Ep 680 – 2 Samuel 23:24-39

It seems a bit odd that when David compiled the list of his mighty men, he conspicuously left off one name: That of his long-term friend and commander of his army: Joab. There is no doubt that David and Joab didn’t always see eye to eye. But that David would leave this one man out of his list of those who had performed mighty deeds on his behalf, shows that David had never gotten over Joab’s insubordination. But the truth is, Joab was the most likely candidate for a best friend that David had. He was willing to speak up. He wasn’t afraid to point out David’s faults and to call him on the carpet when he thought it was necessary. Joab wasn’t a fair-weather friend. And he wasn’t the type to ply David with false flattery. He loved him enough to say the tough things. But as we will see in 2 Samuel 23:24-39, Joab’s name is nowhere to be found.