Who was Shomer in the Bible?

Shomer, also called Shimrith, was a Moabite woman. She is mentioned as the mother of Jozabad (or Zabad), one of the men who assassinated King Joash of Judah (2 Chronicles 24:26).

Why is Shomer significant in the Bible?

Her significance comes from her son's role in a major political event. She is noted as the mother of a conspirator, highlighting how the consequences of King Joash's unfaithfulness reached even into his own household.

What does the Bible say about Shomer's life?

The Bible provides very few details about her life. The key event recorded is that she was the mother of Jozabad, who, along with another man, killed King Joash for murdering the priest Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-25).

Shomer

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKingMother

Shomer (or Shimrith) was a Moabite woman, the mother of Jozabad (or Zabad), who was one of the assassins of King Joash of Judah.

Shomer

Biography

Shomer, also rendered Shimrith in 2 Chronicles 24:26, was a Moabite woman who appears in the historical records of the Divided Monarchy period primarily as the mother of Jozabad (called Zabad in Chronicles), one of the conspirators who assassinated King Joash of Judah. The account in 2 Kings 12:21 names her son among those who struck down the king as he lay ill at Beth-millo. That a Moabite woman raised a son capable of royal assassination in Judah speaks to the complex social fabric of the period, when foreign women were integrated into Judahite society despite ongoing prophetic tensions over intermarriage. Her Moabite origin is specifically noted by the Chronicler, suggesting its relevance to the theological evaluation of Joash's reign.

Significance

Shomer's inclusion in the biblical narrative, however brief, reflects the Chronicler's deliberate theological commentary on foreign influence within the covenant community during the era of apostasy following Jehoiada's death. The murder of Joash, who had turned from the LORD and ordered the stoning of Zechariah the priest (2 Chronicles 24:20-22), is presented as divine judgment. That instruments of that judgment included a son born of a Moabite woman underscores the theme that God may use unexpected agents to accomplish his purposes. Her story invites reflection on accountability, the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, and the sovereignty of God over the political upheavals of Israel's monarchy.

Verse Appearances (2)

2Kgs

2Kgs 12:21

2Chr

2Chr 24:26

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]

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