Why did David want Joab dead?

I’m reading thru the Holy Bible again, and this story regarding David saying to his son Solomon:

1Kings 2:5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, [and] what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that [was] about his loins, and in his shoes that [were] on his feet.
6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.

really bothers me. It has bothered me before, but it really hit me this time that David was completely in the wrong on this matter. Following are my reasons.

But what did Joab do that was bad?

He killed Abner

2Samuel 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

Joab’s brother, Asahel, had been killed by Abner for no good reason – murdered.
2Samuel 2:22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth [rib], that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, [that] as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

2Samuel 3:27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

Joab stabbing Abner

So Joab had killed someone that David did not want killed, but Joab was definitely within his rights, and in fact, commanded to kill Abner according to the Statutes of the Lord:
Numbers 35:18 Or [if] he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he [is] a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
19 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
21 Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote [him] shall surely be put to death; [for] he [is] a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

In any case, Abner was the captain of the enemy’s army, someone who had sought to take David’s life, so it was odd that he trusted him to be peaceful with him suddenly after many years of fighting after his master, Saul, had died.

He killed Amasa

Amasa had been made captain of rebel Absalom’s army:
2Samuel 17:25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa [was] a man’s son, whose name [was] Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.

For some very strange reason, David wanted to make Amasa head of his own army, in place of Joab!
2Samuel 19:13 And say ye to Amasa, [Art] thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

The first task recorded that David gave Amasa was to gather the people together in 3 days in order to go fight rebel Sheba, the son of Bichri. But Amasa couldn’t do it:
2Samuel 20:4 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
5 So Amasa went to assemble [the men of] Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.

2Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that [was] in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth [rib], and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

This seems like just good, common sense to me. Joab had meekly submitted to being set aside as leader of David’s army after protecting him all these years for a young upstart who had been captain of the rebel son’s army, and when the new general couldn’t fulfill the command of the king, which endangered the king’s life, Joab took action. After killing Amasa, he went on to take care of Sheba in the somewhat-famous story of attacking the city Sheba was in, an elderly woman calling out to him asking him why he was destroying a city of Israel, then throwing the head of Sheba down to Joab to stop the battle.

Joab seems to be the mightiest of the “Mighty Men”

Just the fact that Joab’s name is conspicuously missing from the “Mighty Men” list in 2Samuel 23 is odd, especially considering that his two brothers who did not attain to his level are both mentioned as “Mighty Men”, and that in the very next chapter Joab is referred to as “captain of the host”. It goes without saying that the captain of the host is more important than any of the host!

So what’s David’s problem with Joab?

Joab grabs horns of altar
Joab grabs horns of altar where Benaiah finds him and strikes him dead.

It IS true that Joab sided with Adonijah, Solomon’s brother, to make him king. This was a big mistake. But this is not given as a reason by either David or Solomon for execution. Joab had even been more righteous than David in NOT wanting to carry out the king’s wicked order to count the people of Israel.

So in the end, I don’t know. It is interesting to see that Joab was David’s cousin. Also interesting, is that Amasa was David’s cousin too. The Bible facts are that Joab did a great job leading David’s army, protecting David, and doing everything that the captain of the host is supposed to do. He is absolutely right in avenging his brother’s blood, and probably right in taking care of the general who failed to carry out the king’s order, thus endangering the king’s life. It is interesting to me that both of these men were leaders of armies that were enemies of David. Joab made an error in supporting Adonijah as king after David.

My best guess is that David never forgave Joab for striking down his son Absalom when David had specifically told him not to. On top of that, Joab rightly got angry at David after that battle when David showed more, inordinate, selfish love for his rebel son than for all those who had risked their lives to save King David.

Who knows, maybe David and Joab will meet in heaven and talk it over.

Any ideas on this?

1 thought on “Why did David want Joab dead?”

