1 Kings 2:31

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto him, Do {H6213} as he hath said {H1696}, and fall {H6293} upon him, and bury {H6912} him; that thou mayest take away {H5493} the innocent {H2600} blood {H1818}, which Joab {H3097} shed {H8210}, from me, and from the house {H1004} of my father {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king answered him, "Do what he said - strike him down, and bury him. In this way you will take away from me and my father's family the blood which Yo'av shed for no reason.

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Solomon's command in 1 Kings 2:31 marks a pivotal moment in the consolidation of his reign, establishing it upon principles of divine justice and moral purity. By ordering the execution of Joab, his father David's former military commander, Solomon explicitly seeks to remove the defilement of "innocent blood" from himself and the royal house. This decisive act is presented not merely as political expediency but as a necessary spiritual cleansing, fulfilling a divine mandate to address unpunished atrocities and ensure the integrity and blessing of the kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse represents the culmination of Solomon's initial, decisive actions to secure his newly inherited throne following the death of King David. David's dying instructions to Solomon included specific charges regarding Joab, who had committed egregious and treacherous murders, notably of Abner ([2 Samuel 3:27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Kills Abner"]) and Amasa ([2 Samuel 20:10 "2 Samuel 20:10 - Joab Kills Amasa"]). Furthermore, Joab had recently demonstrated disloyalty by supporting Adonijah's failed attempt to usurp the throne ([1 Kings 1:7 "1 Kings 1:7 - Adonijah's Rebellion"]). Fearing Solomon's retribution, Joab had fled to the tabernacle and grasped the horns of the altar, seeking traditional asylum ([1 Kings 2:28 "1 Kings 2:28 - Joab Flees to the Altar"]). Solomon's response, delivered through Benaiah, asserts that the altar's sanctuary does not extend to those guilty of premeditated murder, particularly the shedding of innocent blood. This command powerfully demonstrates Solomon's unwavering resolve to execute justice and fulfill David's final wish, thereby legitimizing his rule and purifying the kingdom from past defilement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the shedding of innocent blood was considered a profoundly grave offense that defiled the land and brought collective guilt upon the community and, especially, the ruling house. Mosaic Law stipulated that such bloodguilt required expiation, typically through the execution of the perpetrator, to cleanse the land and avert divine judgment (e.g., [Numbers 35:33-34 "Numbers 35:33-34 - Land Defiled by Bloodshed"] and [Deuteronomy 21:1-9](/deuteronomy/21 "Deuteronomy 21 - Atonement for Unsolved Murder")). While the altar indeed provided a temporary sanctuary for those who had committed unintentional homicide, it explicitly did not protect those guilty of premeditated murder ([Exodus 21:14 "Exodus 21:14 - No Altar Asylum for Premeditated Murder"]). Solomon's actions precisely reflect this established legal and theological understanding, asserting the supremacy of divine justice over ritual asylum for capital offenses. His swift consolidation of power also aligns with broader ancient Near Eastern practices where new monarchs often eliminated potential rivals and those disloyal to ensure stability and unchallenged authority.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes interwoven within this verse and the broader [chapter](/1_kings/2 "1 Kings 2 - Solomon Consolidates Power") are **Justice and Accountability**, as Solomon meticulously establishes his reign on a foundation of righteous judgment, ensuring that even powerful and entrenched figures are held responsible for their crimes. This powerfully underscores the **Consequences of Bloodguilt**, emphasizing that the unpunished shedding of innocent blood profoundly defiles the land and brings a curse upon the royal house, necessitating decisive action for spiritual cleansing. Solomon's act is also framed as a **Divine Mandate and Cleansing**, fulfilling a spiritual principle to remove lingering guilt and avert potential divine judgment from David's lineage. This purification is presented as absolutely essential for the legitimacy and ultimate blessing of Solomon's reign, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to God's law and the moral order of the kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **innocent (Hebrew, _chinnâm'_):** (H2600) This word signifies something done "without cause," "for nothing," or "gratuitously." In the context of "innocent blood," it emphasizes the causeless, unprovoked, and unjust nature of Joab's murders. It highlights that the victims were not guilty of a capital crime deserving of death, nor were their deaths a result of lawful warfare, but rather acts of treacherous and unwarranted violence.
* **blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** (H1818) This term refers to the vital fluid, often associated with life itself. When shed, especially "innocent blood," it carries profound theological weight, representing a violation of the sanctity of life. In biblical thought, the shedding of blood pollutes the land and demands expiation, signifying a moral stain and a call for divine justice.
* **take away (Hebrew, _çûyr'_):** (H5493) This verb means "to turn off," "to remove," "to depart," or "to put away." In this specific context, Solomon's command to "take away" the innocent blood signifies an act of cleansing, expiation, or purification. It is not merely about punishing Joab, but about actively removing the moral stain and potential divine judgment that Joab's unpunished deeds had brought upon the royal house of David. This action aims to restore spiritual and legal purity to the kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him;":** Solomon's direct and unequivocal command to Benaiah, his chief captain, underscores the legal and moral imperative of Joab's execution. "Do as he hath said" refers to the prior instruction to kill Joab even while he clung to the altar, confirming that the altar's sanctuary does not extend to those guilty of premeditated murder. The phrase "fall upon him" is a common euphemism for carrying out an execution, while "bury him" indicates that, despite the capital nature of the crime, a proper, albeit perhaps swift, burial should be afforded, showing a measure of order and finality to the act.
* **"that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.":** This clause provides the profound theological and legal motivation behind Solomon's command. The execution is not merely an act of political vengeance or consolidation of power, but a divinely mandated imperative. Solomon understood that Joab's unpunished shedding of innocent blood (specifically the murders of Abner and Amasa) had brought a defilement or curse upon David's house. By executing Joab, Solomon aims to "take away" this bloodguilt, thereby purifying himself and his lineage from the moral stain and potential divine retribution, legitimizing his reign, and ensuring God's continued blessing upon his kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to amplify its significance and convey its weighty message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "innocent blood" representing not merely physical death but a profound spiritual defilement and moral culpability that contaminates the land and the royal lineage. The act of "taking away" this blood symbolizes a spiritual cleansing and the restoration of divine justice. The **Altar** itself serves as a powerful symbol of sanctuary and divine presence, but its inability to protect Joab highlights the absolute and unyielding nature of God's justice regarding premeditated murder, demonstrating that certain sins cannot be atoned for by ritualistic asylum alone. There is also a subtle **Irony** in Joab, the ruthless military commander who shed so much blood throughout his career, ultimately meeting his end due to the very principle of bloodguilt he so flagrantly disregarded. This narrative also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting the tone for Solomon's reign as one characterized by wisdom, decisive judgment, and a steadfast commitment to upholding divine law and justice within the kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The concept of bloodguilt and its necessary removal is a pervasive and profound theme throughout the Old Testament, underscoring God's unwavering demand for justice and the sanctity of human life, which is created in His divine image. Solomon's decisive action in 1 Kings 2:31 serves as a vivid and stark demonstration of the principle that unpunished sin, particularly the heinous crime of murder, defiles the land and brings a curse upon those associated with it. This act of expiation is presented as absolutely crucial for the spiritual well-being of the nation and the legitimacy of its leadership, reflecting God's righteous character and His expectation that His people uphold justice and moral order. It powerfully highlights that true peace, stability, and divine blessing are profoundly contingent upon addressing wrongdoing and diligently seeking moral purity, both individually and corporately, within the covenant community.

