Topical Bible: Murder: Joab

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Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was a prominent military commander in the service of King David. His life and actions are chronicled in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles. Joab is a complex figure, known for his loyalty to David but also for his ruthless and violent actions, including several acts of murder that have significant implications in the biblical narrative.

Murder of Abner

One of Joab's most notorious acts of murder was the killing of Abner, the commander of Saul's army. After the death of Saul, Abner sought to bring the kingdom of Israel under David's rule. Despite Abner's peaceful intentions and a covenant with David, Joab deceitfully lured him back to Hebron and killed him in revenge for the death of his brother Asahel, whom Abner had killed in battle. This act is recorded in 2 Samuel 3:27: "Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway to speak with him privately, and there he stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the blood of Asahel, Joab’s brother."

David publicly distanced himself from Joab's actions, lamenting Abner's death and declaring his own innocence in the matter (2 Samuel 3:28-29). David's lamentation over Abner is a poignant moment, highlighting the king's disapproval of Joab's treachery and the impact of this murder on the unity of Israel.

Murder of Amasa

Joab's second significant act of murder was against Amasa, whom David had appointed as commander of the army in place of Joab. This appointment came after Absalom's rebellion, during which Amasa had served as Absalom's commander. Joab, feeling threatened by Amasa's new position, deceitfully greeted him and then killed him. 2 Samuel 20:9-10 describes the event: "Joab said to Amasa, 'Is it well with you, my brother?' And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa did not notice the sword in Joab’s hand, and Joab struck him in the stomach and spilled his intestines to the ground. He did not need to strike him again, and Amasa died."

This murder further illustrates Joab's willingness to use violence to maintain his power and position, disregarding the king's authority and decisions.

Murder of Absalom

While not a murder in the traditional sense, Joab's killing of Absalom, David's son, during Absalom's rebellion, is another significant act of violence. Despite David's explicit command to deal gently with Absalom, Joab found Absalom hanging by his hair in a tree and killed him, as recorded in 2 Samuel 18:14-15: "Joab said, 'I will not wait like this for you.' So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the oak tree. And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him."

Joab's actions, while militarily expedient, directly contravened David's orders and caused the king great personal grief, highlighting the tension between Joab's loyalty to the kingdom and his disregard for David's personal wishes.

Joab's Death

Joab's life of violence eventually led to his own demise. After David's death, Solomon ascended to the throne and sought to establish his kingdom by dealing with those who had opposed his father or acted treacherously. Joab, having supported Adonijah's claim to the throne over Solomon, was executed on Solomon's orders. 1 Kings 2:31-34 recounts Joab's death: "The king replied, 'Do as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and thus remove from me and my father’s house the guilt of the blood that Joab shed without cause.'"

Joab's life and actions serve as a complex study of loyalty, power, and the consequences of unchecked violence. His murders, while politically motivated, ultimately led to his downfall and serve as a cautionary tale within the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 2:31,32
And the king said to him, Do as he has said, and fall on him, and bury him; that you may take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The King.
... The generosity of his nature and the ideal purity of his love, which that incident
shadows, shine out again in his indignation at Joab's murder of Abner ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... But the empire of David was hardly longer lived. The murder of Joab, and the unwarlike
character and extravagance of Solomon, brought about its downfall. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

Chastisements.
... He has become a mere tool in the hands of his fierce general"and Joab's
hold upon him was his complicity in Uriah's murder. Thus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... for he took care not to appear to have had any hand in this murder, contrary to ... who
hath a regard to all men's actions, will not suffer this man [Joab] to go ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... afforded him a decent pretense, and made that crime a pardonable one; but in this
murder of Amasa there was no such covering for it. Now when Joab had killed ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

The Reign of David.
... but was treacherously killed by Joab. The act of Abner in coming to David was in
reality one of secession. It was soon followed by the murder of Ishbosheth and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... How many ways is murder committed? We may be said to murder another twelve
ways. (1) With the hand; as Joab killed Abner and Amass. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

The Right Understanding of the Law
... wrote a letter to Joab, to set Uriah in the forefront of the battle, and it was
done by his command, he was accessory to Uriah's death, and the murder of him ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/1 4 the right understanding of.htm

God's Banished Ones
... David's good-for-nothing son Absalom had brought about the murder of one of his ... Joab,
the astute Commander-in- chief, a devoted friend of David, saw how the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gods banished ones.htm

David and Nathan
... Joab was the torment of David's later days, and Joab's power over him depended upon
his having been the instrument of Uriah's murder; and so the master of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david and nathan.htm