Zeruiah's three sons were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. Abigail bore Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.

Salma's descendants were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

Othniel's descendants were Hathath and Meonothai, who fathered Ophrah. Seraiah fathered Joab, who fathered the Ge-harashim, because they became artisans.

David had announced, "Whoever first attacks the Jebusites will be appointed chief and commander." When Zeruiah's son Joab went up first, he became chief.

He built up the walls surrounding the city in a complete circle from the terrace ramparts, and Joab repaired the rest of the city.

Joab's brother Abishai was the lieutenant in charge of the platoons. He used his spear to fight and kill 300 men, gaining a reputation distinct from the Three.

The elite forces included Asahel (Joab's brother), Dodo's son Elhanan from Bethlehem,

Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai from Beeroth, who was the armor-bearer for Zeruiah's son Joab,

Zeruiah's son Joab served in charge of the army, Ahilud's son Jehoshaphat was his personal archivist,

In response, David sent out Joab and his entire army of elite soldiers.

When Joab observed that the battle lines were set up to oppose him both in front and behind, he appointed some special forces from Israel and arrayed them to oppose the Arameans,

So Joab and the soldiers who were with him attacked the Arameans in battle formation, and the Arameans retreated in front of him.

When the Ammonites saw the Arameans retreating, they also retreated from Joab's brother Abishai back to the city and Joab left for Jerusalem.

Later the next spring, at the time that kings go out to fight, Joab led out the army, ravaged the territory of the Ammonites, and then went out and attacked Rabbah, while David remained behind in Jerusalem. Joab besieged Rabbah and conquered it.

David ordered Joab and the commanders of the army, "Go take a census of Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan, and bring me a report so I can be aware of the total number."

But Joab replied, "May the LORD increase the population of his people a hundredfold! Your majesty, all of them are your majesty's servants, aren't they? So why should your majesty demand this? Why should he bring guilt to Israel?"

But the king's order overruled Joab, so Joab left, traveled throughout all of Israel, and then returned to Jerusalem

Levi and Benjamin were not included in the census, because what the king had commanded was unethical to Joab.

Furthermore, everything that Samuel the seer, Kish's son Saul, Ner's son Abner, and Zeruiah's son Joab had dedicated all of their dedicated gifts were under the care of Shelomoth and his brothers.

Joab's brother Asahel was fourth for the fourth month, assisted by his son Zebadiah, with 24,000 soldiers in his division.

Zeruiah's son Joab began the census, but never completed it. Nevertheless, God became angry with Israel because of this, so the number was never entered into the official records of the Annals of King David.

and under Ahithophel there was Benaiah's son Jehoiada and Abiathar. Joab served as commander of the king's army.