Difference between revisions of "Joab"

<p> ("Jehovah father".) </p> <p> '''1.''' Oldest of the three sons of Zeruiah, David's sister. The father is not named; his sepulchre was in [[Bethlehem]] (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:32). Revengeful and bold as his brother Abishai, at the same time more able as a statesman (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:18; &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:22; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:27). Early joined David, whose family and relatives were not safe from Saul (&nbsp;1 Samuel 22:3-4; &nbsp;1 Samuel 26:6). [[Became]] "captain of the host." [[Abishai]] is mentioned in David's flight before Saul; but [[Joab]] not until after Saul's death. Then, commanding David's servants, Joab encountered [[Abner]] at the pool of [[Gibeon]] by the challenge of the latter, and defeated him with the loss of only 19 men. Up to Abner's involuntary slaughter of the fleet-footed Asahel, Abner's relations with Joab had been not unkindly. Joab, at Abner's appeal to his generosity, the Benjamites having rallied round the fleeing chief, forbore to press the vanquished to extremities. He added further (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:27), "unless thou hadst spoken (challenged to combat, &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:14) surely then in the morning the people would have gone away every one from following his brother," i.e. there would have been no such fratricidal strife at all. </p> <p> But Joab cherished revenge for his brother's death; and on his return front pursuing a troop, finding that Abner had been favorably received by David, he broke out into a reproof of the king as though Abner had come as a spy; then by messengers recalled the unsuspecting general, and, taking him aside at the gateway of [[Hebron]] as if for a peaceable conversation, treacherously stabbed him. [[Jealousy]] of a possible rival in David's favor probably was an additional incentive. David, deeply grieved, prayed that the guilt and its penalty might ever rest on Joab and his house, and constrained Joab to appear at the funeral with rent clothes and in sackcloth. Yet David felt himself powerless to punish Joab and his brother; "these men, the sons of Zeruiah, be too hard for me," at once necessary to him and too formidable to provoke. He left the punishment with the Lord (&nbsp;2 Samuel 3:39, compare &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:7). Joab speedily attained the command in chief by his being first gallantly to scale the [[Jebusite]] stronghold and drive out the enemy. </p> <p> Then he was employed by David to aid him in fortifying the stronghold which became "the city of David" (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 11:4-8). Joab had an armour-bearer, [[Nahari]] the [[Beerothite]] (&nbsp;2 Samuel 23:37), and ten young men as bearers of his equipment (&nbsp;2 Samuel 18:15). He had a lordly title (&nbsp;2 Samuel 11:11), "my lord ... general of the king's army" (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:34). Besides his usual residence at [[Jerusalem]] Joab had a house and barley fields in the country not far from the capital (&nbsp;2 Samuel 14:30; &nbsp;1 Kings 2:34); and "he was buried in his own house in the wilderness," probably that of Judah, as Joab's mother, David's step sister, would naturally dwell near Bethlehem. However, Absalom's residence next Joab seems rather to point to the N. near Baalhazor (&nbsp;2 Samuel 13:23; &nbsp;2 Samuel 14:30; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:54). (See [[Baalhazor]] .) In the war with Ammon, undertaken to avenge the indignity offered David's ambassadors by Hanun, Joab defeated Ammon's ally the [[Syrians]] while Abishai was defeating the Ammonites. </p> <p> His exhortation before the battle was worthy of a better man: "be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good" (&nbsp;2 Samuel 10:12). Bad men may utter good religious sentiments; practice is the test. David gave the final blow to the rallying Syrians with their brethren from beyond [[Euphrates]] under Shobach, Hadarezer's captain. Joab, after David's defeat of [[Edom]] in the Valley of Salt (&nbsp;2 Samuel 8:13-14), was six months engaged in slaying the [[Edomite]] males, in revenge for their invasion of [[Israel]] in David's absence (&nbsp;1 Kings 11:15-16; Psalm 44); his first care was to bury the [[Israelites]] slain during the invasion by Edom. The victory over Edom is variously attributed to David as king, to Joab as commander in chief, who slew 12,000, and to Abishai, who slew 6,000, under Joab (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 18:12). Psalm 60 (title) was composed by David after he had beaten [[Aram]] of the two floods (Naharaim); this victory the psalmist takes as an earnest that the expedition setting out to occupy Edom would succeed; compare &nbsp;Psalms 60:8-9; &nbsp;Psalms 60:12, with &nbsp;2 Samuel 8:14. </p> <p> So terrible was Joab's name to Edom that their prince [[Hadad]] did not venture to return from Egypt until he knew "that Joab the captain of the host was dead" (&nbsp;1 Kings 11:21-22). The completion of the war with [[Ammon]] was due to Joab who, going forth at the beginning of the next year, took [[Rabbah]] the lower city on the river (2 Samuel 11-12). Joab loyally and magnanimously desired David to come and take the acropolis on the N.W., commanding the rest of the city, that the general might not receive the glory which ought to belong to the king. Joab showed a wickedly unscrupulous fidelity as David's tool for murdering Uriah, by setting him in the forefront to encounter a sortie from the city, and then deserting him. Joab thus was in possession of the awful secret of the king, and henceforth exercised an almost complete sway over him (&nbsp;2 Samuel 19:7). David could no longer revenge Abner's blood on his own accomplice in the murder of Uriah. </p> <p> Joab next, by the wise woman of [[Tekoa]] and her parable, induced the king to restore Absalom, which Joab saw was David's own wish, though justice constrained him to severity. He thus at once ingratiated himself with the reigning king, and with [[Absalom]] his probable successor, one less likely to punish Joab for murdering Abner than Solomon. David discerned Joab's hand in the Tekoan woman's application. Like the clever schemes of bad men generally, the issue baffled his calculations. Absalom with characteristic recklessness, when he failed to induce Joab to come to him, set fire to his barley and so forced Joab to mediate for his admission to the king's presence. The rebel son was slain by Joab himself, and Joab did not escape his own condign punishment (&nbsp;Job 8:13-19). Possibly Joab at first was disposed to join the rebel; but Absalom's appointment of [[Amasa]] to the command "instead of Joab" determined Joab's course (&nbsp;2 Samuel 17:25), and made him thenceforward bitter against Absalom, so that after thrusting three darts through his heart he had his corpse cast into a pit and heaped with stones. </p> <p> [[Aware]] of the anguish the act would cause David, Joab restrained [[Ahimaaz]] who was eager to carry the tidings to the king. The grief of David was overwhelming, and was only restrained by Joab's indignant warning that, unless he went forth and spoke encouragingly to his victorious soldiers, all would desert him. David stung by his disrespectful plainness, and feeling that Joab if his own interest was at stake was as little to be depended on as the adversary just defeated, appointed Amasa to supersede Joab. But Amasa was as dilatory as Joab was prompt. David therefore, when Sheba's rebellion broke out, had to send Abishai to pursue the rebel at once, with Joab's men and all the mighty men. Joab, meeting Amasa at the great stone in Gibeon, pretended to kiss him in friendship, holding his beard with the right hand, and then stabbed him with the sword in his left hand. Jealousy made this "bloody and deceitful man" reckless what blood he shed when a rival came across his path. </p> <p> One of Joab's aides de camp stood by the corpse and invited all to follow Joab; but all stood still at the ghastly sight. Then he removed the body out of the highway, and cast a cloth over it; so the people moved on, and Joab resumed the chief command, with the blood of the treacherously murdered victim still upon his girdle and sandals (&nbsp;1 Kings 2:5), David felt himself powerless to punish him (&nbsp;2 Samuel 23:6-7). Joab so effectively besieged [[Abel]] of [[Beth]] [[Maachah]] that the townsmen were glad to save their town by sacrificing Sheba, throwing his head, at the suggestion of a wise woman in the town, over the wall to Joab. He was adverse to David's command to him to number the people, "why will he (or else it) be a cause of trespass to Israel?" i.e., why by seeking thine own glory in the power and resources of thy kingdom wilt thou bring the penalty from God upon Israel? Dissatisfaction too might be bred among the people. Joab was therefore slow in executing the command, so [[Levi]] and [[Benjamin]] had not been counted when David revoked the command before the census was complete (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:2; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:6; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:24; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:1 Samuel 24). </p> <p> [[Conscience]] at times works on the most daring, as in this case. Joab even dedicated of the spoils won in battle to maintain the house of the Lord (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 26:27-28). But the true character soon showed itself again, and even the worldly sagacity which heretofore had kept him on the winning side in the end forsook him, for with [[Abiathar]] Joab joined in Adonijah's rebellion, and Solomon, by David's dying charge, had him slain at the altar of Gibeon where he had fled for sanctuary, but which afforded no protection to a treacherous murderer (&nbsp;Exodus 21:14). The curse of David and of [[Solomon]] doubtless pursued his descendants also (&nbsp;2 Samuel 3:29; &nbsp;1 Kings 2:33). [[Enrogel]] is still called "the well of Job" (Joab) from his share in Adonijah's coronation there. For the spiritual lesson of his history see &nbsp;Ecclesiastes 8:11-13. </p> <p> '''2.''' Son of Seraiah. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:14. "Father (founder) of the valley of Charashim," i.e. craftsmen; "for they (Joab's descendants) were craftsmen." This valley was a little N. of Jerusalem (&nbsp;Nehemiah 11:35). Tradition represented (Jerome, Quaest. [[Hebrew]] in Paralip.) that the temple architects were chosen from his sons. </p> <p> '''3.''' Head of a numerous family which returned from [[Babylon]] with [[Zerubbabel]] (&nbsp;Ezra 2:6; &nbsp;Ezra 8:9; &nbsp;Nehemiah 7:11). Joab's and Jeshua's sons were probably, in the registration of those who returned, represented by the sons of Pahath Moab, so instead of "of" translated "for (i.e. representing) the sons of [[Jeshua]] and Moab." </p>

<p> It seems that Joab and his brothers were among the several hundred people who joined David during his flight from Saul. The private army that David formed from these people later became the central fighting force in his royal army (&nbsp;1 Samuel 22:1-2; &nbsp;1 Samuel 26:6; &nbsp;1 Samuel 30:9; &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:13). (For map covering the region of David’s activities see [[David]] .) </p> <p> In the two-year civil war that followed Saul’s death, Joab quickly established himself as David’s military leader (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:28). He was also a close relative of David (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:13-16). When Saul’s former commander, Abner, defected to David, Joab saw him as a threat and murdered him. Joab used the excuse that he was retaliating because Abner had killed his brother in battle. But David saw it as murder and never forgave Joab (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:12-23; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:23-39; &nbsp;1 Kings 2:5-6). </p> <p> Not long after these events, David became undisputed king of Israel. In response to David’s declaration that he wanted to take Jerusalem from its [[Canaanite]] inhabitants, Joab led a victorious assault on the city and was rewarded by being appointed commander-in-chief of the [[Israelite]] army (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 11:6; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 18:15). He was a clever, brave and loyal soldier (&nbsp;2 Samuel 10:6-19; &nbsp;2 Samuel 11:1; &nbsp;2 Samuel 12:262Sa_11:6-25). </p> <p> When, as a consequence of David’s wrongdoing, his family started to break up, Joab tried to preserve the dynasty by ensuring that there was a recognized heir to the throne. He considered that the most suitable of David’s sons for the position was Absalom, but Absalom had committed murder and fled to a neighbouring country. Joab therefore worked out a clever plan that enabled Absalom to return from exile without having to stand trial (&nbsp;2 Samuel 14:1-24). </p> <p> Once back in Jerusalem, Absalom heartlessly used Joab to pursue his own ambitions (&nbsp;2 Samuel 14:28-33). When Absalom rebelled against David and seized the throne, Joab again upheld David. He brought the rebellion to a swift end by killing Absalom, even though it was against David’s wishes (&nbsp;2 Samuel 18:2; &nbsp;2 Samuel 18:5; &nbsp;2 Samuel 18:9-16). He then rebuked David for his lack of gratitude to those who had saved him (&nbsp;2 Samuel 19:1-8). </p> <p> Upon resuming his rule in Jerusalem, David appointed Absalom’s general, Amasa, chief of the army in place of Joab. This was clearly unfair to Joab, who had been loyal to David and won him the victory (&nbsp;2 Samuel 19:13). Soon there was another uprising against David. When Amasa proved himself to be a poor leader, Joab murdered him and took control of the army as of old (&nbsp;2 Samuel 20:4-10; &nbsp;2 Samuel 20:23). </p> <p> In the palace conflict to decide which son would succeed the ageing David as king, Joab supported [[Adonijah]] in opposition to Solomon, who was David’s choice (&nbsp;1 Kings 1:5-8; &nbsp;1 Kings 1:13; &nbsp;1 Kings 1:19; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 28:5). On becoming king, Solomon executed Joab. A violent death seemed a fitting end for one whose life had been marked by so many acts of violence (&nbsp;1 Kings 2:28-35). </p>

<p> '''Jo'ab.''' ''(Whose Father Is Jehovah).'' </p> <p> 1. The most remarkable of the three nephews of David, the children of Zeruiah, David's sister. (B.C. 1053-1012). Joab first appears after David's accession to the throne at Hebron. Abner slew in battle, Asahel, the youngest brother of Joab; and when David afterward received Abner into favor, Joab treacherously murdered him. ''See '' [[Abner]] ''.'' </p> <p> There was now no rival left in the way of Joab's advancement, and at the siege of Jebus, he was appointed for his prowess, commander-in-chief - "captain of the host." In the wide range of wars which David undertook, Joab was the acting general. He was called by the almost regal title of "lord," &nbsp;2 Samuel 11:11 "the prince of the king's army." &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:34. </p> <p> In the entangled relations, which grew up in David's domestic life, he bore an important part, successfully reinstating Absalom in David's favor, after the murder of Amnon. &nbsp;2 Samuel 14:1-20. When the relations between father and son were reversed by the revolt of Absalom, Joab remained true to the king, taking the rebel prince's dangerous life in spite of David's injunction to spare him, and when no one else had courage to act so decisive a part. &nbsp;2 Samuel 18:2; &nbsp;2 Samuel 18:11-15. (B.C. 1023). </p> <p> The king transferred the command to Amasa, which so enraged Joab, that he adroitly assassinated Amasa, when pretending to welcome him as a friend. &nbsp;2 Samuel 20:10. [[Friendly]] relations between himself and David seem to have existed afterward, &nbsp;2 Samuel 24:2, but at the close of his long life, his loyalty, so long unshaken, at last wavered. </p> <p> "Though he had not turned after Absalom, he turned after Adonijah." &nbsp;1 Kings 2:28. This probably filled up the measure, of the king's long-cherished resentment. The revival of the pretensions of Adonijah, after David's death was sufficient to awaken the suspicions of Solomon. Joab fled to the shelter of the altar at Gibeon, and was here slain by Benaiah. (B.C. about 1012). </p> <p> 2. One of Kenaz's descendants. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:14; &nbsp;Ezra 2:6; &nbsp;Ezra 8:9; &nbsp;Nehemiah 7:11. </p>

<p> [[Joab]] ( ''Jô'Ab'' ), whose ''Father Is Jehovah.'' 1. The son of Zeruiah, and nephew of David, and commander-in-chief of his army. He was an accomplished warrior, but a most unscrupulous man. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:16; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 11:6. He treacherously assassinated Abner. &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:23; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:27. When Absalom rebelled Joab adhered to David; and contrary to express orders he put Absalom to death. &nbsp;2 Samuel 18:14. David then made Amasa general of his army, but Joab was so offended that he also assassinated Amasa, as he had done Abner. &nbsp;2 Samuel 20:10. Joab combined in the plot to set Adonijah on the throne, in defiance of the will of David, who had, by divine direction, resolved to make Solomon king. &nbsp;1 Kings 2:28. After the death of David, Joab was slain at the altar, whither he had fled for protection; and was buried in his own domain in the wilderness. &nbsp;2 Kings 2:5-25. 2. A descendant of Judah. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:14. 3. One whose posterity returned from exile. &nbsp;Ezra 2:6; &nbsp;Ezra 8:9; &nbsp;Nehemiah 7:11. </p>

<li> &nbsp;Ezra 2:6 . <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton [[M.A., DD]]  Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Joab'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/j/joab.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> was the son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and brother to Abishai and Asahel. He was one of the most valiant soldiers and greatest generals in David's time; but he was also cruel, revengeful, and imperious. He performed great services for David, to whose interests he was always firm, and was commander-in-chief of his troops, when David was king of Judah only. His history is related in the second book of Samuel and the first book of Kings. See [[David]] , See [[Abner]] , and See [[Amasa]] . </p>

<p> Jo`ab (God-fathered), one of the three sons of Zeruiah, the sister of David, and 'captain of the host' (generalissimo) of the army during nearly the whole of David's reign. </p> <p> He first appears associated with his two brothers, Abishai and Asahel, in the command of David's troops against Abner, who had set up the claims of a son of Saul in opposition to those of David, who then reigned in Hebron. The armies having met at the pool of Gibeon, a general action was brought on, in which Abner was worsted. In his flight he had the misfortune to kill Joab's brother, the swift-footed Asahel, by whom he was pursued . The consequences of this deed have been explained elsewhere [[[Abner; Asahel]]]  Joab smothered for a time his resentment against the shedder of his brother's blood; but being whetted by the natural rivalry of position between him and Abner, he afterwards made it the instrument of his policy by treacherously, in the act of friendly communication, slaying Abner, at the very time when the services of the latter to David, to whom he had then turned, had rendered him a most dangerous rival to him in power and influence . That Abner had at first suspected that Joab would take the position of blood-avenger [BLOOD-REVENGE] is clear, from the apprehension which he expressed : but that he thought that Joab had, under all the circumstances, abandoned this position, is shown by the unsuspecting readiness with which he went aside with him and that Joab placed his murderous act on the footing of vengeance for his brother's blood, is plainly stated in; by which it also appears that the other brother, Abishai, shared in some way in the deed and its responsibilities. At the same time, as Abner was perfectly justified in slaying [[Asahel]] to save his own life, it is very doubtful if Joab would ever have asserted his right of blood-revenge if Abner had not appeared likely to endanger his influence with David. The king, much as he reprobated the act, knew that it had a sort of excuse in the old customs of blood-revenge, and he stood habitually too much in awe of his impetuous and able nephew to bring him to punishment, or even to displace him from his command. 