David's commander · United monarchy
Joab in the Bible
Ruthless, effective and impossible to control, Joab takes Jerusalem, wins David's wars, arranges Uriah's death on orders, and kills Absalom against them. Solomon has him executed at the altar he clings to.
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Verses mentioning Joab
148 occurrences across 125 verses in the King James Version.
- 2 Samuel 18:2
And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:5
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:10
And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:11
And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:12
And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. receive: Heb. weigh upon mine hand Beware: Heb. Beware whosoever ye be of, etc
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:14
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. with: Heb. before thee midst: Heb. heart
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:15
And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:16
And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:20
And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead. bear tidings this: Heb. be a man of tidings, etc
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:21
Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:22
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? howsoever: Heb. be what may ready: or, convenient
Read in context - 2 Samuel 18:29
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. Is: Heb. Is there peace?
Read in context - 2 Samuel 19:1
And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 19:5
And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
Read in context - 2 Samuel 19:13
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:7
And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:8
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:9
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:10
But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. struck: Heb. doubled not his stroke
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:11
And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:13
When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:15
And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. in the trench: or, against the outmost wall battered: Heb. marred to throw down
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:16
Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:17
And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 20:20
And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
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