1 Chronicles 11 · a question people ask
Why does only Chronicles say Joab went up first at Jebus?
The two books tell the day differently, and neither says why. In Chronicles, "David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus)" (11:4). The inhabitants say, "You will not come in here!" (11:5), "Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion" (11:5). David had said, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain" (11:6), and "Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief" (11:6); afterwards "Joab repaired the rest of the city" (11:8). In 2 Samuel, the Jebusites say, "The blind and the lame will keep you out of here" (2 Samuel 5:6), and David says, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul" (2 Samuel 5:8). 2 Samuel doesn't name Joab on that day, and Chronicles has neither the watercourse nor the blind and the lame. The verses are set side by side here as they stand, without joining them.
The verses
“David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s city. David had said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief. David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it David’s city. He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.”