Joab Joab was David’s nephew, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah (1 Chr 2:13-16); his brothers were Abishai and Asahel. Joab became commander of David’s armies because of his bravery and military skill (2 Sam 2:18; 8:16; 11:1; 1 Chr 18:15). As the first to attack the Jebusite city of Jerusalem, he was awarded the commander’s position (1 Chr 11:4-9). Joab also suppressed a rebellion among the Arameans and Ammonites (2 Sam 10:1-19; 1 Chr 19:8-15) and won many key battles for David against the northern army of Israel under Abner’s impressive command (2 Sam 2:12-32). Joab often acted to promote what he perceived were David’s interests. For example, he colluded with David in the death of Uriah the Hittite to cover up the king’s adultery with Bathsheba (11:1-27). He persuaded David to allow Absalom’s return to court (14:1-33), and he tried to talk David out of taking a census that provoked God’s anger (24:1-9; 1 Chr 21:1-6). Though he was very loyal to David, Joab sometimes acted in his own interest, and sometimes he disregarded the king’s orders. When Abner killed Joab’s brother Asahel (2 Sam 2:23), Joab killed Abner in revenge (3:26-30), despite Abner’s new loyalty to David (3:...

Absalom Absalom, son of David, was a handsome prince (2 Sam 14:25-26). When his sister Tamar was raped by their half brother Amnon and then discarded, Absalom took her in (13:1-20). He might have expected David to punish Amnon, but David said nothing (13:21). For two years of suppressed rage and growing hatred (13:22), Absalom plotted revenge. Then he murdered Amnon and fled to his grandfather, King Talmai of Geshur (13:23-39). After three years, Joab convinced David to bring Absalom back, but David neither punished him nor was reconciled to him. Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years with privilege and unresolved alienation. Then he insisted on seeing the king. The two met and made at least a show of reconciliation (14:28-33). But for Absalom, the meeting might have been a maneuver toward the throne. Afterward, he put on a public-relations campaign to undermine the people’s confidence in David (15:1-6). Eventually, Absalom’s underhanded tactics bore the fruit he had hoped for: He launched a coup and gathered supporters in Hebron from all over Israel. By the time news of Absalom’s conspiracy reached David, the king was unable to do anything but flee Jerusalem (15:13-37; see...