Suggested reading: 1 Kings chapter 2 verses 28-34

Continued.

It is tragic for a person to reach the end of life’s journey, only to discover that they have achieved nothing of real worth. Such was the case with Joab. Outwardly he was successful and seemingly indispensable to David, but God viewed things from a different perspective.

The men and women of whom we read in Hebrews chapter 11 experienced failure; nevertheless, we learn that they died ‘having obtained a good testimony through faith’, Hebrews chapter 11 verse 39. God saw the faith that motivated them, graciously passed over their shortcomings and honoured them in the great gallery of faith. Joab only appeared in David’s great gallery of mighty men as a means of identifying others. He may have been one of the most prominent people in the kingdom, but it was others who gained the honour!

Joab’s end befitted the self-seeking, hypocritical, cruel and vindictive person he was. His apparent loyalty to the king disappeared as David was about to die. He threw in his lot with Adonijah, David’s rebellious son, who exalted himself to the position of king. Clearly, Joab saw no future in following Solomon, the man of peace. He only understood the way of war and bloodshed.

However, when he discovered the error of his ways, he escaped to the tabernacle and caught hold of the horns of the altar, imagining that this would save him. The horns symbolized the power and strength of the altar and the sacrifice upon it, but it was a place of weakness for Joab! He had no understanding of the only true way to approach God. He failed to appreciate the need  for repentance and sacrifice. Far from saving him, the altar condemned him. He was slain by Benaiah and appropriately, buried in his own house, which was situated in the barren wilderness, verse 34.

To be continued.