David was ancient Israel’s most beloved king. But the tragic story of his top military commander invites an exploration into the hazards of extreme loyalty. Tasked with protecting David personally as well as the interests of his kingdom, Joab ruthlessly eliminated threats to the throne. But though his loyalty never wavered, when David began issuing commands that were clearly against his own kingdom’s interests, Joab’s obedience did. On his deathbed, David called for the general who had served him devotedly for more than four decades to be executed.
Joab Joined David When He Was Running From Saul
The story of David begins when the prophet Samuel surreptitiously anoints him as king in his family’s home, setting in motion a conflict with Israel’s reigning king that would later burgeon into a civil war.
David famously came under Saul’s employ as his musician and personal armor bearer as a young man. But when Saul’s jealousy and fear of David’s influence become murderous, David is forced to flee into the wilderness.
David spent over a decade as King Saul’s fugitive. The Bible says that, early in this period of his life, a ragtag band of followers formed around him composed mostly of other fugitives. Members of David’s family, who were also surely in danger of Saul’s wrath, also joined David. Among these were David’s three nephews by his paternal aunt Zeruiah: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. All three became fearless and dependable warriors for David during his fugitive years, and stayed in his service after he was crowned king.
Joab’s Brother Asahel Was Killed by Abner, Saul’s General
Saul had set up his capital in the Benjamite city of Gibeah, north of Jerusalem. But when he loses to the Philistines and dies in battle, his surviving family is forced across the Jordan River. According to the Bible, Abner, who had been Saul’s general, establishes one of Saul’s surviving sons, who is named Ish-Bosheth, as Israel’s king in the city of Mahanaim, in the region of Gilead. David, meanwhile, is enthroned in Hebron, in Judah, and a civil war ensues.
During the first battle, Asahel tries to kill Abner. But Abner brutally slays Asahel instead, using the blunt end of his spear. Joab fails to overtake Abner as he and his army flee and, thus, must postpone revenge for his brother.
Israel continues as two separate, battling kingdoms for the next seven and a half years, with David reigning over Judah and Ish-Bosheth reigning over the remainder of Israel that had kept its loyalty for the house of Saul.
Joab Is Avenged of His Brother’s Killing
The Bible says that, as David’s kingdom grew stronger, Ish-Bosheth’s grew weaker as time went on. Though Abner had been deeply loyal to Saul, his dedication was not without limit. When Ish-Bosheth accuses Abner of having intercourse with one of Saul’s previous wives—which would constitute an act of rebellion—Abner decides to defect to David’s side and vows to help him subsume all of Israel under his rule. When Abner arrives in Hebron, David receives him with a welcome feast, celebrating their new alliance. But Joab is not present.
When Joab returns, he is furious with David for having let the brilliant general of his nemesis go free. Persuaded that Abner had manipulated David and secretly intended to overthrow him, Joab sends messengers to call Abner back to Hebron. As he arrives, Joab lures him aside, then summarily stabs his brother’s killer in the stomach. David curses Joab for this but, nevertheless, retains him in his army.
Joab Was Frustrated By David’s Relationship with His Sons
Joab’s loyalty, drive, and unparalleled skill as a military leader had been demonstrated clearly enough during his many years of service to David that, by the time David finally established himself as king over a united Israel, Joab was made chief commander of his entire army. According to the Bible, Joab went on to lead Israel alongside David in stunning victories over Philistine, Syrian, Moabite, Edomite, and other enemy forces.
But Joab’s successes against David’s foreign enemies would be quickly overshadowed by his inability to navigate David’s dangerously tumultuous family relationships.
When David’s oldest son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar, Absalom, David’s third son by another wife and the full brother of Tamar, leads his other brothers in murdering Amnon in revenge. Absalom flees. But Joab (perhaps empathizing with Absalom, being himself a stickler for street justice), cleverly persuades David to allow Absalom to return to the palace. However, David refuses to speak with his son for two years.
Absalom Became a Thorn in Joab’s Side
With ambitions to be the next king, Absalom knew that it must appear to the Israelites that he and his father were on good terms. But with David refusing to speak with him, he decided to bet on Joab’s influence to force an invitation into the palace. To get Joab’s attention, who by this time was also ignoring him, Absalom orders his servants to set one of Joab’s barley fields on fire. Joab appreciates the depth of Absalom’s resolve, and asks David to relent.
But Absalom’s motive in meeting with David, as the story is told, is merely for the sake of appearance. As soon as he leaves his father’s presence, he begins to build himself a following by cultivating the people’s grievances with David and promising justice under his own rule. Finally, he declares himself king in Hebron, and appoints Amasa, another of David’s nephews, commander over the army instead of Joab.
Joab Killed Absalom
Ironically, Absalom’s coup forced David and all who remained loyal to him to flee from Jerusalem to Mahanaim, the very place his former rival Ish-Bosheth had been enthroned.
Joab, as the leader of David’s army, was obliged to seek David’s return to power in Jerusalem. But he was put in a difficult position when David commanded him not to harm Absalom. As the saga unfolds, the armies of Absalom and David meet in a forest of Ephraim. But as Absalom is riding through the forest, his flowing hair—a complement to his striking good looks—gets caught in the branches of a tree. His frightened mule leaves him hanging there, where Joab’s men find him.
Dutifully aware of David’s command not to harm Absalom, the men report to Joab that Absalom is stuck by his hair in a tree. Joab declares his intention to ignore David’s command, and thrusts three javelins through the prince’s dangling body.
David Advised Solomon to Execute Joab
With Absalom dead, David was able to return to Jerusalem. But while David was eager to bring the conflict to an end, Joab saw Amasa as a threat. Once again in defiance of David’s wishes yet with David’s protection in mind, Joab called Amasa aside and, just like he had done to Abner, pulled a sword without warning and killed him.
Despite Joab’s lifelong commitment to David, David had grown resentful toward him by the end of his life. On his deathbed, he advises Solomon to put his life to an end.
The story of the end of David’s life is full of intrigue. Joab seems to assume that David’s son Adonijah, who was older than Solomon, would succeed him as on the throne, and therefore joins in the celebration when Adonijah is declared king as David lies dying. But Adonijah was actually a usurper. To the surprise of all outside the palace, David endorses Solomon as king instead.
Joab Is Killed Inside the Tabernacle
Due to David’s choice of Solomon, Joab’s support for Adonijah becomes an act of rebellion, giving Solomon the excuse he needs to have Joab killed. Solomon sends a man named Benaiah, later to become his own general, to summon Joab to answer for himself.
Knowing his fate, Joab desperately runs into the Tabernacle, Israel’s place of sacrifice and worship, and clings to the horns that decorate the edges of its huge altar, perhaps hoping that fear of defiling the holy place would save his life. When the report reaches Solomon, however, he tells Benaiah to simply slay Joab there, at the base of the altar.
David had no more loyal subject than Joab. Joab, in fact, even helped David commit the crime of having Uriah killed. But in the end, David could not overlook Joab’s penchant for taking vengeance into his own hands. He wanted a type of obedience that was unlikely to come from a passionate character like Joab.