'I am this day weak,' he said, 'though anointed king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, be too hard for me' . </p> <p> [[Desirous]] probably of making some atonement before David and the public for this atrocity, in a way which at the same time was most likely to prove effectual—namely, by some daring exploit—he was the first to mount to the assault at the storming of the fortress on Mount Sion, which had remained so long in the hands of the Jebusites. By this service he acquired the chief command of the army of all Israel, of which David was by this time king . </p> <p> It is not necessary to trace the subsequent acts of Joab, seeing that they are in fact the public acts of the king he served. And he served him faithfully; for although he knew his power over David, and often treated him with little ceremony, there can be no doubt that he was most truly devoted to his interests, and sometimes rendered him good service even against his own will, as in the affair at [[Mahanaim]] . But Joab had no principles apart from what he deemed his duty to the king and the people, and was quite as ready to serve his master's vices as his virtues, so long as they did not interfere with his own interests, or tended to promote them by enabling him to make himself useful to the king. His ready apprehension of the king's meaning in the matter of Uriah, and the facility with which he made himself the instrument of the murder, and of the hypocrisy by which it was covered, are proofs of this, and form as deep a stain upon his character as his own murders . As Joab was on good terms with Absalom, and had taken pains to bring about a reconciliation between him and his father, we may set the higher value upon his firm adhesion to David when Absalom revolted, and upon his stern sense of duty to the king—from whom he expected no thanks—displayed in putting an end to the war by the slaughter of his favorite son, when all others shrunk from the responsibility of doing the king a service against his own will . In like manner, when David unhappily resolved to number the people, Joab discerned the evil, and remonstrated against it; and although he did not venture to disobey, he performed the duty tardily and reluctantly, to afford the king an opportunity of reconsidering the matter, and took no pains to conceal how odious the measure was to him . David was certainly ungrateful for the services of Joab, when, in order to conciliate the powerful party which had supported Absalom, he offered the command of the host to Amasa, who had commanded the army of Absalom . But the inefficiency of the new commander, in the emergency which the revolt of Bichri's son produced, arising perhaps from the reluctance of the troops to follow their new leader, gave Joab an opportunity of displaying his superior resources, and also of removing his rival by a murder very similar to, and in some respects less excusable and more foul than, that of Abner [AMASA]. Besides, Amasa was his own cousin, being the son of his mother's sister . </p> <p> When David lay on his death-bed, and a demonstration was made in favor of the succession of the eldest surviving son, Adonijah, whose interests had been compromised by the preference of the young Solomon, Joab joined the party of the natural heir. It would be unjust to regard this as a defection from David. It was nothing more or less than a demonstration in favor of the natural heir, which, if not then made, could not be made at all. But an act which would have been justifiable, had the preference of Solomon been a mere caprice of the old king, became criminal as an act of contumacy to the [[Divine]] king, the real head of the government, who had called the house of David to the throne, and had the sole right of determining which of its members should reign. When the prompt measures taken under the direction of the king rendered this demonstration abortive , Joab withdrew into private life till some time after the death of David, when the fate of Adonijah, and of Abiathar—whose life was only spared in consequence of his sacerdotal character—warned Joab that he had little mercy to expect from the new king. He fled for refuge to the altar; but when Solomon heard this, he sent Benaiah to put him to death; and, as he refused to come forth, gave orders that he should be slain even at the altar. Thus died one of the most accomplished warriors and unscrupulous men that Israel ever produced. His corpse was removed to his domain in the wilderness of Judah, and buried there, B.C. 1015 . </p>