2 SAMUEL 20
The Revolt of Sheba
There is always some man of evil design ready to use an emergency for evil.
David was a man of promptitude and took immediate measures to quell Sheba's revolt. We ought to cultivate the habit of prompt action. Opportunity soon flies if there is delay. Joab could not brook eclipse. Murder was in his heart if men stood in the way of his wishes. This is the sorest condemnation of Joab with all his useful parts.
He commits a most atrocious and foul murder-in the act of kissing his unsuspecting cousin (a frank and open man). He stabs him for no other reason than that David had promoted him over his head. Some men will be first at any cost. This propensity is a destructive one and must be suppressed at any cost.
Joab appears to have been one of those whom jealousy will not permit them to look cheerfully on the success of another, even a kinsman. It must have been a terrible blow to David to be unable thus to get quit of a man who would sacrifice the interests of the king and the kingdom to his personal jealousy and spite. It was doubtless part of the punishment of David's grievous sin.
The Christadelphian, Dec 1894. p475