29 It was told king Solomon, "Joab has fled to the Tent of Yahweh, and behold, he is by the altar." Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go, fall on him."
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, [he is] by the (o) altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.
(o) Thinking to be saved by the holiness of the place.
And it was told King Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord,.... This account was brought him very probably by some of his courtiers:
and, behold, he is by the altar; to which he betook himself for refuge, laying hold on the horns of it:
then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, go, fall upon him; slay him; Josephus (g) says, the orders were to cut off his head; but perhaps it might be only to lay hold on him, and take him thence, and bring him to Solomon to have judgment passed upon him; for the Targum is,
"exercise your power over him,''
take him into custody; and certain it is that the first orders were not to slay him, at least upon the spot where he was.
(g) Antiqu. l. 8. c. 1. sect. 4.
*More commentary available at chapter level.