  1. When one tells us of our faults, and points out our mistakes, showing us a better way, we should receive the correction gratefully and try to profit by it. PUR Dec. 5, 1901

    Without studying the exact cost of every article of food and providing the cheapest kind, procure those articles of food that are the best for making steam to run the living machinery. MMis May 1, 1899

    If the Spirit of God poured out upon individuals finds no outlet to enlighten and bless others, the Lord will employ other channels where his grace will be a living, flowing spring, to refresh the souls of those ready to perish. MMis Oct. 1, 1893

    The arrangement that all moneys must go through Battle Creek, and under the counsel of a few men in Battle Creek, is a wrong way of managing. HM Apr. 1, 1897

    Mohammedanism has its converts in many lands, and its advocates deny the divinity of Christ. HM Sep. 1, 1892

    The poor are purposely permitted to be thus by God, that we may be tested and proved, and develop what is in our hearts. HM July 1, 1891

    Many may be reached best through sacred pictures, illustrating scenes in the life and mission of Christ. HR Oct. 1, 1877

    The shoulders should be made to sustain the weight of every article of clothing worn upon the person. HR Feb. 1, 1877

    The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, they would have moral power to gain victory over every other temptation of Satan. HR Aug. 1, 1875

    The first (Ellen’s first child) died of inflammation of the lungs after a sickness of eight days, in consequence of thoughtlessly resting his head upon a pile of damp charts and falling asleep. The second died from sleeping in a room that had not been used for two weeks. HR Feb. 1, 1874

    To shorten life by self – murder is a breach of the sixth precept of God’s law. HR Jan. 1, 1873

    They should by all means bathe as often as twice a week. HR June 1, 1872

    The children of Israel, after they were brought out of Egypt, were commanded to have a simple ribbon of blue in the border of their garments, to distinguish them from the nations around them, and to signify that they were God’s peculiar people. The people of God are not now required to have a special mark placed upon their garments. HR Feb. 1, 1872

    It is a sin to be sick; for all sickness is the result of transgression. HR Aug1, 1866

    Sin indeed lies at the door, which is the mouth. GosHealth Jan. 1, 1898

    When Christ ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit took his place, and was a perfect representation of him. GH June 11, 1902

    Had there been no interference on the part of God, men would have formed an alliance against heaven, and, in the place of warfare among themselves, carried on nothing but warfare against God. GH July 1, 1898

    Your gifts need not pass through any conference organization. GCDB Mar. 2, 1899

    (God speaking to Ellen) … the Australasian field, the new world to which I have sent you. GCDB Mar. 2,1899

    Somebody has called this (the abdominal cavity) the basement of the house. Here (referring to the head) is the upper room, where we ought to live enjoying sensual and debasing pleasures? /what?/ GCDB Mar. 1, 1897

    The theories and speculations of philosophy would make us believe that man has come by slow degrees, not merely from a savage state, but from the very lowest form of the brute creation. GCDB Feb. 18, 1897 (so she knew about evolution)

    It is not the opposition of the world that we have to fear; but it is the elements that work among ourselves that have hindered the message. GCDB Feb. 28, 1893

    On the decision of this momentous question depends your happiness or misery for eternity.” GCDB Feb. 6, 1893

    Some criticism has been made because letters are sent out with a rubber – stamp signature. GCB June 1, 1913

    I have been instructed that it is Santa’s special effort… GCB May 31, 1909

    We strengthen their arguments when we repeat what they say. GCB May 18, 1909

    Early in his ministry the disciples (brothers?) wanted the Saviour to go up to Jerusalem and show himself there. “If thou be the Christ,” they said, “show thyself to the world.” GCB May 18, 1909

    To be harsh in trying to correct wrong is to commit sin in reproving sin. GCB Apr. 1, 1903

    God calls upon His people to break the bands of their precise, indoor service. GCB Oct. 1, 1902

    The time is coming when the Southern field will be closed, locked up. GCB Apr. 25, 1901

    Christ did not correct his disciples before the multitude.
    (except for those times that he did) GCB Apr. 25, 1901

    And then the question may be asked him by the Auditing Committee, “How many sermons have you preached?” The sermons are counted up, and he is paid accordingly. GCB Apr. 25, 1901

    They (mothers) are to train their children to be obedient to all the statutes and commandments of the Lord, Christian Educator Nov. 1, 1897

    in answer to these prayers there may be expected a power greater than that which comes in answer to private prayer. The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and for one another. Central Advance Feb. 25, 1903

    There are three living persons of the heavenly trio. BTS March 1, 1906

    Thus have come into existence some of the greatest evils which curse our world, – adultery, fornication, and the murder of innocent children born out of wedlock. BEcho Aug. 28, 1899

    The answer was, “Woman, what have I to do with thee?” This should have been translated, “What hast thou to do with Me?” BEcho Aug. 28, 1899

