Discovery Box1 Kings 2:5-6 
Context2:5 “You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me – how he murdered two commanders of the Israelite armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. 1 During peacetime he struck them down like he would in battle; 2 when he shed their blood as if in battle, he stained his own belt and the sandals on his feet. 3 2:6 Do to him what you think is appropriate, 4 but don’t let him live long and die a peaceful death. 5
1 Kings 2:31-34
Context2:31 The king told him, “Do as he said! Strike him down and bury him. Take away from me and from my father’s family 6 the guilt of Joab’s murderous, bloody deeds. 7 2:32 May the Lord punish him for the blood he shed; 8 behind my father David’s back he struck down and murdered with the sword two men who were more innocent and morally upright than he 9 – Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. 2:33 May Joab and his descendants be perpetually guilty of their shed blood, but may the Lord give perpetual peace to David, his descendants, his family, 10 and his dynasty.” 11 2:34 So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and executed Joab; 12 he was buried at his home in the wilderness.
1 tn Heb “what he did to the two commanders…and he killed them.”
2 tn Heb “he shed the blood of battle in peace.”
3 tn Heb “and he shed the blood of battle when he killed which is on his waist and on his sandal[s] which are on his feet.” That is, he covered himself with guilt and his guilt was obvious to all who saw him.
4 tn Heb “according to your wisdom.”
5 tn Heb “and do not bring down his grey hair in peace [to] Sheol.”
6 tn Heb “house.”
7 tn Heb “take away the undeserved bloodshed which Joab spilled from upon me and from upon the house of my father.”
8 tn Heb “The
9 tn Heb “because he struck down two men more innocent and better than he and he killed them with the sword, and my father David did not know.”
10 tn Heb “house.”
11 tn Heb “his throne.”
12 tn Heb “struck him and killed him.” The referent (Joab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
