Armorbearers International

For nearly twenty years, my wife Earma and I have worked and trained others through the ministry of helps. Ten of those years have been specifically in the area of armorbearing. During that time, God has given us both a love and compassion for His leaders and supporters in the local church. As you may know, this is where our trilogy of books, the Armorbearer Training Series was birthed.

So, over the years I’ve observed a lot of things in the armorbearer ministry, some wonderful and beautiful and some not so beautiful. It’s important to me that you know as I developed this series I had only a leading from the Holy Spirit to teach and bring clarity.

Within that leading, God has given me a concern for armorbearers and our local church leaders as a whole all over the world. Speaking of the world, a few months ago I received word that an Asian Pastor and his armorbearers are using our materials and being a blessing to the Body of Christ. Knowing the power of the written Word upon the wind of the Holy Spirit, Earma and I always do our best in Christ to lay a good pattern for the believers that we influence.

Was Joab a great leader, an asset to his King or did he cause more problems then solutions? Joab was a General in the army of David and his mighty men. This question is about and for church leadership and the emerging leaders in the local church.

Before I start, let me be clear; I had no one specifically in mind while teaching this. The story of Joab has always intrigued me but more importantly, I believe the Holy Spirit instructed me to write this. So the story begins.

Joab was a great leader and military assistant unto King David. In this teaching, we will look at the dos and don’ts of his life. You will discover the best lessons learned from him because his life shows both the good and the bad. If we are wise we can use examples from both sides and apply it to our life.

The Three Sons of Zeruiah

I will build a case as we look at the life of Joab. In I Samuel 26:6 there was a very sore battle that day; Abner (King Saul’s general) was beaten. The men of Israel stood before the servant of David. There were three sons of Zeruiah there; Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Scripture tells us Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

And he pursued after Abner and in going after him (he turned neither to the right nor to the left) from following Abner. This is important to know about this incident, you have this great leader Abner that has lost his battle because of his master’s (King Saul) disobedience to God. David, his master’s opponent was gaining strength. So to humiliate him more Asahel (Joab’s brother) decided to chase him like he was a bunny rabbit.

Just think; have you ever seen I mean ever seen a general chased around by a private or a corporal? And especially after he lost a war, the answer is he’s not having it. So what happened? The general says, “Stop chasing me! What will I say to your brother Joab if I have to hurt you.” Asahel wouldn’t listen and General Abner jerks the butt of his spear backward to deter Asahel. But it goes through Asahel under his fifth rib out his back and he dies. Don’t forget Asahel is Joab’s brother.

David and His Men Spare a Sleeping King

Let’s go to another part of this saga to look at David’s character. In II Samuel 26:7 David and one of his mighty men Abishai (also Joab’s brother) came upon King Saul sleeping in a cave protected by his lead man and general Abner and his men.

Abishai said to David, “The Lord has delivered Saul into your hands; so let me pin him to the ground with my sword.” He goes on to say, “It will only take one time.” But David stayed his hand. This shows the character of David and his men. I don’t think it would have gone this way if the places were switched and Saul had discovered David sleeping. This is proof of the character God was building in His new king and his men. This episode ends with David declaring, “I will not touch God’s anointed!”

My point is when the Scripture tells us David mourned King Saul and Jonathan’s death; we can believe it. David knew in time he would become king. He let God handle Saul. He kept himself and his men and was not found guilty of removing King Saul.

A General Unites Judah and Israel

After the death of King Saul and his two sons, it’s time to unite Judah and Israel. Judah had already accepted David but he needed help. So he negotiated with King’s Saul’s former General Abner and they struck a deal. But there was one factor that David didn’t work in; you know what or who it was, Joab. As the story went, Joab is on his way; he’s coming with revenge on his mind. For after he finds out what happened with Asahel he is in a quiet and concealed rage.

In II Samuel 3 the story continues: Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But according to God’s will David waxed stronger and stronger and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. Specifically in II Samuel 3:12 General Abner (a wise good man) sent messengers to David on his behalf saying, “Whose is the land? Make a covenant with me and behold my hand shall be with thee to bring about all Israel unto thee and he said I will make a covenant with you. David response was, “Okay, but there’s one thing I request. I want my wife Michal back.”

