In the Bible, An Armor Bearer is a soldier-servant who carried his master’s shield and other supplies (1 Sam. 14:15). Armor bearers were typically young relatives or slaves of the soldier. The command “be thou my armor bearer” (2 Sam. 19:8) has been interpreted by some Christian scholars to describe the literal presence of the Lord Jesus Christ as shield and buckler beside His people in warfare (cf. Psa. 18:35; Jer. 1:18; 2 Cor. 6:7).
The armour bearer is an officer selected by kings and generals because of his bravery, not only to bear their armour, but also to stand by them in times of danger. According to Easton (1996:97–98), they were the adjudants of our modern armies (Judg. 9:54; 1 Sam. 14:7; 16:21; 31:6).
The Bible is a vast and complex library of literature. It contains many different stories, each with its own unique characters and plot lines. However, there are some characters that appear in more than one story. One of these recurring characters is the armor bearer. In this blog, we’ll discuss the history of armor bearer, the characteristics of an armor bearer, what an armor bearer was, who they were in relation to other people in the Bible, and what their duties were.
11 Functions of an Armor Bearer
1. Support the Leader
An armor bearer’s primary function is to support and assist their leader in any way possible. This may include carrying their armor, weapons, or any other necessary items, as well as providing physical or emotional support.
2. Protect the Leader
One of the most crucial functions of an armor bearer is to ensure the safety and protection of their leader. This may involve standing guard, scouting ahead for potential threats, or intervening in dangerous situations to keep the leader safe.
3. Serve as a Confidant
An armor bearer should be someone that the leader can trust and confide in. They may be privy to sensitive information or decisions and should handle this knowledge with discretion and loyalty.
4. Assist in Battle
During times of conflict or battle, an armor bearer plays a vital role in assisting their leader. This may involve fighting alongside them, providing backup, or tending to wounds and injuries.
5. Provide Encouragement
In moments of doubt or discouragement, an armor bearer should be there to provide words of encouragement and support to lift the leader’s spirits.
6. Attend to Practical Needs
From fetching water to preparing meals, an armor bearer is responsible for attending to the practical needs of their leader to ensure they can focus on their duties without distraction.
7. Maintain Equipment
An armor bearer should ensure that their leader’s equipment, such as armor and weapons, are in top condition and ready for use at all times.
8. Facilitate Communication
Acting as a liaison between the leader and others, an armor bearer helps to facilitate communication and ensure that messages are relayed accurately and in a timely manner.
9. Provide Convoy Support
When traveling, an armor bearer may provide convoy support by organizing transportation, coordinating logistics, and ensuring the safety and security of the group.
10. Act as a Bodyguard
In addition to protecting the leader, an armor bearer may also serve as a bodyguard, intercepting threats and ensuring the leader’s physical safety at all times.
11. Show Loyalty and Dedication
Above all, an armor bearer must demonstrate unwavering loyalty and dedication to their leader, putting their needs and priorities above their own and always acting in the best interests of the leader and their mission.
Tables can be used to illustrate the various functions of an armor bearer in a clear and organized manner:
| Function | Description |
|———-|————-|
| Support the Leader | Assist and support the leader in any way possible |
| Protect the Leader | Ensure the safety and protection of the leader |
| Serve as a Confidant | Be a trusted confidant and handle sensitive information with discretion |
| Assist in Battle | Aid the leader during times of conflict and battle |
| Provide Encouragement | Offer words of encouragement and support |
| Attend to Practical Needs | Handle practical tasks such as fetching water and preparing meals |
| Maintain Equipment | Ensure equipment is in top condition and ready for use |
| Facilitate Communication | Act as a liaison and ensure accurate and timely communication |
| Provide Convoy Support | Organize transportation and ensure group safety while traveling |
| Act as a Bodyguard | Intercept threats and ensure the leader’s physical safety |
| Show Loyalty and Dedication | Demonstrate unwavering loyalty and dedication to the leader |
Armor-Bearer Meaning
The term “armor-bearer” holds great meaning and significance, representing the role of a devoted assistant or servant. (ˈɑːrmərˌbɛərər) noun. a male attendant bearing the armor or arms of a warrior or knight. Word origin. [1605–15; armor + bearer]This word is first recorded in the period 1605–15.
The armour bearer is an officer selected by kings and generals because of his bravery, not only to bear their armour, but also to stand by them in times of danger. According to Easton (1996:97-98), they were the adjudants of our modern armies (Judg. 9:54; 1 Sam. 14:7; 16:21; 31:6).
The word “armor” symbolizes protection, defense, and readiness for battle, while “bearer” indicates the act of carrying and supporting. In a spiritual context, the term “armor-bearer” signifies the support and assistance given to leaders, equipping them for their spiritual battles. It represents trust, loyalty, and dedication to serving alongside them, ensuring their safety and success. The role of an armor-bearer can be seen as an honorable position, requiring individuals to embrace the character of a servant while embodying the functions and characteristics of an armor bearer as depicted in the Bible.
Armor Bearer In The Bible
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, Assyria and the Hittites, his business being to protect his fighting companion during the engagement.
Characteristics of An Armor Bearer
1. They Serve Their Leaders
It is with this in mind that we can understand the term in its proper context.