* [Numbers 35:33-34](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33-34 - Land Defiled by Bloodshed")
* [Deuteronomy 19:10](/deuteronomy/19-10 "Deuteronomy 19:10 - Avoiding Bloodguilt")
* [Psalm 51:14](/psalms/51-14 "Psalm 51:14 - Deliverance from Bloodguilt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's decisive action to remove the "innocent blood" from his house serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that unaddressed sin, especially grave injustices and moral failings, can have far-reaching and lingering consequences, impacting not just individuals but entire communities, institutions, and even generations. For leaders in any sphere—whether governmental, corporate, or ecclesiastical—this passage underscores the profound and solemn responsibility to uphold justice, ensure accountability, and courageously address corruption or wrongdoing, even when it involves powerful or influential figures who may seem untouchable. True leadership, as exemplified by Solomon here, requires immense moral courage to confront and rectify past wrongs for the health, integrity, and spiritual vitality of the collective. For believers today, it highlights the profound seriousness of sin in God's eyes, particularly those actions that violate the sanctity of human life or cause deep harm. While we are no longer under the specific judicial laws of ancient Israel, the spiritual principle remains: unconfessed and unrepented sin creates spiritual defilement that hinders our relationship with God and others. This passage calls us to a deep and honest self-examination, to identify any unaddressed "bloodguilt" in our own lives—whether literal or metaphorical, through our actions, inactions, or complicity—and to seek God's cleansing and forgiveness through sincere repentance and faith in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "bloodguilt" in this passage challenge our contemporary understanding of personal and corporate responsibility for sin and injustice?**
* **In what specific ways might unaddressed injustices or moral failings in our own lives, families, or communities hinder spiritual blessing or impede true progress?**
* **What does Solomon's willingness to confront and execute a powerful and entrenched figure like Joab teach us about the essential nature of true leadership and accountability?**
* **How does this passage prompt us to deeply consider and uphold the sanctity of human life in all its forms and stages today?**