You might be asking as I was, how can a (wise and good) man like General Abner switch sides like that? Well it all started when the General Abner was accused and insulted by King Saul’s son who was king after King Saul died. He said the General had slept with one of King Saul’s concubines called Rizpah.

So, General Abner switched sides and said, “As the Lord lives, I will lead the house of Israel to David today.” The General was filled with anger and said to the King, “This very day I will deliver the kingdom to David into his hands.” Which he did exactly what he said, he met with David and his leaders and made covenant. Then Abner left in peace. David was so encouraged by this event that he put General Abner over all his military forces.

A Murder Under the Fifth Rib

When David’s General Joab returns from battle and was told King Saul’s former general Abner had come by and made a deal with David. Now what do you think happened? Knowing the character of Joab and with revenge on his mind, what would be his (M.O.) mode of operation? Yes; he kills him with a knife under the fifth rib. This is number two death under the fifth rib. Maybe I ought to have titled this teaching ‘Death under the Fifth Rib.”

The writer of (the book of Samuel) tells the story, “Joab sent messengers to Abner to speak with him. As he took him to the side of a gate, he smote him there under the fifth rib. In Joab’s view, he died for the blood of his brother Asahel.

But as David heard of this he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord forever from the blood of Abner, the son of ner. Now this part is powerful; David speaks of the fate of Joab prophetically. He says, “He will not grow old with a gray head. There will be sickness in his family and that he may fall by the sword…”

I know you are saying man, Varn; you are pretty hard on him. The writer continues with the words of David, II Samuel 3:29 “Let it rest on the head of Joab and all his fathers’ house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leans on a staff, or that falls on a sword or that lacks bread.

The Strong Sons of Zeruiah

Those are words that you don’t want your leader to speak over you. II Samuel 3:38 And David says unto his servants, “Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel. I am this day weak though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too hard for me. The Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.”

This is the first real proof of Joab’s character revealed; he is a general in God’s great army. Yet, the Lord uses another great servant to bring his Kingdom together so that they can be as one. The famous Judah and Israel unites and what is the reward for his servant Abner? He receives death; why? Because an insecure, hard headed and rebellious General Joab wants revenge and takes it.

Now, I don’t want to seem too hard on General Joab because later in the story, Scripture tells us he does accomplish great exploits for King David. So Gods covers him because of whom he serves. Even so, I have to say it; it was a heart issue and his days were numbered.

As a leader we should use this as a big example of what not to do. We can all probably say we recognize the Joab spirit at work in others. We can readily point to those who act insecure, hard-headed and rebellious as leaders and supporters. We can point to even those who take revenge when they want it.

But, wait before we go any further, have we turned the light on our own insecurities lately? What have they moved us to do that doesn’t glorify God. Have we spiritually knocked off anyone to secure our position? Have we responded in jealousy and envy when our brother or sister in Christ was promoted?

As I studied for this teaching, I examined myself for insecurities and jealousies that may move me in the wrong direction. Won’t you join me? I realized afresh the sword of God’s Word is a double-edged sword and points both ways. You know, if we do find we have been yielding to the spirit of Joab, repentance opens the way for God’s grace, restoration and forgiveness. When we repent, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins.

And if we have not yielded to the spirit of Joab, let’s continue to resist and guard against this wrong spirit that seeks to sow division and strife in our local church. As we serve and lead in the Kingdom, we embrace the spirit of humility and prayerfulness that King David operated in. We seek to always walk in unity and operate in the love of Christ within our teams.

Rev. Varn Brown and his wife Minister Earma Brown are Christian authors and ministers of the Gospel. Varn, author of A Devotion to Serve and Healing the Wounds of a Fatherless Generation is an ordained second generation Baptist minister. He has served as an Armorbearer and a Helps Ministry Leader for nearly 17 years at Covenant Church, Carrollton TX. He is co-founder of Armorbearers International and Nasa Ministries. Varn and Earma live in Dallas, TX and have two adult children.

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