The Bible uses the word “armor bearer” to refer to someone who serves as a leader’s personal bodyguard, carrying his armor and weapons during battle. This was a highly important role since it ensured that if their leader fell into danger, they would be able to defend him with their own weapons. An armor bearer must be both physically strong enough to carry heavy loads and mentally disciplined enough to focus on defending his leader instead of fighting for himself or for glory.
2. They Protect Their Leaders
The best armor-bearers protect their leaders.
In the Bible, some of the best armor bearers are those who take their job seriously and protect their leader from physical harm.
3. They Are Willing To Die For Their Leaders
As the Bible teaches, there are many things you should be willing to die for.
- You should be willing to die for your country.
- You should be willing to die for your family.
- You should be willing to die for your faith.
But what about dying for your leader? What if the only thing that would make sense is if we were willing to die for our leaders? What does it mean when a leader says, “Follow me”? Is it possible that God wants us to obey our leaders not just because he tells us so but because their lives are worth more than our own, and therefore their commands deserve our obedience even in situations where disobedience might seem justified?
4. They Are Not Dishonest With Their Leaders
You should treat your leaders with honesty and respect.
A leader is someone who has a great deal of influence, such as the President of the United States or a religious leader like Pope Francis. You should treat these people with honor and respect because they have power over you. The Bible teaches us to not lie to our leaders, because doing so will lead to bad things happening (Proverbs 28:10).
5. They Are Faithful To Their Leaders
An Armor Bearer is a faithful and trustworthy person. They are loyal to their leaders and will never betray them or give up on them when things get rough.
A good armor bearer will be obedient and not complain about anything, even if they’re uncomfortable doing it. This is an important quality of an armor bearer because he or she is supposed to be with their leader at all times, no matter what happens.
An armorer-bearer should also be willing to sacrifice their life for the king they serve if he were ever in danger (1 Samuel 14:18–19).
6. They Support Their Leader’s Vision
You may be thinking, “What makes a good armor bearer? Where do I find one?” The Bible doesn’t give us too much information about their characteristics or qualities, but we can make some generalizations based on the traits we’ve seen so far.
- They are willing to follow their leader wherever he goes.
- They have the ability to interact with other people, not just their leader.
- They share their leader’s vision for the future of their country (or even the world).
7. They Assist Leaders When In Battle
The priest also has a role in battle. He is to carry the ark of God so that it can be a rallying point for the people and serve as an inspiration for their victory. When in battle, a leader should not lead from behind but rather from the front.
The armor bearer is a very important position because they are responsible for carrying the armor and weapons of their leaders into war so that they may fight more efficiently.
8. Get Them Out Of Trouble When Needed
You may need to call on the armor bearer to help you get out of trouble. They are your last line of defense, so it is important that they be able to perform this function at a moment’s notice. If your pursuers catch up with you and threaten your life, for example, ask them for help.
They will not refuse you!
9. Be Loyal To The Leader, No Matter What
A beehive is a perfect example of how a leader must always lead by example. If the leader is lazy and unwilling to work, then the rest of the hive won’t work either. The bees have no choice but to follow a strong leader who will fight for them and push them to do their best even when they don’t feel like doing it.
God wants us to be loyal to Him, even if He asks us to do things that we don’t want or feel comfortable doing at the time. In order for us humans, who were made in His image after all (Genesis 1:27), not only does He expect our loyalty; He demands it! This means that no matter what happens tomorrow, next week, or next year—or even thousands of years from now—we must obey God’s voice without question (Deuteronomy 13:1–5).
10. Serve And Offer Guidance In Spiritual Matters
- Serve And Offer Guidance In Spiritual Matters
A lot of people who read the Bible think it’s all about Jesus and his miracles, but it’s also about the men who helped him in his ministry. For example, Paul was a good friend of Jesus’ and he wrote many books about him. Peter was another good friend who helped lead people to Christ by preaching the gospel. These men were like armor bearers for Jesus because they traveled with him and served him physically and spiritually by offering guidance when he needed it most (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
Armor Bearer in Church
So, we’ve established that the armor bearer is a person who has a very specific role in society. They are somebody who carries the tools of war for their leader.
But what if you’re not a soldier? Shouldn’t it be enough that you have a healthy relationship with God and are actively doing your part to spread His word?
The answer is yes, but there are still ways you can serve as an armor bearer to your leader.
Think about it this way: every single person has at least one leader in their life—whether it be parents, friends or co-workers—and giving them support when they need it can make all the difference between success and failure.
History of 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 Sam 31:4), commander-in-chief (2 Sam 23:37), captain (1 Sam 14:7) or champion (1 Sam 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 Sam 31:4). David became Saul’s armor-bearer for a time, and Jonathan’s armor-bearer was a man of resource and courage (1 Sam 14:7). The shield-bearer was a figure well known in the chariots of Egypt, Assyria and the Hittites, his business being to protect his fighting companion during the engagement.
An armor bearer is a person who looks out for and protects someone else. In biblical times, an armor bearer was responsible for keeping their leader safe in battle by guarding their back and carrying their weapons. Today, the word “armor” has come to represent any type of protection that shields us from harm, such as clothing or physical tools like shields. This metaphor is still relevant today because we all need to wear an invisible shield around us when we go out into public spaces so that others don’t hurt us accidentally. Our society has become more dangerous than it used to be because people are less likely to know each other well enough before making assumptions about them based on what they look like instead of who they really are inside. So let’s make sure we’re always wearing our armor (or at least have someone with us who can do that).