Shobach(shophach)
שׁוֹבָךְ/SHOH-bak/
“Expansion”
Summary
The general of Hadarezer king of the Syrians of Zobah, who was defeated and killed in battle against David.
☩Battle Against David
Shobach served as the commanding general of Hadarezer, king of the Syrians of Zobah. After the combined forces of Syria and Ammon were defeated by Joab before Rabbah, Hadarezer summoned reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates under Shobach's command. David crossed the Jordan and attacked them at Helam, resulting in a total defeat of the Syrians. Shobach was wounded in the battle and died on the field. In the parallel account in Chronicles, he is called Shophach.
Key verses:2 Samuel 10:15-181 Chronicles 19:16-18
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shobach," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Shobach," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).