1 Kings 2:29–34

²⁹King Solomon was told that Joab had run to the tent. He was also told that Joab was by the altar.

Then Solomon gave the order to Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada. He told him, “Go! Strike him down!”

³⁰So Benaiah entered the tent of the Lord. He said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come on out!’ ”

But Joab answered, “No. I’d rather die here.”

Benaiah told the king what Joab had said to him.

³¹Then the king commanded Benaiah, “Do what he says. Strike him down. Bury his body. Then I and my family won’t be held accountable for the blood Joab spilled. He killed people who weren’t guilty of doing anything wrong. ³²The Lord will pay him back for the blood he spilled. Joab attacked two men. He killed them with his sword. And my father David didn’t even know anything about it.

“Joab killed Abner, the son of Ner. Abner was the commander of Israel’s army. Joab also killed Amasa, the son of Jether. Amasa was the commander of Judah’s army. Abner and Amasa were better men than Joab is. They were more honest than he is. ³³May Joab and his children after him be held forever accountable for spilling the blood of Abner and Amasa.

“But may David and his children after him enjoy the Lord’s peace and rest forever. May the Lord also give his peace to David’s royal house and kingdom forever.”

³⁴So Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, went up to the Lord’s tent. There he struck Joab down. And he killed him. Joab’s body was buried on his own land in the desert.