Joab’s Wilderness House

Why is the location of Joab?s house mentioned (1 Ki 2:34)? The wilderness is the place of Israel?s 40-year sojourn, prior to the entry into and conquest of the land of Israel. Thus, the reference to the wilderness connects with the Joshua typology that is evident elsewhere in the chapter (eg., in David’s instructions to Solomon). Joab is part of the generation that falls and is buried in the wilderness, while Solomon is the new Joshua, who leads Israel to subdue the land and bring peace. This interpretation is reinforced by the sequence from verses 34-35: Immediately after the burial in the wilderness, a new regime takes its position. Now a new Israel is prepared for the conquest.

Intriguingly, as my pastoral assistant Joshua Appel pointed out to me, everyone in the first two chapters is sent to his home: Adonijah was sent to his house at the end of chapter 1 (1:53); Abiathar goes to his ?own field?E(2:26); Joab is buried in his own house in the wilderness (2:34); and Shimei will also be sent to his home, and forced to remain there (2:36).