1 Kings 2:6

KJV

Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.

KJV (with Strong's)

Do {H6213} therefore according to thy wisdom {H2451}, and let not his hoar head {H7872} go down {H3381} to the grave {H7585} in peace {H7965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, act according to your wisdom; don't let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.

Berean Standard Bible

So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

American Standard Version

Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to Sheol in peace.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King David, in his final charge to his son Solomon, issues a solemn command regarding Joab, his long-serving but notoriously violent and disloyal army commander. This instruction, delivered from David's deathbed, is not merely a personal vendetta but a strategic directive for Solomon to establish the moral and political integrity of his nascent reign by administering justice for Joab's past transgressions, ensuring that the veteran general does not die a peaceful, unpunished death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial part of David's deathbed instructions to Solomon, recorded in [1 Kings 2:1-9](/1_kings/2-1 "1 Kings 2:1-9 - David's Final Charge to Solomon"). David begins by exhorting Solomon to walk in God's ways and keep His statutes ([1 Kings 2:3](/1_kings/2-3 "1 Kings 2:3 - David's Exhortation to Solomon")), promising divine faithfulness to his dynasty. He then transitions to specific individuals, advising Solomon on how to handle them. Joab is presented as a figure who must face justice for his past deeds, contrasting sharply with David's instruction to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai ([1 Kings 2:7](/1_kings/2-7 "1 Kings 2:7 - Kindness to Barzillai's Sons")), and his warning about Shimei ([1 Kings 2:8-9](/1_kings/2-8 "1 Kings 2:8-9 - Dealing with Shimei")). This particular charge concerning Joab highlights the complex and often brutal realities of ancient Near Eastern kingship and the necessity of consolidating power through decisive action, even against powerful figures.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Joab was David's nephew and the commander of his army for decades, instrumental in David's military successes. However, he was also a ruthless and often insubordinate figure who committed acts that David himself condemned. Specifically, Joab murdered Abner, the commander of Saul's army, after David had made a covenant with him ([2 Samuel 3:27](/2_samuel/3-27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Murders Abner")), and later treacherously murdered Amasa, David's newly appointed army commander ([2 Samuel 20:10](/2_samuel/20-10 "2 Samuel 20:10 - Joab Murders Amasa")). These acts were considered bloodguilt, defiling the land and requiring retribution. Furthermore, Joab had recently sided with Adonijah in his attempt to usurp the throne from Solomon ([1 Kings 1:7](/1_kings/1-7 "1 Kings 1:7 - Joab Supports Adonijah")), demonstrating a profound disloyalty to David's chosen successor. David, perhaps due to his own advanced age, political constraints, or Joab's immense power base, had been unable to bring Joab to justice during his lifetime, passing this weighty responsibility to Solomon.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme in this verse is the **necessity of administering justice and accountability**, particularly for those in positions of power who have committed grave wrongs. David's charge underscores the **king's duty** to uphold law and order, ensuring that the kingdom is founded on righteousness rather than unpunished violence or disloyalty. It highlights the **consequences of sin**, demonstrating that even long-past transgressions, if left unaddressed, can undermine the moral fabric and stability of a nation. This instruction also subtly reveals **David's own imperfection and regret**, as he entrusts Solomon with a task he himself could not or would not complete, emphasizing the need for decisive and uncompromised leadership. Finally, David's directive to "do therefore according to thy wisdom" foreshadows and calls upon **Solomon's renowned wisdom** ([1 Kings 3:9](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom")), indicating that this was not a simple act of vengeance but a complex, strategic decision requiring divine discernment for the good of the kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokhmah'_):** This term refers not merely to intellectual knowledge but to practical skill, discernment, and the ability to make sound judgments in governing and living. David is not asking Solomon to act impulsively or vengefully, but to apply his God-given sagacity to a complex political and moral situation, ensuring that justice is meted out in a manner that secures the kingdom's stability and righteousness.
* **Hoar head (Hebrew, _seybah'_):** Literally meaning "gray hair" or "old age." This phrase emphasizes Joab's advanced years. The command "let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace" is a stark reversal of the cultural ideal of an elder dying peacefully and honorably after a full life. It signifies that despite his age, Joab's violent and disloyal actions demand a violent and dishonorable end.
* **In peace (Hebrew, _b'shalom'_):** The Hebrew word _shalom_ encompasses much more than just the absence of conflict; it signifies completeness, wholeness, well-being, and tranquility. To "go down to the grave in peace" would imply a blessed, undisturbed, and righteous end. David's command is the antithesis of this, demanding that Joab's death be marked by the consequences of his unrighteous deeds, denying him the spiritual and physical tranquility of a peaceful passing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Do therefore according to thy wisdom":** This is a direct command for Solomon to act decisively and intelligently. David is not prescribing the exact method or timing of Joab's demise, but rather entrusting Solomon with the discernment to execute justice in a way that is both effective for securing the throne and righteous in God's eyes. It implies a calculated, strategic move rather than an emotional outburst.
* **"and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace":** This is a powerful, idiomatic expression demanding that Joab not be permitted to die a natural, tranquil death unpunished for his crimes. Despite Joab's old age and his long service to David, his past murders and recent treason against Solomon's succession were unatoned for. David charges Solomon to ensure that Joab faces the full consequences of his violent and disloyal actions before his life ends, thereby cleansing the kingdom of bloodguilt and solidifying Solomon's reign on a foundation of justice.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Idiom**, specifically the phrase "let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace." This is a well-understood ancient Near Eastern expression that signifies denying someone a tranquil, honorable, and natural death, instead implying a violent or premature end due to unpunished transgressions. There is also an element of **Euphemism**, as David's command to not let Joab die "in peace" is a veiled but clear directive for Solomon to execute him. Furthermore, a subtle **Irony** is present: Joab, a man who lived by the sword and committed numerous acts of violence and treachery, is to be denied the very peace and tranquil end that he deprived others of. This serves as a grim reflection of the principle that "he who lives by the sword will die by the sword."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly harsh, underscores profound theological principles concerning divine justice and human responsibility. It highlights that God is a God of justice who requires accountability for actions, especially those involving bloodshed and betrayal. While David himself was a man of war and imperfect, his final charge to Solomon reflects an understanding that true peace and stability in a kingdom are predicated upon the righteous administration of justice, even when it is difficult or involves powerful figures. The unpunished shedding of innocent blood was considered a defilement of the land, demanding retribution to restore moral order. Solomon's action, therefore, is not merely personal vengeance but a necessary act to establish his reign on a foundation of righteousness and to remove a dangerous, disloyal element that threatened the divinely ordained succession.

