Bible Dictionaries
Joab

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Joab (jô'ab), whose father is Jehovah. 1. The son of Zeruiah, and nephew of David, and commander-in-chief of his army. He was an accomplished warrior, but a most unscrupulous man. 1 Chronicles 2:16; 1 Chronicles 11:6. He treacherously assassinated Abner. 2 Samuel 2:23; 2 Samuel 3:27. When Absalom rebelled Joab adhered to David; and contrary to express orders he put Absalom to death. 2 Samuel 18:14. David then made Amasa general of his army, but Joab was so offended that he also assassinated Amasa, as he had done Abner. 2 Samuel 20:10. Joab combined in the plot to set Adonijah on the throne, in defiance of the will of David, who had, by divine direction, resolved to make Solomon king. 1 Kings 2:28. After the death of David, Joab was slain at the altar, whither he had fled for protection; and was buried in his own domain in the wilderness. 2 Kings 2:5-25. 2. A descendant of Judah. 1 Chronicles 4:14. 3. One whose posterity returned from exile. Ezra 2:6; Ezra 8:9; Nehemiah 7:11.

Bibliography Information
Rice, Edwin Wilbur, DD. Entry for 'Joab'. People's Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​rpd/​j/joab.html. 1893.