The writer of 1 Kings does not tell the reader how the news concerning Adonijah (and possibly Abiathar) came to Joab, but it came to him. Joab’s reaction was like that of Adonijah in 1 Kings 1:50–51, when his plot came to ruin. He went to the tabernacle (called the tent of the Lord here) and caught hold of the horns of the altar.
It is the second report of this practice in a relatively short time span that has led some to believe that it was recognized as a practice that sought God’s protection from a death sentence being executed. That idea is mere guesswork, for the only two records of this practice in Scripture are found in this book—here and in the previous chapter.
Paul House gives the opinion that, though Joab was not particularly religious, he thought that the holiness of the place would make Solomon hesitate before he shed blood within the tent.1 In my opinion this suggestion is good, but it does not answer the question as to grasping the horns of the altar, as both Joab and Adonijah did.
The horns of the altar were the places where the priests placed the blood of the sacrifices. Did Joab mean to suggest that his sin was covered by that blood so that he should be allowed to go free or merely be exiled from Jerusalem? Whatever the answer concerning the horns of the altar is, the writer makes it clear to his readers that there was truly a crime which Joab needed to answer. It is said, For Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom.
However, as we shall see, in decreeing the death penalty, Solomon focuses on the murders that Joab had committed in previous years. We should remember this as we continue to look at this drama.
28 When the news came to Joab for Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom Joab fled to the tent of the LORD and caught hold of the horns of the altar.