Joab

 BOOK OF 2 SAMUEL. 

JOAB/ JEHOVAH IS FATHER. 

Joab was the second son of the three sons of Zeruiah, the sister of David, the other two being Abishai and Asahel. 

Joab was captain of David's army when Abner, Saul's cousin and army commander led the army of Saul's son Ishbosheth. 

Asahel was killed when he pursued Abner. 

When Abner transferred his allegiance to David, Joab treacherously killed him for killing Asahel, although Abner had done so in self defense. 

Later, Joab was made commander of the armies of David, as a reward for gaining entry into the stronghold of Mount Zion which was controlled by the Jebusites. 

He achieved victory over the Ammonites. 

He obeyed David in getting Uriah killed at the forefront of battle and called for David to storm Rabbah, so that David could get credit for victory over the Ammonites. 

Joab helped Absalom to be restored to royal favour after banishment due to the murder of Amnon.

Joab remained loyal to David during Absalom's revolt and was responsible for killing Absalom. 

When David gave vent to extravagant grief at the death of Absalom, his son, Joab rebuked him. 

2 Samuel 19:7;

"Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. 

For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, no one will stay with you this night. 

And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth till now".

David pulled himself out of his sorrow of losing Absalom and was restored to kingship by the priests and the people. 

David made Amasa another nephew and cousin of Joab, who had been loyal to Absalom, as commander of his army and gave him the responsibility of summoning the men of Judah. 

Joab felt threatened by Amasa and stabbed him while pursuing Sheba the Benjamite. 

Much later, Joab was killed by Benaiah, the chief of the bodyguard of Solomon, as he supported Adonijah's claim to the throne of David. 

Joab for all his faults was a capable man of war and a valiant soldier on the battlefield. 

He has to be given credit for his loyalty to David for almost four decades. 

Some of his rash decisions and vengeful murders resulted in his sad end with no hope of finding clemency. 

Compiled by Shanti Jayanth, Madurai.