King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When the news came to Yo'av, he fled to the tent of ADONAI and took hold of the horns of the altar; for Yo'av had given his support to Adoniyah, even though he had not supported Avshalom.
Berean Standard Bible:
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar.
American Standard Version:
And the tidings came to Joab; for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the Tent of Jehovah, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then tidings{H8052} came{H935} to Joab{H3097}: for Joab{H3097} had turned{H5186} after{H310} Adonijah{H138}, though he turned{H5186} not after{H310} Absalom{H53}. And Joab{H3097} fled{H5127} unto the tabernacle{H168} of the LORD{H3068}, and caught hold{H2388} on the horns{H7161} of the altar{H4196}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Kings 1:50
- And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
1 Kings 1:7
- And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped [him].
2 Samuel 18:2
- And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
Exodus 27:2
- And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
Deuteronomy 32:35
- To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
2 Samuel 17:25
- And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa [was] a man's son, whose name [was] Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
2 Samuel 18:14
- Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he [was] yet alive in the midst of the oak.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Kings 2:28
1 Kings 2:28 is a verse set within the broader context of the transition of power in Israel from King David to his son, Solomon. The verse specifically addresses the actions of Joab, who had been David's long-time military commander and a central figure in the previous political intrigues and power struggles.
The historical context is the end of David's reign, as he is nearing death. Adonijah, one of David's sons, has attempted to claim the throne, but Solomon, another of David's sons, is ultimately anointed as the rightful king with the support of the prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. Joab had supported Adonijah's claim to the throne, which is noted in the verse as turning after Adonijah. This is contrasted with Joab's lack of support for Absalom, another of David's sons, who had previously led a rebellion against his father. Joab's loyalty to Adonijah over Solomon is significant because it shows his continued involvement in the royal family's power dynamics and his willingness to back a candidate other than the one favored by the Prophet Nathan and, ultimately, David himself.
Upon hearing that his life might be in danger due to his allegiance to the failed usurper Adonijah, Joab flees to the tabernacle of the LORD and grasps the horns of the altar. This act is symbolic of seeking asylum and divine protection, as the altar was considered a sacred place of refuge in ancient Israelite society. The horns of the altar were projections at its four corners, and grasping them was a recognized way of claiming sanctuary.
The themes present in this verse include the complexity of loyalty, the danger of political instability during a royal succession, and the interplay between religious practice and political power. Joab's flight to the tabernacle highlights the intersection of the sacred and the profane, as even in the midst of political maneuvering, the sanctity of the altar is respected. It also underscores the theme of divine justice and the limits of human power, as Joab, a man accustomed to wielding military might, finds himself seeking protection from the divine. The verse sets the stage for the resolution of Joab's fate, which is determined by Solomon's decision in the following verses, reflecting the new king's assertion of authority and the finality of the transition of power.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8052
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁמוּעָה
Transliteration: shᵉmûwʻâh
Pronunciation: sehm-oo-aw'
Description: feminine passive participle of שָׁמֵם; something heard, i.e. an announcement; bruit, doctrine, fame, mentioned, news, report, rumor, tidings. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H3097
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹאָב
Transliteration: Yôwʼâb
Pronunciation: yo-awb'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and אָב; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites; Joab. - Strong's Number: H5186
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטָה
Transliteration: nâṭâh
Pronunciation: naw-taw'
Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - Strong's Number: H138
There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲדֹנִיָּה
Transliteration: ʼĂdônîyâh
Pronunciation: ad-o-nee-yaw'
Description: original (prolonged) אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ ; from אָדוֹן and יָהּ; lord (i.e. worshipper) of Jah; Adonijah, the name of three Israelites; Adonijah. - Strong's Number: H53
There are 2955 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲבִישָׁלוֹם
Transliteration: ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
Pronunciation: ab-ee-shaw-lome'
Description: or (shortened) אַבְשָׁלוֹם ; from אָב and שָׁלוֹם; father of peace (i.e. friendly); Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite; Abishalom, Absalom. - Strong's Number: H5127
There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נוּס
Transliteration: nûwç
Pronunciation: noos
Description: a primitive root; to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver); [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. - Strong's Number: H168
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹהֶל
Transliteration: ʼôhel
Pronunciation: o'-hel
Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H2388
There are 266 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָזַק
Transliteration: châzaq
Pronunciation: khaw-zak'
Description: a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. - Strong's Number: H7161
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶרֶן
Transliteration: qeren
Pronunciation: keh'-ren
Description: from קָרַן; a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power; [idiom] hill, horn. - Strong's Number: H4196
There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
Transliteration: mizbêach
Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar.