Shephatiah שְׁפַטְיָהוּ
Benjamite warrior who joined David
Who is Shephatiah in the Bible?
Shephatiah was a Benjamite warrior who joined David at Ziklag while David was in hiding from King Saul, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 12:5. He is listed among a group of skilled Benjamite fighters who were known for their bravery and exceptional combat abilities, capable of wielding bows and sling stones with either hand. Shephatiah's decision to align himself with David, despite belonging to the tribe of the king who was pursuing him, demonstrates the loyalty and courage of those who supported the future king during his exile. His inclusion among David's followers underscores the growing military support that would eventually help establish David's reign over Israel.
Biography
Shephatiah was a Benjamite warrior who joined David at Ziklag while David was hiding from King Saul, as recorded in 1Ch.12.5. He is listed among the Benjamites who were described as brave warriors, expert with the bow, and able to shoot arrows or sling stones right-handed or left-handed. These skilled warriors aligned themselves with David and provided him with valuable military support during his time of exile and conflict with Saul. Shephatiah's presence among David's followers demonstrates the loyalty and courage of those who rallied around the future king.
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 12:5
"Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite;"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁפַטְיָהוּ |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Shephatiah
r of Meshullam, of Jerusalem (1Ch 9:8).
(3) A Benjamite, who joined David at Ziklag (1Ch 12:5).
(4) A prince of the Simeonites in the time of David (1Ch 27:16).
(5) A son of King Jehoshaphat (2Ch 21:2).
(6) A family, 372 of whom returned with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:4; Ne 7:9); 80 more males of this family, with their head, returned with Ezra (Ezr 8:8).
(7) A servant of Solomon, 392 of whose descendants returned with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:57 f; Ne 7:59 f); "Saphat" in 1 Esdras 5:9 and "Saphatias" in 1 Esdras 8:34.
(8) A Perezzite (Judahite), some of whose descendants dwelt at Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah (Ne 11:4).
(9) A son of Mattan, a contemporary of Jeremiah (Jer 38:1).
James Orr
1Name and References
The word denotes "lowland," and is variously rendered in the King James Version. It is "vale" in De 1:7<