The 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. The LORD will bringThis phrase emphasizes the divine justice and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness. The phrase underscores the belief that God is the ultimate judge who enacts justice according to His righteous standards. It reflects the biblical principle that God will hold individuals accountable for their actions. his blood upon his own head
This expression is a Hebrew idiom indicating personal responsibility and culpability. The imagery of blood signifies life and guilt, and the phrase suggests that the consequences of one's actions will return upon oneself. It is a reminder of the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where one's deeds, especially those of violence or injustice, will ultimately lead to personal judgment. because he struck down
The act of striking down refers to murder or unlawful killing. In the historical context, this phrase highlights the gravity of Joab's actions against Abner and Amasa. The Hebrew root "nakah" implies a deliberate and violent act, emphasizing the premeditated nature of Joab's crimes, which were not sanctioned by God or King David. two men more righteous and better than he
This comparison underscores the moral and ethical standing of Abner and Amasa in contrast to Joab. The Hebrew word for "righteous" (tsaddiq) conveys a sense of justice and adherence to God's laws. The phrase suggests that Abner and Amasa were innocent and honorable, making Joab's actions even more reprehensible. Abner son of Ner, the commander of Israel’s army
Abner was a significant military leader and a cousin to King Saul. His role as the commander of Israel's army highlights his importance in the kingdom. Historically, Abner's death was a pivotal moment in the power struggles following Saul's death, and his murder by Joab was a politically motivated act that disrupted the unity of Israel. and Amasa son of Jether, the commander of Judah’s army
Amasa, appointed by David as commander of Judah's army, was also a key figure in the political landscape. His murder by Joab was an act of betrayal and ambition, as Joab sought to eliminate rivals and consolidate his power. The historical context reveals the turbulent nature of David's reign and the internal conflicts that plagued his kingdom. Though my father David was unaware of it
This phrase indicates David's innocence and lack of complicity in Joab's actions. It highlights the theme of justice and the importance of integrity in leadership. David's unawareness serves to separate his righteous rule from the treachery of Joab, reinforcing the idea that true justice is aligned with God's will, not human schemes. Joab killed them
Joab's actions are presented as a violation of divine and royal authority. The Hebrew verb "harag" for "killed" conveys a sense of unlawful killing, emphasizing the moral and legal transgression. Joab's murders were acts of personal vendetta and ambition, contrasting with the biblical ideal of justice and righteousness upheld by God and His anointed king. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel, son of David, who is speaking in this verse. He is executing justice as part of his consolidation of power. 2. JoabThe nephew of King David and the commander of his army, who is being held accountable for the murders of Abner and Amasa. 3. Abner son of NerThe commander of Israel’s army under King Saul, who was murdered by Joab despite seeking peace with David. 4. Amasa son of JetherThe commander of Judah’s army, appointed by David, who was also killed by Joab. 5. DavidThe former king of Israel, father of Solomon, who was unaware of Joab's treacherous actions. Teaching Points Justice and AccountabilitySolomon's actions demonstrate the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when they have abused power. The Consequences of SinJoab's actions remind us that sin has consequences, and God's justice will ultimately prevail. Leadership and IntegrityLeaders must act with integrity and ensure justice is served, even when it involves difficult decisions. God's Sovereignty in JusticeThe verse highlights that God is the ultimate judge, and His justice will be fulfilled in His timing. The Importance of RighteousnessThe reference to Abner and Amasa as "more righteous and better" underscores the value God places on righteousness and integrity. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's decision to hold Joab accountable reflect the biblical principle of justice? 2. In what ways can we see the consequences of Joab's actions as a warning for our own lives? 3. How does the account of Joab, Abner, and Amasa challenge us to consider the importance of integrity in leadership? 4. What does this passage teach us about God's role in enacting justice, and how can we apply this understanding to situations of injustice today? 