Burning Bush Blogs
Equipping Men with Biblical Knowledge and Leadership Skills
Category: Personal Study
Thread: Game of Thrones
Post Topic: Joab the Good – The King’s Loyal and Daring Fixer
(Two-day Study)
Post in Thread: #24
Previous: Triumphant Return of the King
Next: Joab the Bad – The King’s Violent, Ambitious, Defiant Thug
Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-6
Background
God never allowed King David to build the Holy Temple because David was a man of violence and war. Although known for killing the Philistine giant Goliath, that feat only scratched the surface of his military exploits. His wars ranged from external foes like the Philistines and Amorites to internal foes like civil wars against the House of Saul and a revolt led by his own son, Absalom.
By David’s side, through it all, was his right-hand man Joab. The two studies in this post will examine Joab’s positive qualities: His undying loyalty to David, and his bold determination and fearlessness.
Part I – The unwavering loyalty of Joab
Note – this is part 1 of a 2-part study of the positive qualities of David’s fixer, Joab. We suggest reading each part as a single day’s Bible study. A follow-up study will examine Joab’s negative qualities that ultimately led to his execution.
Scripture:
Passage: 2 Samuel 18:1-9
Key Verses:
David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I myself will surely march out with you.”
2 Samuel 18:1-3
3 But the men said, “You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.”
Observations
Context
In other episodes of Game of Thrones, Bible Edition, we’ve covered the conflict between David and his son Absalom. Forced to flee Jerusalem ahead of the advancing forces of Absalom, David and his most loyal family, friends, and fighters take refuge in the remote outpost of Mahanaim. Absalom pursues them and aligns his forces against them.
The commander of Absalom’s forces? Amasa, Joab’s cousin. But rather than join Amasa in a revolt that would have succeeded with Joab, Joab instead remains loyal to David to the possible end.
Final Stand
Here we see David wanting to join his troops in a final stand. He divides them up into thirds under three commanders. But they tell him to stay back in the city, not wanting to lose the enduring symbol of their strength.
Joab and the other commanders go out to battle and win a resounding victory, with Joab himself killing Absalom, against David’s wishes.
Examples of Joab’s Loyalty
- In I Samuel 22, when David was fleeing Saul, David’s brothers and cousins and loyal men such as Joab came to his aid. This would have been at much risk to these men. For more, see https://danielpwarner.com/game-of-thrones-davids-mighty-men/
- In 2 Samuel 12:26-28, Joab defeated the Ammonites at Rabbah, but allowed David to come in and take the glory.
- Joab handled the Bathsheba situation on David’s behalf by disposing of her husband (this is evidence of Joab’s loyalty, not morality).
- When David fled Jerusalem and the advancing forces of Absalom, Joab remained by David’s side in exile, and protected him against Absalom’s aggressive intentions.
Evidence of Joab’s loyalty
Joab was a fiercely competitive and ambitious man. And quite capable. David himself admitted that he was afraid of the strength of Joab and his brothers. Joab’s ambition is evidenced by his cold-blooded murder of potential rivals like Abner and Amasa (his own cousin).
Yet in spite of this ambition and ruthlessness, Joab never attempted to take David’s throne for himself. And he never changed sides until David was on his deathbed.
Interpretation
Author/Genre
Samuel wrote the history of Israel’s monarchies in his books.
Setting
The showdown with Absalom’s forces took place in a mountainous, forested area to the east of the Jordan River. The nearest city was Mahanaim, which served as a base of operations for David and his forces.
Takeaways
- Joab remained fiercely loyal to David, even when the odds seemed stacked against him.
- Joab killed Absalom and other men when he thought it best for both himself and for David. He probably used some form of twisted logic of loyalty to justify his actions.
- Joab’s complicity in covering up David’s affair was evil. Even loyalty can be taken too far.
Imagine
This snippet imagines Joab fixing David’s mess with Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah:
Joab was happy to see one of his bravest warriors trudging back into camp. King David’s unusual furlough request of Uriah had not come at the best time. Ammonite resistance had proved stronger than expected.
Uriah handed Joab a note. “For your eyes only, my commander.”
Joab inspected the parchment, still sealed, with David’s royal insignia. “Any idea what this is about?”
“No idea. I’m just happy to be back with the men.”
Joab tore open the letter. He scanned it twice. No, he’d read it correctly.
“Something wrong, Commander? Can I help?”
What is the king thinking? What could Uriah have done wrong?
“Commander?”
Joab crumpled the note and tossed it into the fire. Slowly, he met Uriah’s gaze, and realized the truth. Uriah hadn’t done anything wrong. It was the king. Whatever David had done, it now fell on Joab to fix it.
Joab sighed. “Not for now, Uriah. You’ll get new orders in the morning.”
Correlation
- John 14:13 – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
- We might not have to take it this far, but the truest sign of loyalty is the sacrifices we’re willing to make for our friends.
- Mark 8:34 – If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
- Here again we see loyalty in the form of self-sacrifice, only this time it concerns loyalty to God.
- Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart. Loving our neighbor/friend is the second commandment. We are directed to choose God, even over our closest friends.
Application
Generic Applications
Much of Joab’s loyalty is to be praised. Covering up sin is another story, especially considering the lengths Joab had to take it.
Loyalty is good. Blind loyalty is something different.
Personalize it
- Is there a leader of friend that needs someone by their side? Am I willing to step up, even if the odds are against them?
- Am I willing to be more loyal to God than to a friend? If a friend asks me to do something immoral or cover something up, how will I respond? Can I resolve now to take up my cross and follow God?
Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:
Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.
Part II – The Daring Commander
Note – this is part 2 of a 2-part study of the positive qualities of David’s fixer, Joab. We suggest reading each part as a single day’s Bible study. A follow-up study will examine Joab’s negative qualities that ultimately led to his execution.
Scripture
Passage: 2 Samuel 10:6-19
Key Verses:
9 Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. 10 He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother and deployed them against the Ammonites. 11 Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you. 12 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.”
I Samuel 5:9-12
Observations
Joab Surrounded
- The Ammonites disrespected David and the Israelites, so he sent Joab out against them.
- The Ammonites figured David’s armies would come, so they enlisted a mercenary army to assist.
- Joab had thought he’d simply be marching on the city, but the hired troops formed against him from the back, and Joab’s men were surrounded.
- He divided the men in half, using his brother to lead the men in one direction against the Ammonites in the city.
- Joab gave a stirring speech, imploring the men to trust in God and to demonstrate unquenchable courage.
Events – War
- The Israelites should have been routed. But as soon as Joab led half his men toward the hired men of the Arameans, they turned tail and ran.
- Seeing their plans crumble, the Ammonites also lost heart and retreated inside their city.
- The Arameans regrouped and attempted to stand up to the Israelites.
- David would have none of it. This time, he got involved too, and helped route the Arameans. They would never assist the Ammonites again.
More examples of Joab’s daring and leadership
- When David became king, Jebus (future Jerusalem) was under Jebusite control. The city was so well fortified, that the Jebusites mocked David when he brought his forces toward them. Joab led a group of commandoes through the water system into the city to help overthrow it. This action got him appointed as David’s commander. Read more about this here: David Invades Jerusalem
- Joab successfully defeated the forces of Ish-Bosheth and Saul’s former commander Abner in the first civil war.
- Joab led his forces to a rousing victory over David’s rebellious son, Absalom.
Interpretation
Setting
Ammon was on the opposite side of the Jordan River (East), situated in modern-day Jordan. The ancient Ammonite city of Rabbah is situated in the modern-day city of Amman, Jordan.
Takeaways
- Joab displayed great courage and leadership. It is believed that he never lost a battle – certainly never a war.
- Because we don’t think of Joab as a godly man, it is interesting to read his speech, where he encourages his men to take courage in the might and power of God. Perhaps he was just trying to cheer them up. More likely he actually believed in the power of God, but was unwilling to submit to God’s will in many instances.
Imagine
Imagine being a warrior in Joab’s army. He’s never lost a battle. Even when he doesn’t plan well, like now, and gets himself surrounded, he still seems to come out on top. You’ve heard stories of his daring at Jerusalem, crawling up the water shaft. You’ve seen victories over Philistines and Moabites. You know he reports to David, the mighty warrior king. But this time, the combined enemy forces seem overwhelming. The Ammonites in front. The Arameans behind.
Joab divides the men in half. You get assigned to his brother, Abishai, who faces the Ammonites. You’re going to be launching a frontal attack on the city. But what if Joab’s men can’t hold the rear? If they break while you’re engaged with the Ammonites…
Joab proclaims the mighty works of God. You are one of the Chosen People. Today will not just be your victory. It will be God’s victory. One after another, swords are lifted high. It begins with a low chant within your ranks. It swells into a deafening roar. You join your voice with the others in a lusty cheer, the shouts echoing through the hills. Joab points his sword. Joab’s line charges into the wilderness, directly at the mercenaries. You see terror in the faces of the enemies. Your raw throat screams all the louder as your line begins it charge toward the city.
Correlation
- Proverbs 28:1 – The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
- Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
- Acts 4:13 – When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
- Peter and John, having been arrested for their preaching about Jesus, showed remarkable courage.
- Their courage was noteworthy. It was probably even more noteworthy to the religious leaders because of how these men had abandoned Jesus when Jesus was arrested. None of them spoke on his behalf at his trial, which was used against him by Caiaphas at trial. Now, Caiaphas is seeing something totally different in these apostles.
- Peter is the rock upon which the church was built. His courage was infectious. There’s no way the early church would have survived persecution of the Roman empire without the courageous leadership of men like Peter and John.
Application
Generic Applications
- With faith, we can be more courageous than those without because we know God is with us.
- Joab’s courage was infectious, as was Peter and John’s courage. Courage is an important trait for a leader.
Personalize it
- When thrust into leadership positions, do I trust God enough to lead with courage? Will I stand up for what is right and godly?
- As a leader or a teacher or a parent, how often do I think about how my acts of boldness and courage, however small, will impact those who look up to me? Have I prayed for courage lately?
Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:
Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.
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