Most people know the major events in David’s life, especially how he defeated Goliath and eventually became king. Scripture gives interesting details about the people, places, and situations of David's eventful life.
One such character in David's story was Joab, a man who became both an ally and a villain. This complex character worked closely with David throughout his reign. Joab’s influence saved the kingdom at times and threatened it at others.
Who was this man Joab?
What was Joab’s Background and Family?
Joab was David’s nephew, born to Zeruiah, David’s sister. This family connection gave him a direct link to the royal family. Joab, along with his brothers Abishai and Asahel, aligned with David from the beginning while Saul was king. David gave Joab a key position in his administration: namely, the commander of David’s army.
Joab led Israel’s forces during crucial battles and became instrumental in many of David’s military victories. After Saul's death, David first became king of Judah, and Saul’s son reigned over the other tribes of Israel, dividing God’s people. The Bible records Joab’s role as commander during the wars between David’s men and the forces of Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth, in which Joab plays a leading part. His skill as a warrior and tactician made him invaluable to David's efforts to consolidate his kingdom.
The family connection complicated the relationship between Joab and David. David could trust his nephew among warring factions and the difficulty of transitioning from Saul’s reign to his own, and Joab performed admirably as a warrior and commander. At the same time, when Joab acted ruthlessly or disobeyed the king, David didn’t punish or exile Joab as he could have.
What are the Key Moments in Joab’s Life?
Once David became king of all Israel, he wisely sought to conquer Jerusalem, which the Jebusites controlled, to set up a new capital not in Judah or controlled by another tribe. When David called for someone to lead the attack on the Jebusites, Joab responded first. As a result, David again rewarded him by appointing him the commander of his forces (1 Chron. 11:6). From that point forward, Joab led David’s military expeditions.
In one of his major accomplishments, Joab defeated the Ammonites and Syrians (2 Samuel 10). When the Ammonites hired the Syrians to help them fight against Israel, Joab faced a dual-front battle. He displayed tactical wisdom by dividing his forces between himself and his brother Abishai, allowing them to overcome the combined armies of the Ammonites and Syrians. This victory not only secured David’s reign but also demonstrated Joab’s capability as a military leader.
Although Joab was loyal to David, he often acted ruthlessly. For example, Joab murdered Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, who had initially been an enemy of David but later sought to make peace with him. Despite David's agreement with Abner, Joab killed him in revenge for the death of his brother Asahel, whom Abner had slain in battle (2 Samuel 3:27).
Similarly, Joab later murdered David’s son Absalom, despite David’s express instructions to deal gently with him (2 Samuel 18:5,14). Absalom had led a rebellion against his father, and while Joab's killing of Absalom ended the rebellion, it also deepened the strain on his relationship with David, who grieved deeply for his son. Joab’s actions demonstrated his willingness to act independently and make rash decisions, even if they went against the king’s wishes.
After Absalom's coup, David appointed a new commander, Amasa, possibly for political reasons or to punish Joab for killing his son. Later, Joab was also responsible for the death of Amasa (2 Samuel 20). A man of Benjamin, Sheba, led another rebellion in Israel after Absalom’s death, taking advantage of a fractured Israel. David sent his new commander, Amasa, to end this rebellion, but Amasa was failing. Joab seized the opportunity to reclaim his position by killing Amasa, once again using deceit (2 Samuel 20:9-10).
Then Joab led the campaign to capture Sheba, and Sheba fled to the city of Abel Beth Maakah, where Joab’s forces besieged the city. A wise woman from the city negotiated with Joab, asking him to spare the city if they handed over Sheba. Joab agreed to her terms, and the woman convinced the city’s leaders to kill Sheba and throw his head over the wall, ending the rebellion.
Despite the violent and underhanded nature of these killings, Joab remained in his role as commander, further illustrating his dominance within David’s administration.
What Was Joab’s Relationship with David?
Both deep trust and ongoing tension marked the relationship between David and Joan.
Joab played a direct role in the murder of Uriah, which was part of David’s attempt to cover up his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). After David learned of Bathsheba’s pregnancy, he sought to hide his sin by summoning her husband, Uriah, home from the battlefield, hoping that Uriah would sleep with her and assume the child was his. When Uriah’s loyalty to his comrades prevented him from doing so, David enacted a deadly plan.
David instructed Joab to place Uriah at the front lines of the fiercest battle, where he would be most vulnerable, and then to withdraw the troops. Joab followed his plan, leading to Uriah’s death. While Joab was complicit, David’s direct command led to Uriah’s death. Joab, knowing David’s weakness in this instance, held a position of power and influence, having helped David in such a grave cover-up.
David exiled Absalom after Absalom murdered his half-brother. Joab manipulated David into accepting Absalom back by using a clever plan involving a woman from Tekoa (2 Samuel 14). Joab instructed the woman to present a fictional case to David, where her son was in danger of death after killing his brother. After hearing her plea for mercy, David agreed to spare her son. Joab then revealed this was a parable about Absalom’s situation, which prompted David to reconsider and allow Absalom to return from exile.
Later, Absalom led a coup and Joab kills Absalom and ends the rebellion. David intensely mourned Absalom’s death, which began to demoralize his troops who fought so hard against Absalom and his uprising. Joab, seeing the damage being done, confronted David (2 Samuel 19:5-7). Joab harshly rebuked David and urged him to set aside his grief and encourage his men, warning that if David didn’t, his loyal soldiers would abandon him. Joab’s blunt rebuke showed his practical mindset—a concern for the stability of the kingdom, even when it meant confronting David, the king.
Toward the end of David’s reign, the king decided to take a census of Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 24). While David likely wanted to assess military strength, this action displeased God since it reflected a reliance on human numbers rather than on God’s provision and protection. Also, the Old Testament Law gave specific instructions for when a census was permitted (Exodus 30:11-16), which David didn’t attempt to follow. Joab, recognizing the dangers of this decision, strongly advised David against it (2 Samuel 24:3).
Despite Joab’s counsel, David proceeded with the census. Though Joab carried out the king’s order reluctantly, his opposition showed his understanding of the spiritual implications of David’s actions. His willingness to challenge David once again demonstrates his unique position as both a loyal servant and a strong-willed commander who wasn’t afraid to oppose the king when he saw fit.
What Was Joab’s Downfall and Death?
As King David neared the end of his life, questions arose over who would succeed him. While David had privately declared Solomon as his chosen heir (1 Kings 1:13), Adonijah, David’s son, attempted to claim the throne for himself. Adonijah, like his older brother Absalom before him, sought to gather support for his claim to the throne, despite David’s wishes. In 1 Kings 1:5-7, Adonijah gained the backing of key figures in the kingdom, including Joab and Abiathar, the priest.
Joab’s decision to support Adonijah over Solomon marked a crucial turning point. Throughout David’s reign, Joab had been a loyal, though independent and often defiant, servant to the king. However, by aligning with Adonijah, Joab placed himself on the wrong side of the succession battle. Solomon, David’s chosen heir, had the support of Nathan the prophet, Bathsheba (Solomon’s mother), and Zadok the priest, which secured his claim to the throne.
Joab’s decision to back Adonijah can be interpreted as an attempt to secure his own power and influence under the new regime. Perhaps Solomon’s rise to power would threaten Joab’s position due to Joab’s involvement in previous controversies, including the killings of Abner, Amasa, and Absalom. Also, Joab knew the intimate details of Solomon’s birth—the king’s affair and murder. He may have seen Solomon as illegitimate. By supporting Adonijah, Joab may have hoped to retain his military leadership, but this decision ultimately led to his downfall.
After Adonijah’s failed attempt to seize the throne, Solomon ascended to power with David’s blessing. One of Solomon’s first actions as king was to address those who had opposed his rise. While Adonijah initially sought mercy, he later made another attempt to undermine Solomon by requesting Abishag, David’s concubine, as his wife (1 Kings 2:13-25). Solomon saw this as another attempt by Adonijah to lay claim to the throne, and ordered his execution.
With Adonijah dead, Solomon turned his attention to those who had supported the rebellion. Joab, realizing that his life was in danger, fled to the tabernacle and took hold of the horns of the altar, seeking refuge (1 Kings 2:28). However, Solomon was determined to establish justice and solidify his rule. Despite Joab’s attempt to claim sanctuary, Solomon sent Benaiah, the new commander of his army and one of David’s mighty men, to execute Joab. Benaiah struck Joab down, ending the life of one of David’s most loyal and complicated servants.
Ultimately, Joab aligned himself with the wrong cause, even after a lifetime of loyalty and military success. His decision to support Adonijah in his rebellion against Solomon led to the end of his career and his life. Joab’s story teaches us to stay true to what God is doing and not become distracted with human ambition or personal vendettas. God’s will and plan ultimately lead to good, even if we may not see it clearly in the all the time.
Further Reading
Joab, a Ruthless, but Fiercely Loyal Commander
3 Wise Principles for Dealing with Scandals
7 Things We Know about Bathsheba from Her Story in the Bible
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