INTRODUCTION: The cities of refuge were locations where those accused of murder, but innocent, could flee for refuge. Once inside the city, the accused was free from the wrath of the accuser. Not only was this a great blessing to those in the Old Testament, but in Christ we have a refuge that far exceeds the benefits of the cities of refuge.

1. THE POSSESSION OF THE CITIES (Numbers 35:1-8 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, [2] Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them. [3] And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts. [4] And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. [5] And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities. [6] And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. [7] So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. [8] And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
   See All...)
1. A Possession for the Levites (Numbers 35:1-2 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, [2] Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
   See All...)
1. To have no inheritance in the land (Numbers 18:20-24 [20] And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. [21] And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. [22] Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. [23] But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. [24] But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 10:8-9 [8] At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. [9] Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.
   See All...; Joshua 14:1-3 [1] And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. [2] By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe. [3] For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
   See All...)
2. To be scattered in the land (Genesis 49:5-7 [5] Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. [6] O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. [7] Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
   See All...)
2. The Cities and Their Suburbs (Numbers 35:3-5 [3] And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts. [4] And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. [5] And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
   See All...)
1. The breakdown of their gift (Numbers 35:3And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
   See All...)
1. Cities to dwell in
2. Suburbs for their cattle, their goods and their beasts
2. The size of the suburbs (Numbers 35:4-5 [4] And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. [5] And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
   See All...)
1. From the wall of the city a thousand cubits round about (Numbers 35:4And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
   See All...)
2. From without the city two thousand cubits each direction (Numbers 35:5And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
   See All...)
3. The easiest explanation is that the two measurements should be added together to make a total of 3,000 cubits or almost one mile. The first thousand cubits could have been for buildings, pens, etc., while the last 2,000 cubits could have been used for grazing.
3. The city shall be in the midst of the suburb (Numbers 35:5And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
   See All...)
4. NOTE:  The Sabbath day’s journey
1. The 2,000 cubits around the city is used by Jewish tradition to establish the length of a Sabbath day’s journey.
2. It is equal to the 2,000 cubits between the priests and the people when they cross the Jordan River (Joshua 3:3-4 [3] And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. [4] Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
   See All...).
3. The Sabbath day’s journey is based on the teaching of Exodus 16:29See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
   See All... – “See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.”
4. Every man is to stay in his place on the Sabbath day.
5. The Jews determined 2,000 cubits (almost two thirds of a mile) to be the allowed distance.
6. This is the approximate distance from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
   See All...).
7. This could explain the statement in Matthew 24:20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
   See All... where it says, “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.”
3. The Number of Cities for the Levites (Numbers 35:6-8 [6] And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. [7] So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. [8] And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
   See All...)
1. Six cities for refuge (Numbers 35:6And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
   See All...)
2. Plus forty-two cities (Numbers 35:6And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
   See All...)
3. A total of forty-eight cities (Numbers 35:7So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
   See All...)
4. Given by Israel according to what they have (Numbers 35:8And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
   See All...)
2. THE PLACEMENT OF THE CITIES (Numbers 35:9-14 [9] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [10] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; [11] Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. [12] And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. [13] And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. [14] Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
   See All...)
1. When Ye Be Come over Jordan (Numbers 35:9-10 [9] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [10] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
   See All...)
2. The Appointing of Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:11-12 [11] Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. [12] And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
   See All...)
1. A place for a man to flee when he kills someone accidentally (Numbers 35:11Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
   See All...)
2. They are a place of refuge from an avenger of blood (Numbers 35:12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
   See All...).
3. They are a place where the slayer can present his case before the congregation (Numbers 35:12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
   See All...).
3. The Location of the Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:13-14 [13] And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. [14] Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
   See All...)
1. Six cities available for refuge for Israel (Numbers 35:13And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
   See All...)
2. Three cities on the east side of Jordan (Numbers 35:14Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
   See All...)
3. Three cities on the west side of Jordan (Numbers 35:14Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
   See All...)
3. THE PURPOSE OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE (Numbers 35:15-25 [15] These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. [16] And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [17] And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. [20] But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; [21] Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. [22] But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [23] Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: [24] Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...)
1. The Availability of the Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:15These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
   See All...)
1. For the children of Israel
2. For the stranger
3. For the sojourner
4. For those who kill someone accidentally
2. Not a Protection for the Murderer (Numbers 35:16-21 [16] And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [17] And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. [20] But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; [21] Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
   See All...)
1. Scenario 1 (Numbers 35:16And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
   See All...)
1. A man smote another man with an instrument of iron.
2. He did this with the intention of killing the man.
3. He is a murderer.
4. He shall be put to death.
2. Scenario 2 (Numbers 35:17And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
   See All...)
