An armor-bearer in biblical times was a personal attendant responsible for carrying and managing the armor and weapons of a warrior, typically a king or a high-ranking military officer. This role was not merely logistical but also held significant trust and honor, as the armor-bearer often accompanied their master into battle and was expected to provide support and protection.

Biblical References:

1. Saul and Jonathan's Armor-bearers:
· The most notable mention of armor-bearers in the Bible is in the context of King Saul and his son Jonathan. In 1 Samuel 14:6-7 , Jonathan, the son of King Saul, speaks to his young armor-bearer before attacking a Philistine outpost: "Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, 'Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.' His armor-bearer replied, 'Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.'"
· This passage highlights the loyalty and courage expected of an armor-bearer, as Jonathan's armor-bearer expresses unwavering support for his master’s bold plan.

2. Saul's Death:
· In 1 Samuel 31:4-5 , the armor-bearer of King Saul is mentioned during the king's final moments: "Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, 'Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!' But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his own sword and died with him."
· This account illustrates the deep bond and shared fate between a warrior and his armor-bearer, as well as the intense pressure and moral dilemmas faced by those in such roles.

3. Abimelech's Armor-bearer:
· Another significant mention is found in Judges 9:54 , where Abimelech, a ruler of Shechem, is mortally wounded by a woman who drops a millstone on his head. He then calls to his young armor-bearer: "He quickly called his armor-bearer and said, 'Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, "A woman killed him."' So his armor-bearer ran him through, and he died."
· This incident underscores the armor-bearer's role in ensuring the honor of their master, even in death.

Role and Responsibilities:

The armor-bearer was responsible for the care and transport of the warrior's weapons, which could include swords, shields, and other battle gear. In addition to logistical duties, the armor-bearer was expected to be a confidant and a source of encouragement, often participating directly in combat situations. The position required bravery, loyalty, and a readiness to act decisively in critical moments.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications:

In a spiritual sense, the role of an armor-bearer can be seen as a metaphor for the support and loyalty required in Christian fellowship and leadership. Just as an armor-bearer was essential to the success and safety of a warrior, believers are called to support one another in their spiritual battles, bearing each other's burdens and standing firm in faith.

The armor-bearer’s role, while practical, also carried a deep relational and spiritual significance, reflecting the biblical themes of loyalty, service, and sacrificial support.(n.) One who carries the armor or arms of another; an armiger.ARMOR-BEARER

ar'-mer-bar'-er (nose' keli; Greek uses a phrase, ho airon ta skeue, literally "the one carrying the armor"): One who carried the large shield and perhaps other weapons for a king (1 Samuel 31:4), commander-in-chief (2 Samuel 23:37), captain (1 Samuel 14:7) or champion (1 Samuel 17:7). All warriors of distinction had such an attendant. Rather than perish by the hand of a woman, Abimelech called upon his armor-bearer to give him the finishing stroke (Judges 9:54), and when King Saul's armor-bearer refused to do this office for him that he might not become the prisoner of the Philistines, he took a sword himself and fell upon it (1 Samuel 31:4). David became Saul's armor-bearer for a time, and Jonathan's armor-bearer was a man of resource and courage (1 Samuel 14:7). The shield-bearer was a figure well known in the chariots of Egypt and Assyria and the Hittites, his business being to protect his fighting companion during the engagement.

T. Nicol.

Jonathan's Brave Deed
... Perhaps Jehovah will act for us, for there is nothing that can keep Jehovah from
delivering his people either by many or by few." His armor-bearer replied, "Do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jonathans brave deed.htm

The Death of Two Brave Warriors
... Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me with it, so that
these heathen Philistines may not come and make sport of me." But his armor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the death of two brave.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... Now Saul's son agreed with his armor-bearer, that they would go privately to the
enemy's camp, and make a tumult and a disturbance among them. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the philistines.htm

The First Kings.
... foe. But Jonathan determined to make a bold onset, and, with his armor-bearer,
climbed a high cliff, and fell upon the Philistines. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Now Saul Upon God's not Answering Him Concerning the Fight with ...
... had received so many wounds, that he was not able to bear up nor to oppose any longer,
and yet was not able to kill himself, he bade his armor-bearer draw his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 now saul upon.htm

The Power of a Pebble.
... Goliath came on also, his armor-bearer carrying the shield before him, but when
he saw the youth David, he despised him, for he was without armor, or sword or ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xx the power of.htm

Faithful unto Death.
... The next day he went out to the rock in the field with his armor-bearer
and sent him on before. When he shot an arrow, he cried: ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxi faithful unto death.htm

David's victory Over the Giant
... his son David. So David came to Saul and entered his service; and Saul
loved him and he became his armor-bearer. Saul sent this ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/davids victory over the giant.htm

Accordingly, Saul, Having Been First Anointed by Samuel with the ...
... In these circumstances, Jonathan, with an audacious design, and with his armor-bearer
as his only companion, entered the camp of the enemy, and having slain ...
/.../chapter xxxiii accordingly saul having.htm

How David Fell in Love with Bathsheba, and Slew Her Husband Uriah ...
... to death]. So the king sent for Joab's armor-bearer from the siege, who
was the woman's husband, and his name was Uriah. And when ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how david fell.htm

Armorbearer (11 Occurrences)
... a sword himself and fell upon it (1 Samuel 31:4). David became Saul's armor-bearer
for a time, and Jonathan's armor-bearer was a ...Armorbearer (11 Occurrences). ...
/a/armorbearer.htm - 11k

Armor-bearer (15 Occurrences)
Armor-bearer. Armorbearer, Armor-bearer. Armorbearers . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
Armorbearer, Armor-bearer. Armorbearers . Reference Bible.
/a/armor-bearer.htm - 12k

Bearer (23 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:54 Then he called hastily to the young man his armorbearer, and said to
him, "Draw your sword, and kill me, that men not say of me,'A woman killed him ...
/b/bearer.htm - 14k

Abuse (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 31:4 Then said Saul to his armorbearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me
through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and ...
/a/abuse.htm - 13k

Mock (43 Occurrences)
... But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. ... 1 Chronicles 10:4 Then said
Saul unto his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith ...
/m/mock.htm - 23k

Uncircumcised (48 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 31:4 Then said Saul to his armorbearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me
through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and ...
/u/uncircumcised.htm - 25k

Terrified (88 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 31:4 Then said Saul to his armorbearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me
through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and ...
/t/terrified.htm - 30k

Thrust (92 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:54 Then he called hastily to the young man his armorbearer, and said to
him, "Draw your sword, and kill me, that men not say of me,'A woman killed him ...
/t/thrust.htm - 35k

Armor (53 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:54 Then he called hastily to the young man his armorbearer, and said to
him, "Draw your sword, and kill me, that men not say of me,'A woman killed him ...
/a/armor.htm - 41k

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)
... In spite of this, Jonathan, accompanied only by his armor-bearer, surprised the
Philistine outpost at Geba (1 Samuel 14:5, "Gibeah" should be "Geba"), which ...
/j/jonathan.htm - 59k

What is an armor-bearer? Should there be a church position of armor-bearer? | GotQuestions.org

Why are there contradictory accounts regarding the death of Saul in 1 and 2 Samuel? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jonathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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