Joab

JOAB, the son of Zeruiah, David’s sister, and brother to Abishai, and Asahel. Joab was one of the most valiant men, and greatest generals in David’s time; but then he was one of the most cruel, revengeful, and imperious men of his age. He performed some great services for David, and was always firm to his interests. He was commander in chief of his troops, when as yet he was no more than king of Judah. The first action recorded in Scripture, wherein he 2 Sam. ii. 13,14,&c.signalized himself, was that of the battle of Gibeon against Abner, the principal person in Ishbosheth, the son of Saul’s party¹. The advantage was entirely on Joab’s side; but Asahel his brother was killed in the manner related by us in the article Asahel, and in that of Abner. To revenge his death, Joab treacherously killed Abner, who came to Hebron, in order to make an alliance with David, and reduce all Israel to his obedience. David abhorred so base an action; but did not dare to 2 Sam. iii. 27,39. 2 Sam. xi. 12.punish Joab for it, who was become in some sort formidable to him.

After David had been acknowledged king by all Israel², he laid siege to Jerusalem, and promised to make him Captain General of his armies, who should first mount the walls, and beat off the Jebusites. 1 Chr. xi. 16.Joab was the first who appeared upon the walls, and by his valour very well deserved to be continued in an imployment, which he was already possessed of. He had a principal share in the Wars which David carried on against the Syrians and Edomites. He subdued the Ammonites, and procured the destruction of the brave Uriah at the siege of Rabbah their Capital. It was he who interceeded for Absalom’s return from exile, and prevailed with David to receive this young Prince again into his good graces, and permit him to have the honour of appearing at court as formerly. But altho he shewed himself to be very much a friend to Absalom in his disgrace; he was as much his enemy after his rebellion. 2 Sam. xviii. 1, 2, 3—13,14. 2 Sam. xix. 5, 6.He overcame him in a set battle near Mahanaim; and being informed that he hung by the neck upon an Oak, he pierced him through with his own hands, and killed him, though he very well knew, that David had given contrary orders, to him in particular, and to the whole army, to preserve his son Absalom. And when the king discovered too much sorrow for the death of his son, Joab ventured to say, in no very respectful manner, You have confounded all your servants with shame, who have exposed their lives to preserve yours, your wives, and childrens: you love those who hate you, and do not love your friends. You have this day shewn us, that you have no consideration for your Officers and Soldiers; and that if Absalom had lived, and we had all perished in the battle, you would have been overjoyed. Rise therefore immediately, shew your self, and speak to your servants; otherwise I swear by the Lord to you, that not a man will remain with you this night, and that you will be in greater danger than ever you was.

David resented Joab’s insolence; but was not in a condition to reprimand him in the manner he desired. When Sheba the son of Bichri began to set up the standard of rebellion, and the people generally resorted to him, David commanded Amasa³; to get some troops together in the Tribe of Judah, 2 Sam. xx. 3,4,5,&c. 2 Sam. xx. 19,20,21. &c. 2 Sam. xx. 23.and pursue him; thus excluding Joab, who had been till then Commander in chief of all the forces of Israel. But Amasa being a little too slow in coming, David directed Abishai, Joab’s brother, to pursue Sheba. Joab accompanied him with the Cherethites and Pelethites of the King’s guard. Amasa arrived soon after, and being on his way to join Abishai and Joab at Gibeon, Joab making as if he would kiss him, plunged his poniard in his belly. Thus died Amasa, who was to have been General of the Troops of Israel. Joab brought the war with Sheba to a very happy conclusion, without risking a battle, or exposing the Kings troops; because they threw the head of Sheba to him over the walls of Abela, which he was preparing to besiege. He returned to Jerusalem, and David left him the general command of his armies, probably in consideration of the great service which he had just then been doing him.

When David by the impulse of an evil Spirit, and a curiosity which was blameable⁴, undertook to number his people; he gave Joab a commission to this purpose. He did all he could to divert the King from this resolution; but being obliged to obey, he did so, not without regret, and executed what the king had commanded, in part only. David 1 Chr. xxi. 6.himself acknowledged his fault, and God punished him for it in a very severe manner.

1 Kings i. 1,2,3,4. &c.Adonijah David’s son, observing himself after the death of Absalom to be the eldest of the royal family, considered how he might procure himself to be acknowledged King. David was very much advanc’d in years, and concerned himself but little with the affairs of Government. People 1 Kings ii. 5, 6, 7.were not ignorant of his design to leave the Crown to Solomon: but as this Prince was as yet very young, Adonijah flattered himself, that with the assistance of a powerful party, which he had formed, he might be able to exclude him, and get into the throne of Israel. He took care principally to engage Joab General of the army, and Abiathar the High-Priest, in his interest; and at a great entertainment, which he made near the fountain of Siloam for the leaders of his party, he was saluted King by them⁵. But David having been seasonably informed of what had passed, ordered Solomon to be crowned, and anointed by the High-Priest Zadok, and the Prophet Nathan, and placed him on the throne in the view of all the people. Adonijah, upon receiving this news fled to the Temple, as a sanctuary, and Joab with the rest retired to their houses.

Joab by this last step made David more and more averse to him, so that perceiving himself sometime after to be near his end⁶, he said to Solomon, Thou knowest in what manner Joab the son of Zerviah has treated me, and what he did to the the two Generals of the army of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he assassinated, and whose blood he shed in time of peace, with as little remorse as if he had been actually at war with them. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let him not in his old age go down in peace to the grave. Some time after the death of David, Joab being informed that the young King had caused Adonijah to be put to death, who had desired Abishag of him for his wife, and that he had banished the High-Priest Abiathar to his country-house at Anathoth, thought it high time to provide for his own security: he fled therefore into the Temple, and laid hold on the horns of the Altar, in order to preserve his life. But Solomon did not think the privilege of the Sanctuary a just obstacle to his design of putting him to death. He sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, who required him to quit his asylum; but Joab answering that he would not, and would die upon the spot, Solomon gave orders for dispatching him at the foot of the Altar, which were accordingly executed. Thus died Joab. He was buried by Benaiah in his own house in the wilderness⁷.

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