1 Kings 2:33
So shall their blood return on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever, but to David and his descendants and his house and his throne, may there be peace forever.
Don't you worry about revenge. The Lord is responsible for managing all people and their actions. You are responsible for managing your own actions, words and intentions. Solomon was newly appointed king after his father David passed. He was faced with the same trouble and strife that his father had to manage and was made aware that Joab killed innocent people without Kind David's consent and his punishment was death. Solomon (now king) made his army aware of the fact that the new blood shed would too be Joab's own fault due to his actions and that the descendants of David would forever find peace from the Lord.
The old testament can be hard to understand. At that time they lived by an-eye-for-an-eye and those that killed, hurt or harmed were either given instruction by God to present a sacrifice for forgiveness or were killed. Aren't you glad we live in the 21st century with full access to the throne and a promise of peace much like the one God promised David and his descendants? Because we were created with peace in us, it's wise to utilize that gift, learn to focus on God's grace and appreciate his love than to concern ourselves with revenge.
I once heard a saying, "seeking revenge against someone is like grabbing a burning coal with the intentions of throwing it at someone... you end up burnt." It's true, having a heart that desires ill will and hurt in return to others only means we are focused on those negative things bringing them to existence in our own lives. When we focus on peace it is reflected from us and impressed upon others.
Know that like David, we have access to God's peace forever. Chose to walk in it and wash your hands of the blood of sin.
What's your interpretation?
Tomorrow's scripture 2 Kings 9:17
