Illustration created for this project.
Joab
David's ruthless and capable army commander, who killed Absalom and Abner.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Family & lineage
Where in scripture
2 SamuelFamily
In their own words — 18 recorded sayings
“And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men give a test of their strength before us. And Joab said, Let them do so.” — 2 Samuel 2:14
“And Joab said, By the living God, if you had not given the word, the people would have gone on attacking their countrymen till the morning.” — 2 Samuel 2:27
“Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? when Abner came to you why did you send him away and let him go? Is it not clear to you that Abner, the son of Ner, came with deceit to get knowledge of your going out and your coming in and of all you are doing?” — 2 Samuel 3:24-25
“And he said, If the Aramaeans are stronger and get the better of me, then you are to come to my help; but if the children of Ammon get the better of you, I will come to your help. Take heart, and let us be strong for our people and for the towns of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” — 2 Samuel 10:11-12
“And he gave orders to the man who took the news, saying, After you have given the king all the news about the war, If the king is angry and says, Why did you go so near the town for the fight? was it not certain that their archers would be on the wall? Who put Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, to death? did not a woman send a great stone down on him from the wall, putting him to death at Thebez? why did you go so near the wall? Then say to him, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is among the dead.” — 2 Samuel 11:19-21
“And Joab sent men to David, saying, I have made war against Rabbah and have taken the water-town. So now, get the rest of the people together, and put them in position against the town and take it, for if I take it, it will be named after my name.” — 2 Samuel 12:27-28
“And Joab sent to Tekoa and got from there a wise woman, and said to her, Now make yourself seem like one given up to grief, and put on the clothing of sorrow, not using any sweet oil for your body, but looking like one who for a long time has been weeping for the dead: And come to the king and say these words to him. So Joab gave her words to say.” — 2 Samuel 14:2-3
“Then Joab, falling down on his face on the earth, gave the king honour and blessing; and Joab said, Today it is clear to your servant that I have grace in your eyes, my lord king, because the king has given effect to the request of his servant.” — 2 Samuel 14:22
…and 10 more recorded sayings.
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
