Joab

Biblical Record

Joab was the son of Zeruiah, David's sister (1 Chronicles 2:16). His name first appears in 1 Samuel 26:6. Most of his life is recorded in 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1–2, and 1 Chronicles. When David attacked the Jebusites, Joab went up first and so became chief of the army (1 Chronicles 11:6).

The principal events of his life are as follows:

• In the battle at Gibeon, his brother Asahel was killed by Abner, the commander of Saul's forces (2 Samuel 2). Joab later killed Abner when Abner came to make peace with David (2 Samuel 3:27).
• At David's command, he arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle (2 Samuel 11:14-17).
• He sent the woman of Tekoa to bring about the return of Absalom (2 Samuel 14).
• When Absalom rebelled, Joab disregarded David's charge to spare him and killed Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14). He then rebuked David, who was overcome with grief (2 Samuel 19:5-7).
• He killed Amasa, who had been made commander of the army in his place (2 Samuel 20:9-10).
• He opposed David's census but carried it out at the king's command (2 Samuel 24:3-4).
• In his later years he supported Adonijah (1 Kings 1:7). In his final instructions, David charged Solomon to repay Joab for the blood he had shed (1 Kings 2:5-6). Joab fled to the tabernacle and caught hold of the horns of the altar, but he was put to death by Benaiah at Solomon's command (1 Kings 2:28-34).

Significance Within Scripture

Joab contributed greatly to establishing and defending David's kingdom. Yet David also lamented, "these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me" (2 Samuel 3:39). The account in Kings presents Joab's death as retribution for the innocent blood he had shed. Joab is not mentioned in the New Testament.

Interpretations and Debates

Views of Joab fall broadly into two camps. One regards him as a loyal servant who made ruthless decisions for the sake of the kingdom. The other sees him as a man who killed to settle personal grudges and to protect his own power. Interpretations of Solomon's execution of Joab also differ. Some read it as just judgment for murders that went unpunished in David's time, while others also see in it an element of political purge aimed at consolidating royal power.

It is often added that David could not punish Joab because Joab knew about the Uriah affair. This is an interpretive inference, not something the text states directly.

In the Korean Church

In preaching, Joab is frequently presented as a man who possessed ability and loyalty but lacked the fear of God and obedience. He is also used as an example when emphasizing the importance of standing on the right side to the end. Sermons commonly refer to his killings of Abner and Amasa and to the scene of his clinging to the horns of the altar.