David's army. He is known for his military prowess but also for his acts of violence, including the murder of Abner and Amasa. 3. David The former king of Israel and father of Solomon. David's reign was marked by both triumphs and personal failures. His legacy is significant in the history of Israel. 4. Benaiah The son of Jehoiada, Benaiah is a loyal supporter of Solomon and is tasked with carrying out the king's orders, including the execution of Joab. 5. The Tabernacle The place where Joab sought refuge, holding onto the horns of the altar, seeking sanctuary from execution. Teaching Points Justice and AccountabilitySolomon's decision to execute Joab underscores the importance of justice and holding individuals accountable for their actions, even when they are powerful or have served loyally in the past. Sanctity of Innocent Life The shedding of innocent blood is a serious offense in the eyes of God. This passage reminds us of the value God places on life and the need to protect the innocent. Leadership and Difficult Decisions As a leader, Solomon had to make difficult decisions to establish his kingdom and uphold righteousness. This teaches us about the challenges of leadership and the need for wisdom and courage. Legacy and Consequences The actions of Joab had lasting consequences for David's house. This serves as a reminder that our actions can affect not only ourselves but also those around us and future generations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 2:31?2. How does 1 Kings 2:31 demonstrate the importance of obeying God's commands? 3. What does Solomon's instruction reveal about justice and leadership in 1 Kings 2:31? 4. How does 1 Kings 2:31 connect with Romans 13:4 on authority and justice? 5. How can we apply Solomon's decisiveness in 1 Kings 2:31 to our lives? 6. What lessons on accountability can we learn from 1 Kings 2:31? 7. Why did King David instruct Solomon to execute Joab in 1 Kings 2:31? 8. How does 1 Kings 2:31 reflect on justice and mercy in biblical leadership? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Kings 2:31? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 2? 11. Who was Amasa in the Bible? 12. How do we reconcile the swift punishments in 1 Kings 2:22–25 and 2:29–34 with David’s emphasis on justice elsewhere, and is there historical evidence supporting these executions? 13. How did King Saul die? (1 Samuel 31:4-6 vs. 2 Samuel 1:8-10) 14. 2 Samuel 1:1-10: How can Saul's death be attributed to both his own sword (1 Samuel 31) and an Amalekite's actions without contradiction? What Does 1 Kings 2:31 Mean And the king repliedSolomon answers Benaiah immediately, showing decisive leadership in the early days of his reign (1 Kings 2:29–30). His readiness to speak echoes David’s final charge (1 Kings 2:5–6) and keeps the promise of swift, righteous judgment (compare Joshua 1:7; Proverbs 21:3). Do just as he says Benaiah had reported Joab’s refusal to leave the altar; Solomon commands obedience to the prophetic kingly will rather than the mere symbolism of grasping the horns (Exodus 21:14). This underlines that sacred space cannot shield unrepentant murderers (Numbers 35:30–34). Strike him down and bury him • “Strike him down” matches the lawful penalty for premeditated bloodshed (Genesis 9:6; Deuteronomy 19:11–13). • “Bury him” ensures Joab’s body does not defile the land or temple precincts (Deuteronomy 21:22–23). Joab had killed Abner and Amasa in cold blood (2 Samuel 3:27; 20:10); now the sword he lived by meets him (Matthew 26:52). and so remove from me and from the house of my father The king bears covenant responsibility for national guilt (2 Samuel 21:1). Solomon seeks to lift any lingering stain from David’s dynasty so that the throne may be established in righteousness (Psalm 89:30–34; Proverbs 16:12). the innocent blood that Joab shed Innocent blood cries out for justice (Genesis 4:10). David had publicly declared his own innocence in Joab’s murders (2 Samuel 3:28–29), yet justice had been delayed. Solomon now satisfies divine law, preventing wrath on Israel (Deuteronomy 19:10). summary 1 Kings 2:31 records Solomon’s firm, lawful command to execute Joab, ending the unresolved guilt of innocent blood. By honoring his father’s charge and God’s statutes, Solomon purges the kingdom, safeguards his throne, and models the truth that righteousness exalts a nation while sin brings reproach. Verse 31. - And the king said unto him do as he hath said, and fall upon him [the law decreed (Exodus 21:14) that, if a man had slain his neighbour with guile, he should be taken from the altar to die. Possibly the desperate character of Joab made literal compliance with this command well nigh impossible. The attempt to drag him from his place of refuge might have led to a bloody encounter. And the king evidently felt that Joab's crimes justified exceptional measures], and bury him [why this injunction? Possibly because the spirit of Deuteronomy 21:23 seemed to Solomon to require it. Both Bahr and Keil think it was that Joab's services to the kingdom might be requited with an honourable sepulture. Was it not rather that the corpse might be removed with all possible haste from the sanctuary, which it defiled, and hidden from view, as one accursed of God, in the earth? So Bishop Hall: "He sends Benaiah to take away the offender both from God and men, from the altar and the world"]; that thou mayest take away [LXX. "today," σήμερον] the innocent blood [for the construction cf. 1 Samuel 25:31; Nehemiah 2:12; and Ewald, 287d. Innocent blood, i.e., blood not shed in war, or forfeited to justice, rested upon the community, or the authorities responsible for its punishment (Numbers 35:33; Deuteronomy 19:10, 13; Deuteronomy 21:9. Cf. Genesis 4:10) until satisfaction was made. See on ver. 5], which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father. [Heb. "from upon me." Solomon evidently believed that the guilt of blood was upon him and his house so long as Abner's and Amasa's blood remained unavenged ("The blood that is not required from the murderer will be required from the magistrate." Henry), and that he and his seed might have to answer for it, as Saul's seed had done (2 Samuel 21:1, 9). This is one of the many considerations which show that both David and Solomon were actuated not by "cold-blooded vengeance" or "long-cherished resentment" (Stanley), but by a sense of duty. In fact, Jewish law imperatively demanded the death of Joab, and to spare him was to violate all law, and to imperil the throne and the people. "Only a superficial observer," says Ewald, "can here reproach Solomon with needless severity."]Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And the kingהַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king replied, וַיֹּ֧אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Do עֲשֵׂה֙ (‘ă·śêh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make just as כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that he says. דִּבֶּ֔ר (dib·ber) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue Strike him down וּפְגַע־ (ū·p̄ə·ḡa‘-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6293: To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity and bury him, וּקְבַרְתּ֑וֹ (ū·qə·ḇar·tōw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 6912: To inter and so remove וַהֲסִירֹ֣תָ ׀ (wa·hă·sî·rō·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5493: To turn aside from me מֵעָלַ֕י (mê·‘ā·lay) Preposition-m | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against and from וּמֵעַ֖ל (ū·mê·‘al) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the house בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of my father אָבִֽי׃ (’ā·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1: Father the innocent חִנָּ֗ם (ḥin·nām) Adverb Strong's 2600: Gratis, devoid of cost, reason, advantage blood דְּמֵ֣י (də·mê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed that אֲשֶׁר֙ (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that Joab יוֹאָ֔ב (yō·w·’āḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites shed. שָׁפַ֣ךְ (šā·p̄aḵ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out Links 1 Kings 2:31 NIV1 Kings 2:31 NLT 1 Kings 2:31 ESV 1 Kings 2:31 NASB 1 Kings 2:31 KJV 1 Kings 2:31 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 2:31 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 2:31 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 2:31 French Bible 1 Kings 2:31 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 2:31 The king said to him Do as (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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