### FAQ
**Why couldn't Joab find asylum at the altar?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, the altar served as a place of temporary sanctuary for those who had committed unintentional homicide, allowing them to await a fair trial and potentially flee to a city of refuge ([Exodus 21:13 "Exodus 21:13 - Unintentional Homicide and the Altar"]). However, this right of asylum explicitly did not extend to those guilty of premeditated murder. [Exodus 21:14 "Exodus 21:14 - No Altar Asylum for Premeditated Murder"] states, "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." Joab's murders of Abner ([2 Samuel 3:27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Kills Abner"]) and Amasa ([2 Samuel 20:10 "2 Samuel 20:10 - Joab Kills Amasa"]) were clearly treacherous and premeditated acts, not accidental, thus unequivocally disqualifying him from altar asylum under divine law. Solomon's command upheld this critical legal and theological distinction.

**What does "innocent blood" mean in this context, and why was its removal so important?**

Answer: "Innocent blood" (Hebrew: *dam naqi*) refers to the blood of someone murdered unjustly and without legitimate cause. It signifies a profound violation of God's command against murder and the inherent sanctity of human life, which is created in His image. Its shedding was believed to deeply defile the land and bring a curse or collective guilt upon the community or, as in this case, upon the royal house ([Numbers 35:33-34 "Numbers 35:33-34 - Land Defiled by Bloodshed"]). For Solomon, removing this bloodguilt was of paramount importance because it was perceived as a moral and spiritual stain that could invite severe divine judgment upon his reign and the entire house of David. By executing Joab, Solomon was not merely punishing a disloyal general but performing a crucial act of spiritual cleansing, ensuring the purity, legitimacy, and divine blessing of his kingdom.

**Was Solomon's action against Joab just, especially given Joab's past service to David?**

Answer: From the perspective of biblical law and the narrative presented in [1 Kings 2 "1 Kings 2 - Solomon Consolidates Power"], Solomon's action was meticulously framed as a righteous and necessary act of justice. King David himself, on his deathbed, had explicitly instructed Solomon to deal with Joab, acknowledging Joab's past treachery and the bloodguilt he had incurred ([1 Kings 2:5-6](/1_kings/2 "1 Kings 2:5-6 - David's Charge to Solomon Regarding Joab")). While Joab had indeed served David faithfully and courageously in numerous military campaigns, his premeditated murders of Abner and Amasa, along with his recent support for Adonijah's attempted rebellion, constituted capital offenses that, under Mosaic Law, demanded expiation. Solomon's decision, therefore, was presented as upholding divine justice and purifying the kingdom from the defilement of unpunished innocent blood, rather than being merely a political vendetta or an act of personal revenge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound and urgent need to "take away the innocent blood" from the house of David, as vividly demonstrated in Solomon's decisive actions, finds its ultimate, perfect, and eternally redemptive fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Solomon's act was a necessary earthly cleansing to remove the defilement of human bloodshed and secure a temporal kingdom, it powerfully foreshadowed a deeper, spiritual cleansing that only the Messiah could accomplish. Humanity collectively bears the "bloodguilt" of sin, a pervasive stain that defiles not just the land but the very soul, leading inevitably to spiritual death and separation from God. Jesus, the true and greater [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus"), is the only one who could truly and eternally "take away" this ultimate innocent blood – not by shedding the blood of another, but by offering His own perfectly innocent and spotless blood. He is the divine [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrificial death on the cross cleanses us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Jesus' Blood"]). Through His unparalleled atoning work, the ultimate "bloodguilt" of humanity is removed, not from a physical house or earthly lineage, but from the hearts and consciences of all who believe, ushering in a new covenant of grace and true reconciliation with God ([Hebrews 9:14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood"]). He establishes a kingdom founded not on the execution of the guilty, but on the boundless grace that justifies the ungodly, offering eternal life and perfect justice through the redemptive power of His shed blood ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5 "Romans 5:8 - Justification by His Blood")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 21:8

Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

Deuteronomy 21:9

So shalt thou put away the [guilt of] innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.

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.

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.

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:

Deuteronomy 19:12

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.

Deuteronomy 19:13

Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away [the guilt of] innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.