Shomer
The Name Shomer
Shomer is a Hebrew name meaning "watchman," "guardian," or "keeper," derived from the verb meaning "to watch" or "to keep." This name, with its connotations of vigilance and protection, was given to at least two individuals in the Old Testament. The name's meaning is ironic in the case of the first Shomer, whose child was involved in regicide rather than protection.
Shomer, Parent of Jozabad
The first Shomer appears in 2 Kings 12:21 as the parent of Jozabad (also spelled Jozachar), one of the two servants who conspired to assassinate King Joash (also called Jehoash) of Judah around 796 BC. The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 24:26 identifies the same person as "Shimrith, a Moabitess," suggesting that Shomer may have been a woman (the mother of the assassin) and of Moabite origin.
The assassination of Joash was a dramatic event in Judah's history. Joash had begun his reign as a reformer who repaired the temple under the guidance of the priest Jehoiada (2 Kings 12:1-16; 2 Chronicles 24:1-14). However, after Jehoiada's death, Joash turned to idolatry and even ordered the killing of Jehoiada's son Zechariah, who prophesied against him (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). His servants then conspired against him and killed him on his bed, avenging the blood of Zechariah.
Shomer of Asher
The second Shomer is listed in 1 Chronicles 7:32 as one of the sons of Heber, a descendant of Asher. This Shomer is also called Shemer in some manuscripts and translations. He was the father of Ahi, Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram (1 Chronicles 7:34). The genealogy of Asher in 1 Chronicles 7:30-40 describes the tribe's leading families, noting that they were "heads of fathers' houses, approved, mighty warriors, chief of the princes" (1 Chronicles 7:40).
The tribe of Asher received territory along the Mediterranean coast in northern Canaan (Joshua 19:24-31), a fertile region known for its agricultural abundance. Jacob's blessing predicted that Asher's food would be rich and he would yield royal delicacies (Genesis 49:20).
The Assassination of Joash
The story of Joash's murder is a sobering narrative about the consequences of spiritual decline. A king who owed his very survival to the faithfulness of the priest Jehoiada turned against Jehoiada's family after the priest's death. The murder of Zechariah — who cried out as he died, "May the LORD see and avenge!" (2 Chronicles 24:22) — set in motion the judgment that ended Joash's life.
That the assassins included the child of a Moabite woman (if Shomer/Shimrith was indeed Moabite) adds another layer to the narrative. Foreign influence in the royal court, a recurring concern in the books of Kings and Chronicles, here manifests in the most violent way possible.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The irony of the name Shomer — "watchman" or "guardian" — in connection with an assassination plot has not been lost on commentators. A parent named "guardian" producing a child who becomes a killer of kings inverts the name's meaning. Throughout Scripture, the watchman image is associated with prophetic vigilance (Ezekiel 3:17; 33:7) and faithful service. This Shomer's legacy stands as a cautionary contrast to the faithful watchmen God calls his people to be.
Biblical Context
Shomer appears in 2 Kings 12:21 as the parent of one of King Joash's assassins, with the parallel in 2 Chronicles 24:26 identifying this person as Shimrith, a Moabitess. A second Shomer appears in 1 Chronicles 7:32 as a descendant of Asher through Heber. Both references are embedded in genealogical and historical records.
Theological Significance
The story of Joash's assassination through Shomer's child illustrates the biblical principle that sin brings consequences. Joash's turn to idolatry and his murder of Zechariah resulted in his own violent death. The narrative warns that even divinely elevated leaders are not immune to judgment when they abandon faithfulness. The contrast between the name 'watchman' and the act of regicide highlights the gap between calling and conduct.
Historical Background
King Joash of Judah reigned from approximately 835 to 796 BC. His assassination is recorded in both Kings and Chronicles, with the Chronicles account providing additional detail about his spiritual decline after Jehoiada's death. The mention of a Moabite connection (Shimrith) reflects the ongoing presence of foreign populations in Judah's social fabric. The tribe of Asher, to which the second Shomer belonged, occupied territory in the Galilee region, an area of mixed population throughout the biblical period.