Joash יוֹאָשׁ
A Benjaminite warrior who joined David at Ziklag
Who is Joash in the Bible?
Joash, the son of Shemaah the Gibeathite, was a Benjaminite warrior who joined David at Ziklag while David was fleeing from King Saul, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 12:3. Along with his brother Jeziel, Joash was noted for his skill with bow and sling, making him a valuable military asset during David's period of exile. These Benjaminite warriors provided crucial military support to David both during his time as a fugitive and later when he became king over Israel, demonstrating the loyalty and martial prowess of those who rallied to David's cause in his darkest hours.
Biography
Joash, the son of Shemaah the Gibeathite, is mentioned in 1Ch.12.3 as one of the Benjaminite warriors who joined David at Ziklag when he was fleeing from King Saul. Along with his brother Jeziel, Joash is described as a skillful archer and slingshot user. These warriors from the tribe of Benjamin provided valuable military support to David during his time of exile and later when he became king over Israel.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 12:3
"Ahiezer their chief and Joash, who were the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite;"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹאָשׁ |
Joash (1)
.15">29,30,31; 7:14; 8:13,19,32). Gideon declares (Jud 6:15) that the family is the poorest in Manasseh, words similar to those of Saul (1Sa 9:21), and not to be taken too literally. Joash would be a man of standing and wealth, for Gideon was able to command 10 servants to destroy the altar and the Asherah (Jud 6:27,34), and also to summon the whole clan to follow him. Further, the altar that Joash had was that used by the community (Jud 6:28), so that he would be the priest, not only of his own family qua paterfamilias, but also of the community in virtue of his position as chief. When Gideon destroyed the altar and the Asherah or sacred pillar by it, Joash refused to deliver his son to death, declaring that Baal, if he was a god, should avenge himself (compare Elijah in 1Ki 18).
(2) Called "the king's son" (1Ki 22:26; 2Ch 18:25; compare Jer 36:26; 38:6), or, less probably, "the son of Hammelech," the Revised Version margin; perhaps a son of Ahab. Micaiah the prophet was handed over to his custody and that of Amon by Ahab.
(3) A Judahite, descendant of Shelah (1Ch 4:22).
(4) A Benjamite recruit of David at Ziklag. Commentators read here, "Joash the son of Shemaiah (or Jehoshamai), the Gibeathite" (1Ch 12:3).
(5) In 2Ki 11:2, etc. = Jehoash, king of Judah.
(6) In 2Ki 13:9, etc. = Jehoash, king of Northern Israel.
David Francis Roberts
(1) A Benjamite, or, more probably, a Zebulunite (1Ch 7:8).
(2) One of David's officers; Joash was "over the cellars of oil" (<ref osisRe