Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was a prominent military commander in the service of King David. His life and actions are recorded in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, where he is depicted as a complex figure, both loyal and treacherous. Joab's treachery is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, highlighting the tension between personal ambition and loyalty to the king.

Murder of Abner

One of the most notable acts of treachery committed by Joab was the murder of Abner, the commander of Saul's army. After the death of Saul, Abner sought to transfer the kingdom to David, making peace with him. However, Joab, harboring a personal vendetta against Abner for killing his brother Asahel in battle, deceitfully lured Abner back to Hebron and killed him. This act of treachery is recorded in 2 Samuel 3:27: "When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway to speak with him privately, and there he stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the blood of Asahel, Joab’s brother."

David publicly distanced himself from Joab's actions, lamenting Abner's death and declaring his own innocence in the matter (2 Samuel 3:28-29). Despite Joab's treachery, David did not immediately punish him, possibly due to Joab's strong position within the military and his familial ties as David's nephew.

Murder of Amasa

Joab's treachery continued with the murder of Amasa, whom David had appointed as commander of the army in place of Joab. This appointment was part of David's strategy to unify the kingdom after Absalom's rebellion. Joab, feeling threatened by Amasa's new position, deceitfully greeted him with a kiss and then killed him. The account is found in 2 Samuel 20:9-10: "Joab said to Amasa, 'Are you well, my brother?' And with his right hand Joab took hold of Amasa’s beard to kiss him. But Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled his intestines on the ground. He did not need to strike him again, and Amasa died."

This act of treachery ensured Joab's continued command over the army, but it further demonstrated his ruthless ambition and willingness to betray even those close to him for personal gain.

Support of Adonijah

In the latter years of David's reign, Joab's treachery manifested in his support for Adonijah, David's son, who attempted to usurp the throne from Solomon, David's chosen successor. Joab's alignment with Adonijah is recorded in 1 Kings 1:7: "So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him." This political maneuvering was a direct challenge to David's wishes and the divine promise concerning Solomon's kingship.

Death of Joab

Joab's treachery ultimately led to his downfall. After Solomon ascended to the throne, he ordered Joab's execution for his past betrayals and murders. Joab fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar, seeking sanctuary. However, Solomon commanded Benaiah to strike him down, as recorded in 1 Kings 2:31-34: "So Benaiah went up, struck down Joab, and killed him, and he was buried at his home in the wilderness."

Joab's life serves as a cautionary tale of the destructive nature of treachery and the consequences of prioritizing personal ambition over loyalty and righteousness. His actions, while at times serving David's interests, ultimately revealed a character marked by betrayal and self-interest.2 Samuel 3:26,27
And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
Nave's Topical Index

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... himself nobody with him but his brother Abishai; then he drew his sword, and smote
him in the groin; upon which Abner died by this treachery of Joab, which, as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

David Appointing Solomon
... has its lesson. The reason for Joab's treachery is plain. He had been steadily
drifting away from David for years. His fierce temper ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david appointing solomon.htm

David's Sorrow.
... Then Absalom forced Joab to bring him to the king's house by setting Joab's barley
field ... His heart was broken at the treachery of his son, and he said to his ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv davids sorrow.htm

Chastisements.
... mere tool in the hands of his fierce general"and Joab's hold upon ... vehement supplication
against his foes, and indignant recounting of their treachery (vers.9 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

The Tears of Christ.
... first smote the Jebusites should be chief and captain, and that man was Joab. ... That
famine, and pestilence, and treachery, and civil war should all attack them ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlv the tears of.htm

How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ...
... When Hadad heard in Egypt that both David and Joab were dead, he came to ... But when
Solomon understood his intention and treachery, he sought to catch him and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how solomon grew.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 2. That Upon The Slaughter Of Ishbosheth By The Treachery Of His Friends,
David ... Of His Host, In Order To Pursue Seba; Which Amasa Was Slain By Joab. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Tears of the Penitent.
... by its true name; the contemptuous measure of his master which Joab takes in ... separate
acts of which he had been guilty"lust, fraud, treachery, murder: looked ...
/.../maclaren/the life of david/xiii the tears of the penitent.htm

Letter Li. Addressed to the Emperor Theodosius after the Massacre ...
... lest I should injure and bring in peril those who had incurred the suspicion of
treachery. ... and had heard that innocent Abner had been slain by Joab, the leader ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter li addressed to the.htm

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
... Had Joseph kept his thoughts fixed on the treachery of his brethren, he never ... Thus
Joab, while he acknowledges that the issue of the battle is entirely in the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm

Who was King Pekah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about bribery / giving or receiving a bribe? | GotQuestions.org

Treachery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus