*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR (2)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
1 Kings 2:27-28 *So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord; that he might fulfil the word of the Lord, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.*
*Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Proverbs 18:21 *Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Joab, a one-time commander of David's army defected into the group of Adonijah, David's fourthborn son, who wanted to ursup the throne from Solomon.
When Joab heard that Solomon had removed Abiathar whom Joab had joined with against Solomon, he fled *".....unto the tabernacle of the Lord, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.*
Though Solomon heard that Joab had caught the horns of the altar, he sent his servant, Benaiah, to ask Joab to come down.
When Benaiah told Joab to come down from the altar, Joab told Benaiah *.......Nay; but I will die here.*
Benaiah told Solomon all that Joab had said, and Solomon told Benaiah *"...Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him;*
Benaiah killed Joab, 1 Kgs 2:34.
Solomon's reason for killing Joab was more to do with the innocent blood he shed without the knowledge of David the king, 1 Kgs 2: 32.
Solomon was not sorry he killed Joab. He even cursed Joab in his death that the blood of the innocent people Joab killed ,*"....shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever:..."*, 1 Kgs 2:33.
There are a few lessons we could learn here. We will touch on one today.
First, Solomon's respect for the horns was remarkable, and he kept it sacred and would not kill Joab because he was holding to them, but Joab refused to let go and insisted he would die there.
This gave Solomon the leeway to go ahead with the death sentence on Joab, though where he was, was a safe haven,
Joab may have thought holding the horns would unconditionally guarantee his safety.
He was already an offender who should plead for mercy than sentence himself.
Heb 6:19 says we have an anchor.
*We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,*
Joab was in a secure place, but he made himself less secure.
Though we run to God for safety, He still reserves the truth that
Matt 12:37 *For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.*
James 4:3 tells us that one can be in God's presence yet ask amiss.
When you are in the secret place of the most High, say the Lord is my *".....refuge and my fortress;*
*My God, in Him I will trust.”*
Be carefully guided when you are choosing what to say.
*Remorse corner*
When a person grabs the horns of the altar, he consciously mentally and spiritually grabs hold of the sacrifice of Christ!
*Call to Word action.*
Proverbs 13:3 *He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Proverbs 18:7 *A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.*
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me and let my lips preserve and protect my life, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.