    Christ passed through all the experiences of His childhood, youth, and manhood without the observance of ceremonial temple worship. BEcho Oct 31, 1898

    But the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of none effect; that by “believing” we are released from the necessity of being doers of the word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, BEcho Feb 8, 1897

    In order for us to be blessed as were our fathers, we must improve our increased light as they improved theirs. BEcho Jan. 4, 1897

    And the sons and daughters of Adam, instead of coming into the world, as God first made man, righteous and heirs of eternal life, have been the victims of sin and death and woe. BEcho July 29, 1895

    Satan declared that a powerful angel of heaven had been banished to the earth, and that Christ’s appearance indicated that instead of being the King of heaven, He was this fallen angel, forsaken of God and deserted by man. If He were the Son of God, He was equal with God, and could make this evident by working a miracle. He said, “If Thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” BEcho Nov 15, 1892

    BEcho Feb 1, 1887 What they desire is a method of forgetting God which shall pass as a method of remembering him. The papacy is well adapted to meet the wants of all these. It is prepared for two classes of mankind, embracing nearly the whole world, – those who would be saved by their merits, and those who would be saved in their sins. Here is the secret of its power.

    AUCR May 6, 1907 Be assured that your memorial is written above, and in the day of God some at least among the redeemed will call you blessed.

    AUCR March 25, 1907 After the giving of the law, God gave Moses specifications regarding the law. These specifications are plain and explicit. No one need make a mistake.

    In the day of judgment we shall be asked whether we have lived in harmony with these specifications. It is because we do not carry out these specifications in all our dealings, in our institutions, our families, and in our individual lives, at all times, and in all places, that we do not make greater advancement. It is by the directions that God has given that we shall be judged at the last day.

    Have we studied these specifications? I heard them one night some weeks ago. It seemed as if they were being given to Israel, and there was the same solemnity that there was when they were given. I thought, This is given to me that I may tell our people that we must study these specifications. When the directions that God has given are followed, our institutions will be pure and clean, free from all selfishness and covetousness. The tenderness of Christ will come in. His love will fill our hearts. A sense of God’s goodness will make us weep, and sing, and praise God. Then we shall be living channels of light, prepared to do His will.

    AUCR Sep15, 1902
    During this time, while the ark was in building, the voices of Noah, Enoch Methuselah, and many others were heard in warning and entreaty.
    —Did Enoch come down from heaven?

    AUCR July 1, 1902
    Do not seek a home in a hotel, but stay at a private house, and become acquainted with the family.

    AUCR April 1, 1901 “The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption.”.

    AUCR June 1, 1900 “Our prayers should ascend to God that the four angels may be commissioned to hold the four winds”

    Atlantic Canvasser: The laborer should not throw about the truth the peculiarities of his own character and manners. Let not your own ways be woven into God’s work as God’s ways. Keep self in the background. Do not let the work of God become common, but preserve its sacred character. Dec. 18, 1890

    Fitch sermon: “The practical motto in this day is, by their creeds ye shall know them .”

    the idea of getting the victory over the worthless multitude of the beast, looks to me far more consistent, and far more likely to be ascribed by inspiration to the mind that hath wisdom and understanding, than the usual idea of getting the victory over the Hebrew, or Greek, or Roman letters whose numerical value amounts to 666. – so Fitch is saying this numbering Roman numerals to figure out 666 is not right.

    I see a class of persons walking, who cry out, “Away with the Sabbath days, ordinances and the written Word of God”.

    A working church will ever be a growing church. They will ever find a stimulus and a tonic in trying to help others, and in doing it they will be strengthened and encouraged. Advance June 1, 1899, par. 8

    the forty – fifth chapter of Isaiah. Such chapters as this should be placed in form, and brought into our schools as valuable studies .”Advocate October 1, 1900, par. 12

    We had much care, and often sat up as late as midnight, and sometimes until two or three in the morning to read proof – sheets.

    Sg4b “It is easy living after we are dead;”
    “… there are woes also for those who consent to receive and maintain the unsanctified to minister to them in word and doctrine.”
    “I have been shown that picnics, donations, shows, and other gatherings of pleasure, the true followers of Jesus will discard.”
    “The sciences of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism, have been the channel through which Satan has come more directly to this generation,”
    “The Sabbath question, and man not immortal, and the testimony of Jesus, are the great and important truths to be understood, which will prove as an anchor to hold God’s people in these perilous times.”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *