1 Kings 2:28

“Then tidings came to Joab, etc.] Of the death of Adonijah, and the deposition of Abiathar: for Joab had turned after Adonijah; publicly appeared at his feast, when he was saluted king by him, and others, and privately gave him advice in the affair of Abishag: though he turned not after Absalom; did not join with him in his rebellion, but faithfully adhered to David; and yet both in his lifetime, and after his death, acted the traitorous part in favour of Adonijah: Ben Gersom gives these words a different sense, as if he was blameworthy in both cases; that he turned after Adonijah to make him king, without consulting David, and having his consent; and he did not turn after Absalom, to deliver…”

“JOAB SLAIN. (1Ki. 2:28-45) Then tidings came to Joab--The execution of these sentences respectively on Adonijah and Abiathar prepared Joab for his fate. Death, due to his great crimes (Num 35:33), would long ago have been inflicted, had not his power and popularity with the army been too formidable for the old king. He now fled to the altar, which, though a recognized asylum, afforded no sanctuary to the rebel and murderer (Exo 21:14). And, as he refused to leave it, he seems to have cherished some faint hope that a religious scruple would have been felt at the thought of violating the sanctity of the place by bloodshed. Benaiah, not liking to assume any responsibility, referred the matter…”

“Joab followed the example of Adonijab (margin reference). The tabernacle was now at Gibeon 1 Kings 3:4; 1 Chronicles 16:39. return to 'Top of Page'”

“2:28-29 Following Adonijah’s example (1:50), Joab hoped to find mercy by grasping the horns of the altar according to the provisions of the law of Moses (Exod 21:12-14; Num 35:22-25; Deut 19:4-5). But because Joab was a murderer, he could not claim clemency (see 2 Sam 3:27; 18:14; 20:10).”

“Joab had: Kg1 1:7; Deu 32:35; Sa2 18:2, Sa2 18:14, Sa2 18:15 caught: Kg1 1:50; Exo 27:2 3 Kings (1 Kings) 2:29”