Have you ever worked with someone who experienced a significant rise and subsequent fall in their career?
I have. One coworker, Pete, was known for his skills as a salesperson but also had a reputation for not doing the work his bosses requested. Then Pete would blame others instead of taking responsibility for his shortcoming. Ultimately, he only did things that he wanted to do, which made him look good in the eyes of the bosses and advanced his career. It worked for a while, and he progressed as a manager in the sales department. However, he was demoted when his lies and shortcoming came to light.
In my opinion, Pete should have been fired because people who look only to their own interests and not the company’s interests are too dangerous to keep around.
Pete’s story is reminiscent of Joab’s, which is recounted mostly in the book of 2 Samuel.
Joab’s Back Story
Joab was King David’s nephew and a military commander in King David’s army during ancient Israel. Despite his crucial role in leading David’s army to victory in numerous battles, he was also known for his disloyalty, vindictive behavior, and ruthlessly cruel acts. As I was studying the book of 2 Samuel, I found several examples that demonstrate Joab’s complex character not only as a highly-skilled military leader but also as a man who disregarded the king’s orders and engaged in deceitful and violent behavior.
Joab Was A Skilled General Tested in Battle
Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was a prominent military commander. He was known for his strategic mind and tactical prowess, qualities that made him one of the most successful military leaders of his time.
In 2 Samuel 2:12-32, Joab demonstrates his strategic skills in a battle between the forces of David and those of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul. In this battle, Joab leads a small party of men and secures a victory over Ishbosheth’s army. The battle shows Joab’s ability to effectively lead his troops and outmaneuver his opponents.
In 2 Samuel 10, Joab again shows his strategic mind as he leads David’s forces into battle against the Ammonites. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Joab outwits and defeats the enemy using a clever strategy. The victory was a testament to Joab’s ability to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to complex problems.
Joab’s tactical skills are also evident in 2 Samuel 12:26-29, where he leads David’s forces in a siege of the city of Rabbah. The siege of Rabbah demonstrated Joab’s understanding of siege warfare and his ability to execute complex operations precisely.
Joab’s skills as a general are further highlighted in 2 Samuel 20:4-22. In this battle, Joab leads David’s army against the rebels led by Sheba, son of Bichri. Joab quickly and efficiently defeats the rebels, demonstrating his ability to act quickly and decisively in the face of danger.
Finally, in 1 Chronicles 11:6-9, Joab is described as “a great soldier” whom David chose to lead his army. This description, combined with Joab’s numerous military victories, is a testament to his skills as a general.
Joab Was Disloyal to the King
Despite his important role in leading David’s army to victory in many battles, Joab was also known for his disloyalty to the king.
One instance of Joab’s disloyalty to David can be found in 2 Samuel 3:22-27. In this passage, King David orders Joab not to execute his rival, Abner, who had been a general for King Saul. Despite David’s command, Joab kills Abner. This disobedience towards King David’s orders demonstrates Joab’s disloyalty to the king.
Another example of Joab’s disloyalty can be seen in 2 Samuel 18:14. In this passage, Joab leads a military attack against his cousin, Absalom, the son of King David, who had rebelled against his father. Despite being ordered by King David not to harm Absalom, Joab disregards the king’s command and kills Absalom amid battle. This act of disobedience towards King David’s orders again demonstrates Joab’s disloyalty to the king.
In 2 Samuel 20:9-10, Joab continues to show his disloyalty to King David by ignoring David’s orders to capture Sheba. Joab instead cunningly and deceitfully murders him. This act of disobedience towards King David’s orders once again highlights Joab’s disloyalty to the king.
These examples from 2 Samuel demonstrate that Joab was a skilled military commander but also a man disloyal to King David. Despite his success in leading David’s army to victory, his disregard for the king’s orders and his deceitful behavior towards those who opposed him highlight his lack of loyalty to the king.
Joab Was Vindictive and Ruthlessly Cruel
Joab was also not only disloyal to King David but he was also known for his cruelty and vindictiveness.
In 2 Samuel 3:22-27, Joab kills Abner, the commander of King Saul’s army, despite King David sparing Abner’s life and releasing him to go home. Unbeknownst to David, Joab caught up with Abner, lured him into a trap, and stabbed him to death as revenge for Abner killing Joab’s brother in battle. This act of treachery demonstrates Joab’s willingness to engage in violence and disregard for the king’s commands.
In 2 Samuel 18:14, Joab murders King David’s son, Absalom, despite King David’s explicit instructions to spare his life. Absolom was retreating when he got caught up in tree branches. As Absalom was dangling in the tree, Joab thrust three spears into Absalom’s heart. This cruelty further underscores his disregard for the king’s commands and his willingness to engage in violence.
Finally, in 2 Samuel 20:9-10, Joab ignored King David’s order to stop pursuing Sheba, a rebel against the king, and instead set a trap for his cousin Amasa. Acting as a friend, Joab came close, grabbed Amasa by the beard, and stabbed him to death. Again, this act of defiance and violence shows his willingness to engage in violence and disregard for the king’s commands.
Conclusion
The story of Joab serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring leaders. While his military tactics and strategic prowess may have contributed to his initial success, his lack of integrity, empathy, and foresight ultimately led to his downfall. Instead, he was focused on self-promotion. He was disloyal, willing to ignore the king and do whatever he felt would advance him in the kingdom. Ultimately, as King David was dying, he ordered his son, Solomon, to finally bring justice to Joab for all his misdeeds.
Leaders must possess tactical skills, as well as moral and emotional intelligence, the ability to see the long-term consequences of their actions, and the courage to make tough but right decisions. Any leader without these attributes needs to be removed from the organization as soon as possible.
Discussion Questions
These questions can serve as a useful framework for guiding a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the article and how its insights and perspectives apply to our lives today.
- What are some warning signs that someone may be headed for a significant rise and fall in their career, and how can you recognize and address them as a leader?
- How can you support employees who experience a fall in their career while also protecting your organization and its reputation?
- In what ways can you cultivate a culture that values long-term success and sustainability over short-term gains and individual achievements?
- How can you promote diversity and inclusion in your organization to prevent groupthink and encourage different perspectives that can prevent potential failures?
- What steps can you take to ensure that your organization’s values and goals align with those of its leaders, and how can you hold leaders accountable for their actions and decisions?
More Articles
I have written several articles recently on character. You can find them by typing “Character” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites.
- #518: Should Christian Leaders Be Prepared to Respond to Persecution Today?
- #492: Do You Have What It Takes to be A Powerful Biblical Leader?
- #491: Biblical Leadership Is Serious Business Not to Be Entered into Lightly!
- #487: Wise Workplace Disciples Have These 5 Character Traits in Common
- #484: Do You Recognize These 9 Warning Signs of a Failing Leader?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you ever worked with or for a “Joab?” How did their flawed character impact the organization?
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Category: Personal Development | Character
