Joab had been replaced by Amasa as army general and used this opportunity to get rid of his rival, probably in hopes of being reinstated as general.
Amasa kishte zëvendësuar Joabin si gjeneral ushtrie, prandaj Joabi shfrytëzoi rastin për ta hequr qafe rivalin e tij, mbase me shpresën që të bëhej sërish gjeneral.