2 Samuel 23 12

2 Samuel 23:12 kjv

But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:12 nkjv

But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:12 niv

But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:12 esv

But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD worked a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:12 nlt

but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 23 verses

2 Samuel 23 12 Meaning

The verse describes the valiant and solitary stand of Shammah, one of David's mighty warriors. When others fled from the attacking Philistines who targeted a crucial lentil field, Shammah held his ground alone. He actively defended the plot, engaging the enemy, resulting in their defeat. This triumph, though executed through Shammah's courage, is explicitly attributed to the Lord, who brought about a great victory. It emphasizes both human faithfulness and divine intervention in delivering a significant deliverance.

2 Samuel 23 12 Context

This verse is found within 2 Samuel chapter 23, which primarily consists of "David's Last Words" and a subsequent list of his mighty warriors. The section detailing these heroes (verses 8-39) serves to demonstrate the exceptional men God used during David's reign, showcasing their bravery and faithfulness. The incident with Shammah takes place during one of the frequent Philistine incursions, highlighting the persistent threat Israel faced from these coastal adversaries. The Philistines, identified here attacking a field of lentils, aimed not only at military conquest but also at economic disruption by seizing or destroying crucial food resources, a tactic that would starve the populace and undermine national stability. Shammah's singular act of valor is positioned alongside other extraordinary feats, emphasizing that despite moments of national flight, God preserved His people through individual obedience and courage, manifesting His power to secure the well-being of Israel.

2 Samuel 23 12 Word analysis

• But he stood (וַיִּתְיַצֵּב): The Hebrew way-yit·yat·tṣēḇ (Niphal imperfect of יצב, yatsab) means "and he took his stand," "he placed himself," or "he established himself firmly." The Niphal stem here signifies a reflexive or passive action, yet in context, it conveys a firm, deliberate, and resolute stand taken by Shammah. It implies a conscious decision not to retreat, even as others fled, highlighting his steadfastness and unyielding determination in the face of danger.
• in the midst of the plot (בְּתוֹךְ הַחֶלְקָה): bə·tōḵ (בְּתוֹךְ) means "in the midst of," "in the heart of," indicating deep engagement within the specified area. ha-ḥel·qaṯ (הַחֶלְקָה), meaning "the plot" or "the portion" (of land), specifically refers to the agricultural field. This "plot of lentils" (verse 11) was not just any piece of land, but a vital food source, making its defense economically and strategically crucial for Israel. Shammah's position signifies active defense from the core of the threatened area.
• and defended it (וַיַּצִּילֶהָ): The Hebrew way·yaṣ·ṣîl·hāh (Hiphil imperfect of נצל, natsal) translates to "and he delivered it," "he rescued it," or "he preserved it." The Hiphil stem indicates causing something to happen, showing Shammah's active role in bringing about its deliverance from destruction or capture. His defense was effective and brought salvation to the land.
• and struck down the Philistines (וַיַּךְ אֶת־פְּלִשְׁתִּים): way·yak (וַיַּךְ, Hiphil imperfect of נכה, nakah) means "and he smote" or "he struck down." This is a common biblical verb for decisive defeat in battle, indicating that Shammah engaged the enemy directly and powerfully. The Pe·liš·tîm (פְּלִשְׁתִּים), or Philistines, were long-standing, formidable adversaries of Israel, known for their military prowess. Shammah's single-handed confrontation of this historical foe magnifies his courage.
• and the Lord brought about (וַיַּעַשׂ יְהוָה): wāy·ya·‘aś (וַיַּעַשׂ, Qal imperfect of עשׂה, asah) means "and He made," "He did," or "He accomplished." The explicit naming of Yahweh (יְהוָה, "the Lord") as the subject is crucial. It firmly attributes the ultimate agency for the victory to God. Shammah acted, but it was God who "made" the victory happen, emphasizing divine orchestration behind human effort.
• a great victory (תְּשׁוּעָה גְדֹלָה): tə·šû·‘āh (תְּשׁוּעָה) signifies "salvation," "deliverance," or "victory." It is frequently used to refer to God's acts of salvation, highlighting His redemptive power. gə·ḏō·lāh (גְדֹלָה) means "great," "large," or "magnificent." The combination emphasizes the magnitude, significance, and extraordinary nature of the triumph. This was not a minor skirmish, but a decisive deliverance achieved against overwhelming odds, explicitly recognized as divine.

• "But he stood in the midst of the plot": This phrase highlights Shammah's courageous act of taking a solitary stand at a critical point. While others fled, his choice to remain and face the enemy, embedded within the field itself, signifies immense personal valor and commitment to defending valuable resources. It presents a stark contrast to the flight of the "people," elevating Shammah's individual initiative.
• "and defended it and struck down the Philistines": This grouping shows Shammah's immediate, proactive, and effective response. His defense was not passive but involved direct, forceful engagement. He physically repelled the invaders and inflicted casualties upon them, transforming a potential rout into a successful defense through direct confrontation. The field itself becomes a battlefield, emphasizing the importance of what was being protected.
• "and the Lord brought about a great victory": This final phrase emphatically assigns the ultimate credit for the triumph to God. Shammah's human courage and action were instrumental, but they were the instruments of a divine outcome. It underscores a key theological principle: while God uses human agents, He is the supreme power who enables and brings about deliverance. This victory, described as "great," demonstrates God's capacity to bring about extraordinary results through faithful individuals, even against seemingly insurmountable odds.

2 Samuel 23 12 Bonus section

Shammah's act of defending a field of lentils (or barley, depending on the parallel account in 1 Chron 11:13-14) signifies more than just a skirmish over food. In ancient agrarian societies, the annual harvest was literally the difference between life and death. Protecting a vital crop from enemy destruction was tantamount to preserving the very lifeblood of the community. This account implicitly challenges the pagan belief in various localized deities associated with land or warfare. The Philistine god Dagon, often linked to grain and fertility, stood no chance against Shammah, who was empowered by Yahweh, the God of Israel. This victory, while tactical, was also a powerful testimony to Yahweh's sovereignty over land, resources, and battles, proving His ultimate supremacy over the limited idols of the Philistines. The incident exemplifies the theme that God can accomplish His purposes through an individual who demonstrates courage and takes a firm stand, even when surrounded by fear and retreat.

2 Samuel 23 12 Commentary

2 Samuel 23:12 encapsulates a profound spiritual truth: human courage combined with divine power yields great victory. Shammah, an otherwise obscure figure, displays remarkable steadfastness, taking a stand when all others fled. His resolute posture in the vital lentil field was not mere bravado but an act of unwavering loyalty to his people and their sustenance. He engaged the Philistines personally and decisively. Crucially, the verse shifts focus from Shammah's impressive actions to the ultimate source of success: "the Lord brought about a great victory." This attribution reminds us that true victory, whether in military conflicts, personal struggles, or spiritual battles, flows from divine enablement. It is not our strength, but God's, working through our obedience and willingness to stand firm, that secures lasting deliverance and breakthrough. Shammah's story teaches that even a single individual's faithfulness, in a small field, can be greatly magnified by God's hand for significant kingdom purposes.