Shammah
Shammah (or Shammoth) the Harodite was one of David's mighty men, known for his bravery and skill in battle.
Biography
Shammah the Harodite, also identified as Shammoth in some textual traditions, was numbered among the elite warriors who formed the inner circle of David's mighty men. He appears in the lists preserved in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11, catalogs that celebrate the extraordinary valor of those who supported David from his early days as a fugitive through his establishment as king. Harodite identifies him with the region of Harod in the Jezreel Valley, a geographically significant area with strong military associations. His exploits and reputation were sufficient to earn him a place among the most celebrated soldiers in Israelite history, men whose courage forged the foundation of David's kingdom.
Significance
Shammah the Harodite embodies the theme of courageous loyalty that pervades the narrative of David's rise to power. The mighty men as a collective represent the human instruments through whom God preserved and established David's kingdom, itself a critical link in the line leading to the Messiah. These warriors' willingness to risk their lives for David, who was often a fugitive pursued by enemies, mirrors the selfless devotion that Scripture calls all believers to exhibit toward God's anointed. Their catalog in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11 serves as a permanent memorial to those whose faithfulness sustained God's redemptive purposes.
Verse Appearances (2)
2Sam
1Chr
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]