Le royaume uniCommander-in-chiefWarriorLeaderc. 1040–970 BC
Joab was David's nephew and his commander-in-chief for most of his reign. He was a brilliant but ruthless military strategist who won many victories for Israel, but also committed several brutal murders that ultimately led to his downfall.
Joab killed Abner, Saul's former army commander, at the gate of Hebron to avenge his brother Asael's death, even though David had granted Abner safe passage.
27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway as though to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, and he died—in revenge for the blood of Joab's brother Asahel.
29May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house! May the house of Joab never be without someone with a running sore or a skin disease, or a man who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks food."
14Joab said, "I will not waste time with you like this." He took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the heart of the oak.
10Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab's hand, and Joab struck him in the belly with it, spilling his entrails on the ground. He needed no second blow, and Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.
Joab supported Adonijah's attempt to seize the throne instead of Solomon. After David's death, Solomon ordered Joab to be executed at the altar where he had sought refuge.
28When the news reached Joab—who had sided with Adonijah, though he had not sided with Absalom—he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar.
29King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD and was there beside the altar. So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada with the order, "Go, strike him down."
30Benaiah came to the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, "The king says, 'Come out!'" But he answered, "No, I will die here." Benaiah brought word back to the king: "This is what Joab said, and this is how he answered me."
31The king said to him, "Do as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from my father's house the innocent blood that Joab shed.