Overview
The Bible addresses spear across 41 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and 2 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Sword, the, Philistines, Self-Control and Shields. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Saul, Abishai and Abner.
Key Bible verses about spear
Old Testament
1 Samuel
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. delivered: Heb. shut up
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?
David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
2 Samuel
Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. with: Heb. before thee midst: Heb. heart
And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. the giant: or, Rapha spear: Heb. the staff, or, the head
These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. The Tachmonite: or, Joshebbassebet the Tachmonite, head of the three. whom he: Heb. slain. he lift: See.Ch.11.11. whom he: Heb. slain
And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three. and slew them: Heb. slain
2 Chronicles
And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. darts: or, swords, or, weapons
Nehemiah
Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. in the: Heb. from the lower parts of the place, etc
And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
Job
Psalms
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war. the company: or, the beasts of the reeds scatter: or, he scattereth
Jeremiah
Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
New Testament
John
People in the Bible and spear
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying spear for yourself
- Begin with Numbers 25:7, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and 2 Chronicles each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of David, Saul and Abishai and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Sword, the, Philistines, Self-Control and Shields.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about spear?
The Bible addresses spear across 41 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and 2 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Sword, the, Philistines, Self-Control and Shields. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Saul, Abishai and Abner.
How many Bible verses are about spear?
The Bible references spear in 41 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention spear?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Numbers 25:7: “And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;”
Which people in the Bible are associated with spear?
David, Saul, Abishai, Abner and Joab.
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