JOAB jō’ ăb (יﯴאָ֥ב; LXX ̓Ιωὰ̀β, Yahweh is father).
A. Commander-in-chief of David’s armies.
1. Family. The eldest son of Zeruiah, sister of King David, and brother of Abishai and Asahel (2 Sam 2:18f.; 2 Chron 2:16f.), of the tribe of Judah. Joab was, therefore, a nephew of David. Because Zeruiah appears to be one of the older children of Jesse, whereas David was his youngest son, it can be safely construed that Joab and David were near the same age. We are not told who Joab’s father was, but his two brothers were valiant warriors in David’s army. It is interesting to note that Amasa, who replaced Joab as commander of the Israelitish armies on two occasions (2 Sam 17:25; 19:13), was a cousin of Joab and also a nephew of David (1 Chron 2:17).
2. Early military career. Joab apparently joined David’s guerrilla band in the wilderness of Zin, but he is first mentioned in the Bible where he was sent by David with an army against Abner and the followers of the house of Saul. Joab and Abner’s armies met at the pool of Gibeon (2 Sam 2:12ff.). After taking each other’s measure, Abner suggested that twelve young warriors from each army should settle the matter by a test of skill. Joab readily agreed. The young warriors arose and took their positions, but the contest was so evenly matched that all twenty-four men fell together with each man’s sword in the heart of his opponent. This precipitated a battle between the two armies, with Joab’s men routing the soldiers of the house of Saul. As Abner and his men fled, Asahel, brother of Joab, fleet of foot and impetuous, sought to overtake Abner and engage that seasoned veteran in combat. Twice Abner pled with the youth to turn aside. Each time Asahel refused, whereupon Abner, with a backward thrust, drove the butt of his spear through the overconfident warrior so that he died (2 Sam 2:23). With the law of blood revenge (Num 35:19) operating in ancient Israel, it was inevitable that Joab would seek to avenge his brother’s death.
Later, Joab found opportunity to take his revenge on Abner. After the death of Israel’s first king, Abner had been the mainstay of the house of Saul. As commander-in-chief of Saul’s armies, he had enabled Ishbosheth to retain the throne of his father (2 Sam 2:8f.). His task was not an easy one, for the house of Saul was growing constantly weaker. The turning point came when the miserable Ishbosheth accused him of illicit relations with one of his dead father’s concubines (3:6f.). Angered deeply, Abner opened negotiations with David for the purpose of uniting all Israel under David’s leadership (3:12f.). David responded favorably. Abner and a diplomatic corps visited David in Hebron where final arrangements were carefully worked out. After sealing the bargain with a feast, Abner and his men left for home. Shortly after their departure, Joab returned from a frontier skirmish and was informed of what had happened (3:22f.). Joab’s anger blazed hot and strong. He saw all too clearly that the man who had slain his brother might well become his commanding officer. He moved quickly. Messengers were sent in the name of David to overtake Abner and bring him back to Hebron (3:26f.). The king was not aware of Joab’s sinister plot. The unsuspecting Abner returned, and foolishly agreed to speak privately with Joab, who drawing him aside, slew him in the gate of the city. When David heard the sad news, his grief was spontaneous and profuse. He immediately declared himself and his kingdom free of the guilt of so dastardly a deed. Furthermore, he pronounced a curse upon the house of Joab, and became the chief mourner at the funeral of Abner (3:28, 31).
3. Field marshal. With all his ruthlessness, Joab was a brave and ingenious military leader and was completely loyal to David and the emerging Israelitish kingdom. No better example of his military prowess can be found than the part he played in the capture of the city of Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:6f.; 1 Chron 11:4f.). David wanted this excellently fortified city for his capital, and sought to dislodge the Jebusites who had long occupied the fortress. The Jebusites were so overconfident and insulting in their resistance, that David promised the job of field commander to the man who would lead a successful attack against the city. The redoubtable Joab met the king’s challenge. His clever mind devised a scheme that involved the city’s water supply. His ruse was imminently successful and the city was taken. Joab was made field marshal and remained in that position for many years (2 Sam 5:6ff.; 8:16; 20:23; 1 Chron 11:4ff.; 18:15; 27:34).
David often led his own armies to battle, but Joab was his strong right arm. It was Joab who executed David’s plan to destroy the Edomites, cutting off every male in the population (2 Sam 8:13, 14; 1 Kings 11:15, 16). It was Joab who masterminded the defeat of the Syro-Ammonite coalition (2 Sam 10:6-14; 1 Chron 19:6-15). A shrewd tactician, he threw the Syrians (Arameans) into hopeless confusion, while Abishai routed the Ammonites. On a later occasion, Joab directed the armies of Israel against the rebellious sons of Ammon. He ravaged their country and laid siege to Rabbah, their capital (2 Sam 11:1ff.; 1 Chron 20:1ff.). During the siege of Rabbah, Joab was drawn into David’s nefarious scheme to kill Uriah the Hittite. Joab seems to have had no compunction of conscience in putting Uriah at the front of the battle and then withdrawing his support. Later on, when Joab knew that the city was ready to capitulate, he magnanimously asked David to come and take the credit for its surrender (2 Sam 12:26ff.). Although we are not told, there is no doubt that Joab played an outstanding part in the success of the wars that David fought against the Philistines (2 Sam 5:17f.; 8:1), the Moabites (2 Sam 8:2), the king of Zobah (2 Sam 8:3, 4; 1 Chron 18:3ff.), and the Syrians (2 Sam 8:5, 6). There is no record where Joab ever lost a battle.
4. The irrepressible strategist. Joab was a tough realist. His mind was not only quick and incisive, but also calculating and logical. This is evident in his military accomplishments and in his involvement in the problems of the king’s household.