5. How can we strive to be "more righteous and better" in our own lives, as Abner and Amasa were described, and what other scriptures support this pursuit? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 3:27This passage details the murder of Abner by Joab, providing context for Solomon's judgment. 2 Samuel 20:10This verse describes the murder of Amasa by Joab, further illustrating Joab's pattern of violence. Genesis 9:6This verse establishes the principle of justice for murder, which underpins Solomon's actions. Romans 12:19This New Testament verse speaks to the principle of leaving vengeance to God, which Solomon is enacting through divine justice. People Abiathar, Abishag, Abner, Absalom, Achish, Adonijah, Amasa, Anathoth, Barzillai, Bathsheba, Benaiah, David, Eli, Gera, Haggith, Jehoiada, Jether, Joab, Maacah, Maachah, Ner, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Anathoth, Bahurim, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kidron, Mahanaim, ShilohTopics Abner, Amasa, Ama'sa, Army, Attack, Attacked, Better, Blood, Bloody, Bring, Captain, Commander, David, David's, Deeds, Didn't, Fallen, Father's, Fell, Host, Israel's, Jether, Judah, Judah's, Killed, Ner, Putting, Requite, Return, Righteous, Shed, Slayeth, Slew, Sword, Thereof, Upright, WitDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:28-33 7318 blood, symbol of guilt 1 Kings 2:28-34 7315 blood, basis of life 1 Kings 2:31-32 5493 retribution 1 Kings 2:31-33 5340 house
8278 innocence, teaching on 1 Kings 2:31-34 5969 treachery Library The Horns of the Altar
WE MUST tell you the story. Solomon was to be the king after David, but his elder brother, Adonijah, was preferred by Joab, the captain of the host, and by Abiathar, the priest; and, therefore, they got together, and tried to steal a march upon dying David, and set up Adonijah. They utterly failed in this; and when Solomn came to the throne Adonijah was afraid for his life, and fled to the horns of the altar at the tabernacle for shelter. Solomn permitted him to find sanctuary there, and forgave …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at the Right Hand of the Father...
11. "He ascended into heaven:" believe. "He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:" believe. By sitting, understand dwelling: as [in Latin] we say of any person, "In that country he dwelt (sedit) three years." The Scripture also has that expression, that such an one dwelt (sedisse) in a city for such a time. [1791] Not meaning that he sat and never rose up? On this account the dwellings of men are called seats (sedes). [1792] Where people are seated (in this sense), are they always sitting? Is …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds Whether Curiosity Can be About Intellective Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that curiosity cannot be about intellective knowledge. Because, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ii, 6), there can be no mean and extremes in things which are essentially good. Now intellective knowledge is essentially good: because man's perfection would seem to consist in his intellect being reduced from potentiality to act, and this is done by the knowledge of truth. For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv) that "the good of the human soul is to be in accordance with reason," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Angels have Bodies Naturally United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that angels have bodies naturally united to them. For Origen says (Peri Archon i): "It is God's attribute alone---that is, it belongs to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, as a property of nature, that He is understood to exist without any material substance and without any companionship of corporeal addition." Bernard likewise says (Hom. vi. super Cant.): "Let us assign incorporeity to God alone even as we do immortality, whose nature alone, neither for its own sake …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Natural Law Can be Changed?
Objection 1: It would seem that the natural law can be changed. Because on Ecclus. 17:9, "He gave them instructions, and the law of life," the gloss says: "He wished the law of the letter to be written, in order to correct the law of nature." But that which is corrected is changed. Therefore the natural law can be changed. Objection 2: Further, the slaying of the innocent, adultery, and theft are against the natural law. But we find these things changed by God: as when God commanded Abraham to slay …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
Text: 1 Peter 3, 8-15. 8 Finally, be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: 11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 2:32 NIV1 Kings 2:32 NLT1 Kings 2:32 ESV1 Kings 2:32 NASB1 Kings 2:32 KJV
1 Kings 2:32 Commentaries
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