It was a long story. Abner was the commander of Saul's army. He was the son of Ner who was the uncle of Saul (1 Samuel 14:50).
After the death of Saul, Abner made Ishbosheth, son of Saul, king of Israel (2 Samuel 2:9), while David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:11).
Among the servants of David, there were three brothers, Joab, Abishai and Asahel. They were sons of Zeruiah (2 Samuel 2:18).
Asahel was killed by Abner while chasing him doggedly (2 Samuel 2:23). There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of Judah (2 Samuel 3:1). Abner intended to establish peace with David who wanted to get back his wife Michal, daughter of Saul (2 Samuel 3:13). Abner concurred and visited David in Hebron. David entertained him with a feast and Abner returned in peace. Joab learned of this and sent for Abner and met him in private. Then Joab killed Abner for the blood of his brother Asahel (2 Samuel 3:27). When David heard this, he cursed Joab.
May it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon all his father's house; and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge, or who is leprous, or who holds a spindle, or who is slain by the sword, or who lacks bread! (2 Samuel 3:29)
After the death of Saul, Abner made Ishbosheth, son of Saul, king of Israel (2 Samuel 2:9), while David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:11).
Among the servants of David, there were three brothers, Joab, Abishai and Asahel. They were sons of Zeruiah (2 Samuel 2:18).
Asahel was killed by Abner while chasing him doggedly (2 Samuel 2:23). There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of Judah (2 Samuel 3:1). Abner intended to establish peace with David who wanted to get back his wife Michal, daughter of Saul (2 Samuel 3:13). Abner concurred and visited David in Hebron. David entertained him with a feast and Abner returned in peace. Joab learned of this and sent for Abner and met him in private. Then Joab killed Abner for the blood of his brother Asahel (2 Samuel 3:27). When David heard this, he cursed Joab.
May it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon all his father's house; and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge, or who is leprous, or who holds a spindle, or who is slain by the sword, or who lacks bread! (2 Samuel 3:29)
Later in his career as the commander of the army, Joab did several dirty jobs for David. He helped David defeat the Syrians (2 Samuel 10:13). He had Uriah, husband of Bathsheba, killed in the seige of Rabbah (2 Samuel 11:17). After capturing Rabbah, Joab asked David to do the finishing touch so that the glory went to David (2 Samuel 12:29). Joab was very smart in serving the King.
When Absalom fled after killing his brother Amnon, Joab saw that David loved Absalom. He arranged to have Absalom returned to King David (2 Samuel 14:23). Later, Absalom rebelled against David. When the tide turned, David instructed explicitly to his commanders to deal with Absalom gently (2 Samuel 18:5). Absalom was defeated and fled on a mule. His hair was entangled on an oak tree and Absalom was hanging in mid-air. Joab wasted no time and thrust three darts into the heart of Absalom to finish him (2 Samuel 18:14). When David learned of the sad news, he mourned and wept deeply for his son. Joab came in to reprimand the King.
Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, "You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life, and the lives of your sons and your daughters, and the lives of your wives and your concubines,
because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you; for today I perceive that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.
Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants; for I swear by the LORD, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night; and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now." (2 Samuel 19:5-7)
Joab was clearheaded. He helped David regain the hearts for those who fought for him. Of course, David was not pleased.
Sheba, son of Bichri rebelled against David. David set Amasa, the commander of the army of Judah, to handle the rebellion but Joab killed Amasa and settled it himself (2 Samuel 20:22).
The last dirty job Joab did for David was to carry out the census in the kingdom, though it was against his own will. Joab finished everything in nine months and twenty days (2 Samuel 24:8).
When Absalom fled after killing his brother Amnon, Joab saw that David loved Absalom. He arranged to have Absalom returned to King David (2 Samuel 14:23). Later, Absalom rebelled against David. When the tide turned, David instructed explicitly to his commanders to deal with Absalom gently (2 Samuel 18:5). Absalom was defeated and fled on a mule. His hair was entangled on an oak tree and Absalom was hanging in mid-air. Joab wasted no time and thrust three darts into the heart of Absalom to finish him (2 Samuel 18:14). When David learned of the sad news, he mourned and wept deeply for his son. Joab came in to reprimand the King.
Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, "You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life, and the lives of your sons and your daughters, and the lives of your wives and your concubines,
because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you; for today I perceive that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.
Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants; for I swear by the LORD, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night; and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now." (2 Samuel 19:5-7)
Joab was clearheaded. He helped David regain the hearts for those who fought for him. Of course, David was not pleased.
Sheba, son of Bichri rebelled against David. David set Amasa, the commander of the army of Judah, to handle the rebellion but Joab killed Amasa and settled it himself (2 Samuel 20:22).
The last dirty job Joab did for David was to carry out the census in the kingdom, though it was against his own will. Joab finished everything in nine months and twenty days (2 Samuel 24:8).
When David was old, Adonijah, the brother of Absalom, took the initiative to prepare himself for the throne. Joab and Abiathar the priest bet on the wrong horse and sided with Adonijah (1 King 1:7). Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet did not (1 Kings 1:8). But what was in the mind of David? Where did his heart go? Bathsheba went into the king's chamber to find out. Nathan came in to report on what Adonijah was doing with Joab and Abiathar. Then David swore to Bathsheba.
And the king swore, saying, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity,
as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead'; even so will I do this day." (1 Kings 1:29-30)
While Adonijah was still feasting with his guests, Zadok anointed Solomon king (1 Kings 1:39).
Solomon received instructions from David to clear up the mess. As for Joab, David had the following to say.
Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he murdered, avenging in time of peace blood which had been shed in war, and putting innocent blood upon the girdle about my loins, and upon the sandals on my feet.
Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace (1 Kings 2:5-6).
When Joab heard of the news that Solomon wanted to kill him, he fled to the tent of the Lord. Solomon sent Benaiah to strike Joab down and killed him there in the tent (1 Kings 2:34).
Woe to Joab. His whole career was devoted to serve David. In a sense, Joab was the altered ego of David to do all the dirty jobs for him. Alas! The Chinese idiom is right. 「狡兔死，走狗烹。」After all the cunning rabbits have died, running dogs are cooked. One cannot outlive one's utility. Kant would be turning in his grave!
And the king swore, saying, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity,
as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead'; even so will I do this day." (1 Kings 1:29-30)
While Adonijah was still feasting with his guests, Zadok anointed Solomon king (1 Kings 1:39).
Solomon received instructions from David to clear up the mess. As for Joab, David had the following to say.
Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he murdered, avenging in time of peace blood which had been shed in war, and putting innocent blood upon the girdle about my loins, and upon the sandals on my feet.
Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace (1 Kings 2:5-6).
When Joab heard of the news that Solomon wanted to kill him, he fled to the tent of the Lord. Solomon sent Benaiah to strike Joab down and killed him there in the tent (1 Kings 2:34).
Woe to Joab. His whole career was devoted to serve David. In a sense, Joab was the altered ego of David to do all the dirty jobs for him. Alas! The Chinese idiom is right. 「狡兔死，走狗烹。」After all the cunning rabbits have died, running dogs are cooked. One cannot outlive one's utility. Kant would be turning in his grave!
Dear Lord, have mercy on the souls of those of us who run errands for our masters. Your yoke is easy and Your burden gentle light. Amen.
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