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.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
It was only a murderer to whom the tabernacle was to be no protection (margin reference). Hence, the reference to the "innocent blood."
And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and (p) fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.
(p) For it was lawful to take the wilful murderer from the altar, (Exodus 21:14).
And the king said unto him, do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him,.... Let him die where he is, slay him upon the spot, and then bury him; not by the altar, but in his own sepulchre, as later related, that in, give orders to bury him there; for Benaiah being a priest, could not be concerned in the burial of him, and besides it was below the dignity of his office:
(, 1-Chronicles 27:2 where Gill advances resaons for Benaiah not being a priest. Editor.)
that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father; which had been too long connived at, and had called for vengeance; and now here was a proper opportunity upon fresh sins committed to avenge it, and so remove the guilt, which lay upon him and his father's house, for not inflicting deserved punishment on him for it.
Do, &c. - Kill him, though he be there; take him from that place, and then kill him: for, Exodus 21:14, doth not command the ruler to kill the murderer there, but to remove him thence, to take him from the altar, that he may die.
*More commentary available at chapter level.