Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

1 KINGS 2:5KJV
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1 Kings 2:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 2:5 mean?

1 Kings 2:5 records King David reminding his son Solomon of the violent actions Joab, son of Zeruiah, committed against two Israelite military leaders, Abner and Amasa. David points out that Joab killed these men during a time of peace, staining himself with blood as if he were at war.

In this verse, David is speaking to Solomon as he prepares to hand over the kingdom. David brings up Joab’s past actions, emphasizing that Joab’s killings were not acts of battle but betrayals during peaceful times. This sets the stage for David’s instructions to Solomon about how to deal with Joab and others as Solomon begins his reign.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 2:5

  • שָׁפַךְ (shed, H7760): This word, transliterated as "shafakh," means to pour out or shed, and here it refers to the spilling of blood. The verse stresses that Joab’s violence was deliberate and left a visible mark, not an accident of war.
  • דַּם (blood, H1818): "Dam" is the Hebrew word for blood, and its repetition in the verse highlights the seriousness of Joab’s actions—he is described as having blood on his belt and sandals, symbolizing guilt that clings to him.
  • מִלְחָמָה (war, H4421) and שָׁלוֹם (peace, H7965): These words contrast Joab’s actions. The verse says Joab shed "the blood of war in peace," underlining that these killings were not justified by battle but were acts of violence during times of peace.

Why 1 Kings 2:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joab’s killings were not ordinary acts of war but breaches of trust and peace, which helps explain why David later tells Solomon to deal with Joab’s wrongdoing.
  • The verse shows David’s concern for justice and the reputation of his house as he prepares Solomon to rule, emphasizing that unresolved violence and guilt must be addressed.
  • By naming Abner and Amasa specifically, the verse connects back to earlier stories in 2 Samuel, reminding the reader of the personal and political consequences of Joab’s actions.

Where else these words appear

“girdle” Hebrew H2290 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • 2 Samuel 18:11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
  • Isaiah 3:24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.

“Jether” Hebrew H3500 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 4:18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
  • 1 Kings 2:32 And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:32 And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai; Jether, and Jonathan: and Jether died without children.

“Amasa” Hebrew H6021 · used in 12 verses

  • 2 Samuel 17:25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
  • 2 Samuel 20:5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
  • 2 Samuel 20:12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.

“Ner” Hebrew H5369 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
  • 2 Samuel 2:12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
  • 1 Kings 2:32 And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.