Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.
On his deathbed David charged Solomon to act according to God-given wisdom in handling Joab, so that Joab's hoar head would not go down to the grave in peace in his old age. The same charge directed Solomon to deal wisely with Shimei as a dangerous and violent man who might stir up rebellion against him or seize an opportunity to kill him. This warning was part of David's careful settling of the affairs of the kingdom before his death. Joab had proved unworthy of confidence by bloodshed, serious wrongs, and unfaithfulness, which David himself should have condemned, but he failed to act because he personally depended on Joab, who had bound himself to David with apparent loyalty.
The counsel establishes the general principle that those who prove untrue and unworthy of confidence are to be dealt with wisely. Disaffection, scheming, deception, and unfaithfulness must be rejected and never treated as virtues, and those in responsibility are to show clear and firm disapproval of unfaithfulness in both business and spiritual matters. Counsel, especially about sacred things, is to be entrusted only to people who are fully worthy of confidence and trust. The charge warns leaders against depending on trusted associates while tolerating their unfaithfulness and failing to oppose wrongdoing.
On his deathbed David charged Solomon to act according to God-given wisdom in handling Joab, so that Joab's hoar head would not go down to the grave in peace in his old age. The same charge directed Solomon to deal wisely with Shimei as a dangerous and violent man who might stir up rebellion against him or seize an opportunity to kill him. This warning was part of David's careful settling of the affairs of the kingdom before his death. Joab had proved unworthy of confidence by bloodshed, serious wrongs, and unfaithfulness, which David himself should have condemned, but he failed to act because he personally depended on Joab, who had bound himself to David with apparent loyalty.
The counsel establishes the general principle that those who prove untrue and unworthy of confidence are to be dealt with wisely. Disaffection, scheming, deception, and unfaithfulness must be rejected and never treated as virtues, and those in responsibility are to show clear and firm disapproval of unfaithfulness in both business and spiritual matters. Counsel, especially about sacred things, is to be entrusted only to people who are fully worthy of confidence and trust. The charge warns leaders against depending on trusted associates while tolerating their unfaithfulness and failing to oppose wrongdoing.