Shammah: One of David's Mighty Men
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Shammah, son of Agee the Hararite, is recognized as one of the illustrious "Mighty Men" who served under King David, as recorded in the Old Testament. His account is primarily found in 2 Samuel 23:11-12, where his valor and dedication to Israel are highlighted.

Biblical Account and Heroic Deeds

Shammah's most notable act of bravery is recounted in 2 Samuel 23:11-12 : "And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory."

This passage underscores Shammah's courage and steadfastness. When the Israelites retreated in fear, Shammah stood firm, defending a field of lentils against the Philistines. His solitary stand against overwhelming odds not only demonstrated his personal bravery but also his unwavering faith in God's deliverance. The text attributes the victory to the LORD, indicating that Shammah's faith and actions were instrumental in securing divine intervention.

Role Among David's Mighty Men

Shammah is listed among the "Three," a group of elite warriors who were renowned for their extraordinary feats and loyalty to David. The "Three" held a position of high honor and were distinguished from the "Thirty," a larger group of David's warriors. Shammah's inclusion in this elite group highlights his exceptional skills and dedication.

Historical and Theological Significance

Shammah's account is emblematic of the themes of faith, courage, and divine intervention that permeate the biblical narrative. His willingness to stand alone in defense of his people and land serves as a powerful testament to the strength that comes from faith in God. The account of Shammah's victory is a reminder of the LORD's power to deliver His people through those who trust in Him.

Cultural and Contextual Insights

The setting of Shammah's battle, a field of lentils, may seem mundane, yet it underscores the importance of defending the land God had given to Israel. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, fields were vital for sustenance and survival. Shammah's defense of this field symbolizes the broader struggle to protect the inheritance and blessings bestowed by God.

Legacy

Shammah's legacy is preserved in the biblical record as a model of valor and faithfulness. His account continues to inspire believers to stand firm in their convictions, trusting in God's power to bring about victory even in the face of overwhelming challenges. As one of David's Mighty Men, Shammah's life exemplifies the qualities of loyalty, courage, and reliance on God that are esteemed throughout the Scriptures.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Samuel 23:25
Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jehovah-Shammah: a Glorious Name for the New Year
... low, and the Lord helped me," said David; and we ... be with thee then." In the furnace
one like unto ... Jehovah-shammah makes a seven-times-heated furnace a pleasant ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/jehovah-shammah a glorious name for.htm

The Shepherd-King
... the Lord chosen this.9. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass ... One can fancy the looks of
his brothers as they bitterly ... 1 Samuel 17:28 shows what they felt to David. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the shepherd-king.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... are described at length in the duel between David and Goliath (1 ... even when a truce
was made at one locality, the ... deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Doctrine of God
... Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is present (Ezek.48:35 ... on which the universe was conducted
was one of absolute ... be the portion of their cup." This is David's reply to ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

Chapter xlix
... of those of Gad we read in David's time 1 ... That "being gathered unto his people" is
one thing, and ... Shammah, "thither," is often weakened down to a mere "there ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Resources
Who were the mighty men of David? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different names of God, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jesse in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Shammah

Shammah: A Hararite, One of David's Mighty Men

Shammah: David's Brother

Shammah: David's Brother: Called Shimea

Shammah: David's Brother: Called Shimeah

Shammah: David's Brother: Called Shimma

Shammah: One of David's Mighty Men

Shammah: One of David's Mighty Men, Son of Agee

Shammah: One of David's Mighty Men: Called Shammoth

Shammah: Son of Reuel

Related Terms

Jehovah-shammah

Agee (1 Occurrence)

Nahath (5 Occurrences)

Jehovahshammah

Reuel (14 Occurrences)

Reu'el (10 Occurrences)

Mizzah (3 Occurrences)

Hararite (4 Occurrences)

Zerah (22 Occurrences)

Jashen (1 Occurrence)

Lentils (4 Occurrences)

Grandsons (9 Occurrences)

Esau's (13 Occurrences)

Basmath (7 Occurrences)

Bashemath (6 Occurrences)

Bas'emath (7 Occurrences)

Basemath (7 Occurrences)

Ararite (2 Occurrences)

Har'arite (4 Occurrences)

Jesse (45 Occurrences)

Oldest (58 Occurrences)

Jehovah-the (1 Occurrence)

Jehonadab (2 Occurrences)

Lehi (5 Occurrences)

Lentiles (4 Occurrences)

Troop (28 Occurrences)

Eldest (17 Occurrences)

Eli'ka (1 Occurrence)

Elika (1 Occurrence)

Ela (2 Occurrences)

Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)

Duke (14 Occurrences)

Dukes (14 Occurrences)

Plot (53 Occurrences)

Byword (14 Occurrences)

Banded (15 Occurrences)

Chiefs (227 Occurrences)

Abin'adab (10 Occurrences)

Abinadab (12 Occurrences)

Ahi'am (2 Occurrences)

Ahiam (2 Occurrences)

Shimea (6 Occurrences)

Shammai (5 Occurrences)

Shamma (1 Occurrence)

Sharar (1 Occurrence)

Shamgar (2 Occurrences)

Eliab (20 Occurrences)

Esau (89 Occurrences)

Descended (64 Occurrences)

Older (43 Occurrences)

Collected (55 Occurrences)

Shimei (43 Occurrences)

Troops (92 Occurrences)

Israel's (72 Occurrences)

Bit (46 Occurrences)

Edom (108 Occurrences)

Causeth (209 Occurrences)

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)

Descendants (326 Occurrences)

Piece (93 Occurrences)

First-born (110 Occurrences)

Harod (3 Occurrences)

Harodite (2 Occurrences)

Shammoth (1 Occurrence)

Shimma (1 Occurrence)

Fled (181 Occurrences)

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)

Portion (227 Occurrences)

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Battle (282 Occurrences)

David (1052 Occurrences)

Names (133 Occurrences)

Shammah: David's Brother: Called Shimma
Top of Page
Top of Page