By clever strategy, Joab secured the return of Absalom from the land of Geshur, where the king’s son had fled after slaying Amnon for the rape of his sister Tamar (14:1ff.). He convinced David through the use of the wise woman of Tekoa of the inconsistency of his attitude toward Absalom. As a result David permitted Absalom to return to Jerusalem, but he was not allowed to return to the king’s court. After two years of living in Jerusalem without seeing his father’s face, Absalom decided to do something about the situation (14:28f.). He sent for Joab intending to send him to the king, but Joab, apparently suspecting the purpose of the summons, delayed his response. Absalom sent for Joab a second time, and still he did not come. Finally, Absalom commanded his servants to set fire to Joab’s barley fields, which lay next to his own. This time his efforts proved successful. The matter ended with Joab intervening with David for Absalom. A reconciliation was effected between the king and his son.
In the insurrection of Absalom (15:7), Joab seems to have been caught off guard. Absalom was able to carry a large segment of the king’s standing army with him, but since he did not trust Joab, he made Amasa commander-in-chief in his place (17:25). The next mention of Joab is in David’s camp, but he is not in full command (1 Sam 18:2f.). In deploying his forces against Absalom, David divided them into three groups and placed Joab at the head of only one section, with Abishai and Ittai over the other two. As his men marched away to fight, David gave explicit instruction to his three lieutenants in the hearing of all the people to spare the life of Absalom. In the heat of the battle, however, Joab took over and directed the outcome of the encounter. Although knowing David’s orders, the hardheaded old realist knew that the quickest way to victory was to destroy the treacherous Absalom. The times were harsh, and he did not hesitate to use harsh methods. When the fortunes of war delivered Absalom into his hand, he thrust him through with three darts as he hung by his hair in an oak tree (2 Sam 18:9f.). With Absalom dead, the insurrection ended. Later in the day when David, due to his grief at the death of Absalom, did not so much as thank his splendid fighting men for the victory they had given that day, the unrelenting Joab withstood the king to his face (19:1ff.). Fortunately, the king gave heed to the words of Joab and the situation was saved.
Although Joab brought the insurrection of Absalom to a quick, and perhaps merciful, end, he was not restored to his command. David appointed Amasa as field marshal in his place (19:13). The move was apparently designed to ease political tensions and heal the wounds of a divided nation. It also served to punish Joab for his insubordination in the recent battle. The irrepressible old strategist seemed to accept his demotion without a word, but subsequent events amply indicate that Joab was soon scheming to regain his former position. His opportunity was not long in coming. David was no sooner restored to the throne when a certain Sheba from the tribe of Ephraim raised the cry of revolt against him (20:1ff.). The unity of the kingdom was again threatened. David promptly commanded Amasa to organize and equip an army to pursue Sheba. For some reason Amasa delayed beyond the appointed time. David, knowing that time was of the essence, placed some of his battle-tested warriors under Abishai and sent them on after the rebel leader. Joab was among the soldiers who went with Abishai. At Gibeon, Amasa sought to rejoin his troops. The crafty Joab feigning friendship by taking hold of his beard as though to kiss him, disemboweled the unsuspecting Amasa with one stroke of his sword (20:8f.). Joab then assumed command of the expedition and finally overtook Sheba and destroyed him. Joab thus regained his former position as commander-in-chief of David’s troops (20:23).
At least on one occasion Joab seems to have had a keen sense of what was religiously appropriate. He objected strenuously to David’s plan to take a national census (24:1f.; 1 Chron 21:3). At this point he seems to have had more religious insight than David. In spite of his protests, the king insisted on carrying out his plan, and Joab was commissioned to supervise the project. He spent more than nine months in completing the task. Subsequent events proved him right in his original objections.
5. Decline and death. In the end, Joab was fatally caught up in the intrigue that swirled around the household of David. When it became evident to all that the day of David’s death could not be far away, Adonijah, one of his older sons, sought to claim his father’s throne (1 Kings 1:5f.). Convinced that he was worthy of being king, Joab and Abiathar the high priest threw the weight of their influence behind him. With the support of the commander-in-chief of the king’s troops, and the head of the nation’s religious order, the young prince seemed to have excellent prospects for achieving his objective. All their hopes, however, were doomed to failure. At the supposed coronation of Adonijah, the news came that David had already placed Solomon on the throne of Israel (1:38f.), and his kingship had been confirmed by the people. Adonijah’s attempt had failed, and his followers were marked for destruction by the new king. Joab’s subsequent flight to the horns of the altar of the Tent of Meeting was of no avail (2:28f.). Solomon dispatched Benaiah to execute the old warrior whose deeds of violence, according to the law of blood revenge (Num 35:33), must be visited on his own head before the kingdom could have peace.
This period of history was harsh and primitive, and Joab was a product of his age. He was a decisive, fearless, and intrepid fighter, and a brilliant military strategist. He served his king and his country devotedly. He was generous and loyal to his friends, but utterly ruthless and vindictive toward his foes. He was not completely devoid of religious sentiment, but it played no decisive part in his conduct. He died as he had lived—by the sword.
B. Son of Seraiah. A descendant of Kenaz (younger brother of Caleb, Judg 1:13) of the tribe of Judah. He is the father (founder) of the Geharashim (1 Chron 4:13, 14; cf. Neh 11:35), i.e. (the inhabitants of) the Valley of Craftsmen (smiths), which may be identified with Wadi Arabah.
C. The father of a family in Judah. Some of his descendants returned to Pal. from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:6; Neh 7:11) whereas others returned with Ezra (Ezra 8:9).
Bibliography J. Simons, Jerusalem in the Old Testament (1952), 165ff.; C. H. Gordon, The World of the Old Testament (1958), 173, 176f.; N. Glueck, Rivers in the Desert (1959), 156.