IOAB (Hebr. Jô'âbh “Jahweh is Father”). — Son of Sarvia, David’s sister (v.), he was a leading figure during his uncle’s reign. During the first seven years he led David’Isboseth (v.), ABENESRA (v.), whom he subsequently treacherously killed (just as he was attempting to draw closer to David) in order to avenge the death of his brother Asael (II Sam. 2–3). When David laid siege to Jerusalem, an audacious exploit by I. brought about its fall; this earned him the office of supreme general (II Sam. 5, 6–8; I Par. 11, 4–6). He distinguished himself in the wars against the Ammonites, the Arameans, and especially the Edomites, whom he all but exterminated (II Sam. 10–11; Ps. 59, 2; I Reg. 11, 14–21).
During the Ammonite war he became his uncle’s CURIA (v.). He intervened with David to have his banished cousin Absalom return (II Sam. 14); but when the latter attempted to depose his father, I., having defeated him in battle, killed him with his own hand, unarmed and in defiance of David’s prohibition (II Sam. 18). He also treacherously killed another cousin, Amasa, whom David, in order to punish I., had placed in command of the army during the revolt of Seba, which I. subsequently suppressed (II Sam. 20, 4–13). Against his will, he carried out the census ordered by the king, with disastrous consequences (II Sam. 24). He was already old when Salomone succeeded David: Adonia (v.) rather than him, he was put to death by Salomone near the altar where he had taken refuge (I Reg. 1–2). A man of rare political acumen and a very brave soldier and commander, he was nevertheless wicked. Ambition was the primary motive behind all his crimes.
Another I. was famous for a lineage of artisans (I Par. 4, 14). The descendants of another I. were among those who returned from the Babylonian exile (Esd. 2, 6).