Joab

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Joab the son of Zeruiah

These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness! - 2 Samuel 3:39

Joab is a ruthless man, killing Abner, Absalom, and Amasa and assisting in sending Uriah the Hittite to his death. Though David is not afraid to apply the death penalty to evildoers, David rarely applies meaningful punishment to Joab. Perhaps Joab was too excellent a commander to lose, subduing all Israel's enemies and experiencing constant victory.

Joab tries to act as the voice of reason at times to King David, advising David end Absalom's miserable exile, curtail his mourning for God's victory after Absalom's conspiracy, and avoid conducting an abhorrent census.

When King Solomon takes the throne, he executes Joab for his murders, bringing the bloodguilt from David's house to Joab's house forever. (1 Kings 2:33)

Basics

Commander of King David's army. His position is briefly given to Amasa, but he earns it back with murder. (2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 19:13) He is not among the three or the thirty, but his armor-bearer is. (2 Samuel 23:37)

Account

Battle of Gibeon

As the pool of Gibeon, Joab and the servants of David met Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul. They each stayed on their own side. Abner asked Joab that the young men arise and compete, and Joab agreed. 12 men from each side arose and each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side, so they fell down together. So that place was called Helkath-hazzurim. The battle was very fierce. The swift Asahel pursued Abner, and when Abner recognized him, he tried to persuade him to pursue another and plunder then finally with a threat. Failing, he struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his back, killing him. All who came to Asahel's place and stood still. Zeruiah's other sons, Joab and Abishai pursued Abner until the sun was going down, and the people of Benjamin prepared to take a stand with Abner on the hill of Ammah. Abner called to Joab, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?" Joab confirms his words had he not spoken. Joab blew the trumpet, and Abner returned to Mahanaim after going through the Arabah all night. Joab's side lost 19, while Abner lost 360. (2 Samuel 2:12-32)

Joab murders Abner

Joab came to David with the army and spoils from a raid, and he was told Abner had been there and David sent him away in peace. He asked the king why he did that when he knows Abner came to deceive him and to know his comings and goings.

Joab left David's presence and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah without David's knowledge. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach and killed him. Joab and Abishai killed Abner for the death of their brother Asahel. When David heard about it, he proclaimed the guilt fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house. He also proclaimed, "may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!"

David told Joab and the people with him to tear their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. David followed the bier, and they buried Abner at Hebron. David told his servants he was gentle, but the sons of Zeruiah are severe. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness. (2 Samuel 3)

Joab is commander

Joab was made the commander of David's army. (2 Samuel 8:16)

Joab defends against the Ammonites and Syrians

When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men. And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, while the Syrians of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

When Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. The rest, he put under charge of Abishai and arrayed them against the Ammonites. "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him."

So Joab and the people drew near to battle, and the Syrians fled before them. The Ammonites fled in turn. Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

Hadadezer brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates under commander Shobach, but they fled and were defeated by King David. All kings who were servants to Hadadezer made peace with Israel, and the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.

(2 Samuel 10)

Joab helps David murder Uriah

In the spring of the year when the kings go out to battle, David sent Joab and his servants and all Israel and remained at Jerusalem. They ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah.

David sent word to Joab, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." Uriah returned to Joab with a letter in his hand, saying, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die."

As Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men. The men came out and fought, and some servants of David fell, and Uriah died.

Joab instructed his messenger to David, "When you have finished telling all the news about the fighting to the king, then, if the king's anger rises, and if he says to you, 'Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' Then you shall say, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'"

The messenger returned, saying with encouragement, "Do not let this matter trouble you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.'"

Joab's messenger came and said they had fought close to the city and lost men, but Uriah died. David replied, "Do not let this matter trouble you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it."

(2 Samuel 11)

Rabbah is Captured

Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. Joab sent messengers to David, saying, "I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name."

David gathered the people and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it.

(2 Samuel 12:2-29)

Joab enlists a wise woman to convince David to bring back Absalom

Joab knew the king's heart went out to Absalom, so he sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman to pretend to be a mourner who had two sons, one of whom killed the other. He gave her a script. The whole clan wants her to give up her surviving heir to put him to death. David told her to return home and await orders, but she insisted the guilt fall on herself. The king promised to protect her, but she wanted him to invoke the LORD that her son would not be killed, and David swore.

The woman then claimed his decision convicts himself, since he has not brought his banished one home. We must all die, but God devises means so that exiles will not remain an outcast. She knew the king would set her at rest for he is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. He asked if Joab sent her, and she confirmed he wants to change the course of things.

(2 Samuel 14)

Joab brings Absalom to Jerusalem from Geshur

So David told Joab to bring back Absalom, and Joab fell on his face to the ground and paid homage and blessed the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has granted the request of his servant.”

Joab brought Absalom from Geshur to Jerusalem. The king ordered he dwell in his own house and not come into his presence.

(2 Samuel 14)

Joab brings Absalom into David's presence

Two full years later, Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him both times he tried. Since Joab's field was next to his, Absalom's servants set his barley field on fire, so Joab arose and went to Absalom at his house and asked why. Absalom said he sent word to him, asking to go to the king and ask why he had come from Geshur. It would be better for him to be there still. Therefore, if there is guilt in him, put him to death.

Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So Absalom came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.

(2 Samuel 14)

Absalom's conspiracy

Absalom chose Amasa, Joab's cousin, to lead Israel's army instead of Joab. (2 Samuel 17:25)

Joab leads a third in David's battle against Absalom and Israel and kills Absalom

David send out the army, one third under Joab, one third under Abishai the son of Zeruiah, and one third under Ittai the Gittite. David ordered them to deal gently with Absalom, and all the men heard him. (2 Samuel 18:1-5)

The battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim across all the country, and Israel's loss was great against David's servants, 20,000 men. The forest devoured more than the sword.

A certain man reported to Joab than Absalom's hair caught fast in an oak and suspended him in the air while his mule went on. Joab asked, "What, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have been glad to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt.” The man replied, “Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not reach out my hand against the king's son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake protect the young man Absalom.’ On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.” Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you." He thrust three javelins into Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the oak, and 10 young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and killed him.

Joab blew the trumpet and restrained his troops. They took Absalom and threw him in a great pit in the forest and piled stones on him.

(2 Samuel 18:1-18)

Joab conveys the battle to King David via a Cushite and Ahimaaz

Ahimaaz asked to carry the news to the king, but Joab did not allow him to that day as his son died. He sent the Cushite instead, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” Ahimaaz insisted, despite Joab warning him there will be no reward, so he sent him running after the Cushite.

(2 Samuel 18:19-23)

Joab scolds David for mourning Absalom and treating his servants as though they were nothing

Joab heard David was mourning Absalom, and victory was turned to mourning for the people. He went to David and said, "You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased. Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.” David went to the gate, and the people gathered.

(2 Samuel 19:1-8)

Amasa replaces Joab as commander of David's army

David sent word to Amasa through Zadok and Abiathar that he made Amasa commander of his army from now on in place of Joab.

(2 Samuel 19:11-13)

Joab murders Amasa and regains his title

Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite, led Israel and the Bichrites away from him, saying, "We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!” Meanwhile, Judah steadfastly stayed by David's side from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

David had Amasa lead Judah, but he tarried, so David sent Abishai after Sheba with Joab's men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men.

Amasa meets them at the great stone that is in Gibeon. Joab was wearing a solder's garment under a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh. As he went forward, it fell out. Joab asked Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him, and Amasa did not observe the sword in Joab's hand. Joab struck him in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking twice. Amasa died.

Joab and Abishai went on, pursuing Sheba. All the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. A wise woman called out from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’” Joab drew near, and she asked, "Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she told him, "Listen to the words of your servant.” He replied, “I am listening.” She said, "They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” He said, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” The woman said, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” Then she threw the head out to Joab.

He blew the trumpet, and they returned to Jerusalem. Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel.

(2 Samuel 20)

Joab carries out a census for King David

David asked Joab, "Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people." Joab replied, "May the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see it, but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?” The king's word prevailed, so Joab and the army commanders numbered the people, traveling from Aroer, the city in the middle of the valley, Gad, Jazer, Gilead, Kadesh in the land of the Hittites, Dan, Sidon, the fortress of Tyre, all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites, and the Negeb of Judah at Beersheba. They came to Jerusalem after 9 months and 20 days, having counted 800,000 valiant men in Israel and 500,000 in Judah. (2 Samuel 24:1-9)

Joab supports Adonijah as king

Joab supported Adonijah when he was exalting himself, saying "I will be king," during King David's old age. He attended the sacrifice at Serpent's Stone near En-rogel and ate, drank, and proclaimed, "Long life King Adonijah!" After the feast, he heard a noise and asked "What does this uproar in the city mean?" Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came and told Adonijah's supporters about Solomon's coronation, and all the guests trembled and rose and went their own ways.

(1 Kings 1)

Solomon executes Joab

David's final instructions to Solomon include, "...you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his wait and on the sandals on his feet. Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace." (1 Kings 2:5-6)

When he heard King Solomon had Adonijah put to death, he fled to the tent of the LORD and caught hold of the horns of the altar. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada came to strike him down. Joab refused to come out and wished to die there, so Solomon ordered Benaiah, "Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him, and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause. The LORD will bright back his bloody deeds on his own head, because, without the knowledge of my father David, he attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself, Abner the son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa, the son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah. So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But for David and for his descendants and for his house and for his throne there shall be peace from the LORD forevermore." Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada left to strike him down. The king put Benaiah over the army in place of Joab. (1 Kings 2:28-25)