07 Joab Avenges Asahel

Second Samuel chapter three provides a compelling picture of the human condition, which shows that every person has a deceitful and desperately wicked heart.

In the beginning of the chapter, there’s an account of a nation embroiled in a civil war, incidents of murder, sexual sin, and abject fleshly weakness.

In the middle portion of the chapter, there are accounts of retribution, vengeance, and another account of murder.

Both David and Saul, had strong “no-holds-barred” military commanders, with David having Joab as his general, and with Abner having filled that position under Saul.

Once Saul died, Abner initially refused to accept David as king, and therefore made Saul’s lone remaining son, Ishbosheth as the king of all but Judah, where David ruled over.

During the civil war between Israel and Judah, Abner killed Asahel who was Joab’s youngest brother, and also a first cousin of David.

That action incensed both Joab and his surviving brother Abishai.

While Ishbosheth was the “presumed” leader of Israel, in reality Abner was calling the shots, while Ishbosheth was nothing more than a figurehead. However, when the king received word that Abner had taken one of his late father’s royal concubines for himself, he confronted his general. Abner was so angered, that he determined to make an agreement with David, and to transfer the king of Israel to him as well, as he acknowledged that had been God’s determined will all along.

1 David as Leader

While it can’t be determined for certain, it appears that David either forgave Abner for killing Asahel, was acting in political best interests, as he made peace with him:

2 Samuel 3:20-21

David understood that Abner was the key to him becoming king of a united nation. But it also shows that just as David had not harbored ill-will against Saul who had attempted to kill him for nearly two decades, he also was not showing ill-will toward Abner.

The chapter shows that David had gone out with Joab and the army, taking military action against some of the Judah’s enemies. However, even though Abner and David had made peace, Abner was not including in the action.

Even though David was already king of Judah and knew that God’s will was that he was to reign over all Israel, he was still content to wait upon the Lord’s timing, rather than attempting to manipulate circumstances, or to rush things.

The Bible shows us the importance to always wait upon the Lord:

Isaiah 40:31

2 Joab Confronts David

It doesn’t appear that David made mention of his agreement with Abner, to Joab, but that would soon change, once some of Joab’s troops advised him:

2 Samuel 3:23-25

Joab was both surprised and upset by David’s actions, because he stated that David didn’t know whether it would give Abner an advantage over him, or to even spy upon the kingdom.

But from the tone, it can also be seen, that Joab wasn’t only speaking to David in his role as military leader and counselor to the king, but as his older cousin. He was obviously angry that David was allowing Abner to get away with the killing of Asahel.

It is quite possible, that Joab was attempting to fulfill his role which according to Numbers 35:9-28, would authorize Joab as the oldest nearest kin, to avenge the murder of his brother.

In that passage, God established cities of refuge throughout Israel, where someone accused of murder might flee, until their case might be heard or the death of the high priest. However, by David forming a peace agreement with Abner, he was depriving Joab of legally avenging the killing of his brother.

3 Joab Avenges Asahel

While the Scripture doesn’t record any response from David to Joab, it is clear that Joab was still dissatisfied, with David’s actions, and therefore he determined to take matters into his own hands:

2 Samuel 3:26-30

Once Joab left David’s presence, he had messengers dispatched to find and bring Abner to him. And they did so, having located Abner only about a mile north of David’s home and headquarters in Hebron.

That itself is unusual, since it seems enough time had elapsed after his meeting with David for him to have traveled more than a mile. In any event, he was escorted back towards Hebron, and as he approached the town, Joab was waiting for him at the city gate. Joab pulled him aside, as if to speak with him privately, when he stabbed Abner in the stomach, with him dying right on the spot.

The location of the murder was important, since Hebron was one of the appointed cities of refuge:

Joshua 20:6-7

Had Abner made it inside of the city gate, he would have technically free (until his case was heard) since he would have been inside a city of refuge. This shows the intricate and deceptive planning of Joab.

David declared that he and his kingdom were innocent of Abner’s blood:

2 Samuel 3:28-29

In addition to stating that he didn’t bear any responsibility for Abner’s demise, David also pronounced a severe curse upon Joab and his descendants, all of whom would be relatives of David.

However, there’s no record of his disciplining of Joab, which falls in-line with how he often dealt with issues in his own household.

Verse 30 shows that Abishai was also involved in Abner’s death (possibly as an accomplice) as both he and Joab were attributed with the killing.