Joab - Blood Avenger or Murderer? Quiz

Answer: 6

There were six cities in all spread throughout the land. The six cities were: Golan, Ramoth, Bosor, Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron. Numbers 35, Joshua 20, Deuteronomy 19.

Answer: Yes, the issue had to be investigated and if it was a premeditated murder he was given up to the avenger of blood

Cities of Refuge were set up to protect people who accidentally killed someone (manslaughter), not to protect willful murderers. If someone sought refuge their case was to be investigated and if the murder was premeditated and not an accident, the person was to be denied refuge. Exodus 21, Numbers 35, Deuteronomy 19.

Answer: Abner had become a threat to Joab's command of David's army

Josephus says that Joab forgave Abner for killing his brother because it was done in self defense. Joab later killed him because Abner had gained favor with David and threatened Joab's leadership of the army.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joab
http://www.biblestudytools.com/History/BC/FlaviusJosephus/?book=Ant_7&chapter=1

Answer: Absalom

Absalom led a rebellion against David and David was forced to flee Jerusalem. Joab and some of David's closest men were the only ones who stayed with him. In the ensuing battle David asked that Absalom's life be spared but Joab realized the political futility of this and killed Absalom when the chance presented itself. 2 Samuel 15-19

Answer: David's nephew and Joab's cousin

Amasa was the son of David's sister Abigail and therefore David's nephew and Joab's cousin. Amasa was also a cousin to Absalom whose army he led. 2 Samuel 17:25

Answer: false

Amasa had commanded the army of Judah during Absalom's rebellion. David offered him command of the army in an attempt to reunite Judah with the rest of Israel once Absalom's rebellion had failed. Amasa's loyalty to David was brought into question during the rebellion of Sheba because Amasa was slow to follow David's orders and David had to have Abishai, Joab's brother, carry out the task of putting down the rebellion. Whether merely incompetent or truly disloyal is unclear but Joab made sure that the problem was resolved by killing Amasa. 2 Samuel 20

Answer: Denied Joab the right to marry his daughter Tamar

Joab never sought to marry Tamar, David's daughter, but the rest of the statements are actions of David. Joab proved his loyalty to David time and again, even to the point of carrying out David's evil plan against Uriah the Hittite. Although some may argue that some of Joab's actions also served his own self interests, they never went against David or David's interests. JewishEncyclopedia.com concludes, "Joab was a loyal and willing tool in the hands of his master David; a sturdy, unscrupulous military chieftain, such as surround Asiatic despots and leaders of freebooters."

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=322&letter=J

Answer: An ideal general without whom David would not have succeeded

Joab was seen as an ideal complement to David. He carried out the military duties necessary for the growing country so that David could concentrate on his more spiritual pursuits. The relationship was seen as symbiotic in that Joab succeeded because of David's closeness to God and David was able to be close to God because Joab took care of the military matters.

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=322&letter=J

Answer: The numbering of the people

Joab and the commanders of the army were against the census but David would not listen. Although not a religious man, Joab did appeal to David as God's servant but to no avail. Joab even went so far as to do an incomplete count because he was against it. After the census was taken David realized he had sinned and begged God for forgiveness. 2 Samuel 24

Answer: Benaiah

Benaiah killed Joab on the orders of Solomon and then was given command of the army. 1 Kings 2:28-35