* [Deuteronomy 19:13](/deuteronomy/19-13 "Deuteronomy 19:13 - No Pity for Murderers")
* [Psalm 58:11](/psalms/58-11 "Psalm 58:11 - The Righteous Rejoice in Justice")
* [Romans 13:4](/romans/13-4 "Romans 13:4 - The Authority of the Governing Rulers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command in 1 Kings 2:6, though rooted in the specific context of ancient Israelite kingship and the need for political stability, holds timeless lessons about justice, accountability, and leadership. It reminds us that unaddressed wrongs can have lasting consequences, and true societal peace often requires difficult decisions to uphold righteousness. While believers are called to personal forgiveness and reconciliation, this passage also speaks to the role of governing authorities in administering justice, ensuring that those who commit grave offenses are held accountable, regardless of their status or past achievements. It challenges us to consider what it means to establish a just order in our own spheres of influence, whether in families, communities, or nations, and to seek discernment ("wisdom") in navigating complex situations where difficult choices must be made for the greater good and for the sake of integrity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we balance the biblical call for personal forgiveness with the societal need for justice and accountability?**
* **What responsibilities do leaders (in any sphere) have to address past wrongs and ensure a foundation of righteousness?**
* **In what ways might unaddressed "bloodguilt" or injustice in our own lives or communities hinder true peace and flourishing?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't David deal with Joab himself during his reign?**

Answer: David's inability to deal with Joab himself is a complex issue, likely stemming from a combination of factors. Joab was incredibly powerful and popular within the army, having served as David's loyal, albeit ruthless, commander for decades. He had a strong power base and was often indispensable in military campaigns. David himself acknowledged Joab's power and the difficulty of controlling him (e.g., [2 Samuel 3:39](/2_samuel/3-39 "2 Samuel 3:39 - David's Lament Over Abner's Death")). Furthermore, David may have been politically constrained, fearing that any direct action against Joab could lead to a military revolt or destabilize his kingdom. By entrusting this task to Solomon, David was not only ensuring that justice was finally served but also giving Solomon a crucial opportunity to assert his authority and consolidate his new reign by decisively removing a potential threat and a symbol of unpunished injustice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 2:6 speaks of an earthly king administering justice through the sword, it ultimately points to the greater King, Jesus Christ, who establishes perfect justice and brings true peace. Earthly kings like David and Solomon, despite their wisdom and authority, were imperfect and could only offer partial justice, often through violent means. Joab's refusal to "go down to the grave in peace" foreshadows the ultimate judgment against all who reject God's rule and persist in unrighteousness. In Christ, we see the perfect fulfillment of divine justice: He is the righteous Judge who will ultimately bring every deed into account ([Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - Christ the Righteous Judge")). Yet, unlike earthly kings who execute justice upon others, Christ uniquely bore the full weight of God's justice for humanity's sin upon Himself, allowing those who trust in Him to "go down to the grave in peace" and even rise to eternal life ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed in Christ")). He is the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace")) who establishes His kingdom not through the violence of earthly retribution, but through His atoning sacrifice and the transforming power of His Spirit, bringing a peace that transcends human understanding and a justice that perfectly reconciles God and humanity.

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

1 Kings 2:9

Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou [art] a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

Isaiah 48:22

[There is] no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

Proverbs 28:17

¶ A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Isaiah 57:21

[There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Proverbs 20:26

¶ A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

Psalms 37:37

Mark the perfect [man], and behold the upright: for the end of [that] man [is] peace.

Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.