The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 4 September 2026 – Nay… I Will Die Here”
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TOPIC — Nay… I Will Die Here”
READ: 1 Kings 2:28-35
28 This news came to Joab; for Joab had followed Adonijah, although he didn’t follow Absalom. Joab fled to Yahweh’s Tent, and held onto the horns of the altar.
29 King Solomon was told, “Joab has fled to Yahweh’s Tent; and behold, he is by the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, fall on him.”
30 Benaiah came to Yahweh’s Tent, and said to him, “The king says, ‘Come out!’”
He said, “No; but I will die here.”
Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, “This is what Joab said, and this is how he answered me.”
31 The king said to him, “Do as he has said, and fall on him, and bury him, that you may take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me and from my father’s house.
32 Yahweh will return his blood on his own head, because he fell on two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword, and my father David didn’t know it: Abner the son of Ner, captain of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the army of Judah.
33 So their blood will return on the head of Joab and on the head of his offspring[a] forever. But for David, for his offspring, for his house, and for his throne, there will be peace forever from Yahweh.”
34 Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and fell on him, and killed him; and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
35 The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army; and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.
THE MESSAGE:
When news reached Joab that Solomon has executed Adonijah, he perceived danger for himself because of his past loyalties and actions against David’s wishes (1 Kings 2:5-6). So, he fled to the altar seeking refuge, as his last hope for survival. However, this moment demonstrates that we cannot escape the consequences of our action simply because we seek physical refuge through sacred objects. Past choices will ultimately attract results, regardless of where we seek shelter. A life that is not governed by the testimonies (the two tablets of commandment) on the altar, cannot hope to hide under the shadow of the altar for safety.
2 Samuel 3:29 records that on hearing that Joab murdered Abner, David said: “Let it (the blood of Abner) rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.” David was so pained about the ruthless activities of Joab that he placed a curse on him and his generation.
The story of Joab is similar to those of us who always shout ‘Jesus’ in the day of trouble. Yes, the name of the Lord is a strong tower, but it is only the righteous that run into it to find safety (Proverbs 18:10). Let us also be careful not to incur the wrath of men whom the Lord is determined to honour.
PRAYER: Lord, deliver me from the company of the wicked. Amen.