1. A man smote another man by throwing a stone at him.
2. He did this knowing that the man could die.
3. He is a murderer.
4. He shall be put to death.
3. Scenario 3 (Numbers 35:18-19 [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
   See All...)
1. A man smote another man with a hand weapon of wood.
2. He did this knowing that the man could die.
3. He is a murderer.
4. He shall be put to death.
4. Scenario 4 (Numbers 35:20But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
   See All...)
1. A man thrusts another man or hurls at him by lying of wait out of anger.
2. He did this with the intention of killing the man.
5. Scenario 5 (Numbers 35:21Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
   See All...)
1. A man smites another man with his hand out of enmity.
2. He did this with the intention of killing the man.
3. The revenger of blood shall slay him.
3. A Protection for the Manslayer (Numbers 35:22-25 [22] But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [23] Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: [24] Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...)
1. Scenarios (Numbers 35:22-23 [22] But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [23] Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
   See All...)
1. A man thrusts another man suddenly without enmity (Numbers 35:22But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
   See All...).
2. A man casts something upon another man without lying in wait (Numbers 35:22But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
   See All...).
3. A man casts a stone upon another man (Numbers 35:23Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
   See All...).
1. He did not see him.
2. The man was not his enemy previously.
3. He was not seeking to harm the man.
2. The safety offered (Numbers 35:24-25 [24] Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...)
1. The congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood (Numbers 35:24Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
   See All...).
2. The congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood (Numbers 35:25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...).
4. THE PROTECTION OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE (Numbers 35:25-28 [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. [26] But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; [27] And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: [28] Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
   See All...)
1. The Protection Upheld (Numbers 35:25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...)
1. The slayer will be placed in the city of refuge (Numbers 35:25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...).
2. The slayer will abide in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest (Numbers 35:25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...).
2. The Protection Rejected (Numbers 35:26-28 [26] But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; [27] And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: [28] Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
   See All...)
1. The departure of the slayer (Numbers 35:26But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
   See All...)
2. The revenger of blood (Numbers 35:27And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
   See All...)
1. Finds the slayer outside of the borders of the city of refuge
2. The revenger of blood kills the slayer.
3. The revenger of blood is not guilty of blood.
3. The disobedience of the slayer (Numbers 35:28Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
   See All...)
5. PROTECTION OF THE LAND (Numbers 35:29-34 [29] So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. [30] Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. [31] Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. [32] And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. [33] So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. [34] Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
   See All...)
1. The Nature of These Statutes (Numbers 35:29So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
   See All...)
1. Throughout your generations
2. Throughout your dwellings
2. The Proper Response to Blood Shed (Numbers 35:30-32 [30] Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. [31] Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. [32] And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
   See All...)
1. The need for evidence (Numbers 35:30Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
   See All...)
1. The man shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses.
2. One witness shall not testify against a person that he die.
2. The absence of satisfaction (Numbers 35:31-32 [31] Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. [32] And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
   See All...)
3. The Danger of Blood Shed (Numbers 35:33-34 [33] So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. [34] Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
   See All...)
1. Blood defiles the land (Numbers 35:33So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
   See All...).
1. When a murderer was allowed to go free, the unrevenged blood that he shed defiled the land.
2. Even in the case of unsolved murders, a sacrifice was to be made for the land (Deuteronomy 21:1-9 [1] If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: [2] Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: [3] And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; [4] And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley: [5] And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: [6] And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: [7] And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. [8] Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. [9] So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.
   See All...).
3. This defilement of the land eventually led to its destruction by the judgment of God (see Leviticus 18:25And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 19:10That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.
   See All...; 2 Kings 24:4And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.
   See All...; Psalm 106:38And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
   See All...; Ezekiel 22:3-4 [3] Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself. [4] Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.
   See All...).
2. The land must be cleansed (Numbers 35:33So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
   See All...).
3. The Lord dwells in the land (Numbers 35:34Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
   See All...).
4. NOTE: Abner died as a fool because he was in the gate of Hebron, one of the cities of refuge when Joab killed him for the killing of Joab’s brother Asahel.  (See 2 Samuel 3:22-37 [22] And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. [23] When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. [24] Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? [25] Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. [26] And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. [27] And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. [28] And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: [29] Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. [30] So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. [31] And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. [32] And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. [33] And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? [34] Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. [35] And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. [36] And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. [37] For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
   See All....)

CONCLUSION: What a blessing it was to the people of God to have a place to find refuge in time of need. Are you guilty of sin? Do you have need of a refuge? Will you flee to the Lord Jesus Christ in order to find refuge from the punishment for sins?