Who was Shammah in the Bible?

Shammah was one of King David's 'mighty men,' an elite group of warriors known for their extraordinary bravery and loyalty. He is specifically mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:11-12 as the son of Agee the Hararite.

What did Shammah do that was so significant?

Shammah's most famous act was single-handedly defending a plot of lentil field from the Philistines when the rest of the Israelite army fled. His courageous stand resulted in a great victory for Israel, as recorded in 2 Samuel 23:11-12.

Why is Shammah's story important for believers today?

Shammah's story exemplifies faithful courage and defending what God has provided, even when standing alone. It shows that God can bring great victory through the steadfast obedience of one person in a seemingly small or ordinary place.

Shammah

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleDavid's warrior

Shammah, one of David's mighty men, single-handedly defended a lentil field against the Philistines, resulting in a great victory for Israel.

Shammah

Biography

This Shammah, son of Agee the Hararite, is celebrated as one of David's three greatest warriors in 2 Samuel 23:11-12. His defining act of heroism occurred when the Philistines gathered at a field sown with lentils and the Israelite forces retreated in fear. Shammah alone stood his ground in the middle of the field, turned to face the enemy, and fought until he had driven off the entire Philistine force. The narrative explicitly attributes the victory not merely to Shammah's physical courage but to divine enablement, stating that the LORD brought about a great victory through him. This account places him among the finest examples of soldierly valor in the Hebrew Bible.

Significance

Shammah's defense of the lentil field stands as one of Scripture's most vivid illustrations of courageous faith in the face of overwhelming odds. While his fellow soldiers fled, Shammah recognized that Israel's land, even a single humble field, was worth defending as a sacred inheritance given by God. The theological note that the LORD granted the victory underscores that human bravery, when aligned with divine purpose, becomes the instrument of miraculous deliverance. His story invites reflection on steadfast faithfulness in moments of communal failure and the truth that God can work through a single committed individual to turn the tide of a seemingly lost cause.

Verse Appearances (1)

2Sam

2Sam 23:11

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources