1 Kings 2:29-34

New English Translation

²⁹ When King Solomon heard^[a] that Joab had run to the tent of the Lord and was right there beside the altar, he ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada,^[b] “Go, strike him down.” ³⁰ When Benaiah arrived at the tent of the Lord, he said to him, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But he replied, “No, I will die here!” So Benaiah sent word to the king and reported Joab’s reply.^{[c] 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^[d] the guilt of Joab’s murderous, bloody deeds.^{[e] 32} May the Lord punish him for the blood he shed;^[f] 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^[g]—Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. 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,^[h] and his dynasty.”^{[i] 34} So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and executed Joab;^[j] he was buried at his home in the wilderness.