He knew his time was up. The writing was on the wall and he didn’t have many options.
Joab had murdered two men and supported a coup. David never held him accountable for his actions but instructed his son, Solomon, to put him to death (1 Kings 2:5-6). When Solomon took the throne, Joab knew he couldn’t escape the king. Being the commander of the army for many years, he likely had many enemies outside Israel so there was no place to escape. So, he did the only thing he knew that might spare his life…he went to the tent of the Lord and took hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 2:28).
In Exodus, God commanded the priest to put some of the blood from the sacrificed bull on the horns of the altar, symbolizing atonement for sin. Because of this, many viewed the altar as a place for refuge and mercy. To grab the horns of the altar become a visual plea for mercy. Joab relied on this tradition as his only hope of escape for the justice coming upon him.
Maybe Joab wasn’t aware of Exodus 21:14 which states: “But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.” Joab was guilty and the justice of God, his holiness, demanded Joab be put to death. Popular tradition wouldn’t be enough to atone for his murders. No amount of religious ritual could account for his blatant sin against a holy God. Therefore, Solomon ordered Joab to be struck down in accordance with the law for putting Abner and Amara to death unlawfully.
God certainly offers mercy, but it won’t come through any other means beside his prescribed ways. God isn’t satisfied in empty religious tradition, he desires true heart repentance and honest pleas for mercy. The only atonement perfect enough to forgive our sin was made on the cross.
Modern Joabs
Today, people don’t grab the horns of the altar, but we have plenty of ways we try to atone for our sins other than trusting in Christ’s work. Some attend church regularly merely as an outward religious display with hopes for forgiveness for vile deeds done during the week. Others wallow in shame and guilt in an attempt to pay for their sins. Many a good volunteer work has been done in an attempt to earn favor from God and atone for past sin.
However, the Lord has provided only one way to atone for our sin. Just as holding the horns at the altar wouldn’t save Joab, so any of our vain attempts to atone for our sin outside of Christ will be just as ineffective. The horn of our salvation is Jesus Christ (Luke 1:69), and we can only be forgiven and accepted through faith in him and his finished work.
Outward religious displays are appropriate in the proper context and if done from the heart. However, they are in vain if our heart isn’t truly repentant, and they won’t wash away sins that haven’t been covered by the blood of Christ. Any other attempt to atone for our sins will not be accepted in God’s eyes and will lead to our destruction.
Repent and trust in Christ before the day of judgment comes!
