Bible Strands
2 Samuel 23:12
But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator recounts Shammah’s actions during a Philistine raid near a lentil field after the Israelite army had fled. This occurs within the historical record of David’s mighty men’s exploits.
The words — וַ/יִּתְיַצֵּ֤ב (va/i.yit.ya.Tzev) translates literally as "and he took his stand," while בְּ/תוֹךְ\־ (be./tokh-) means "in the middle of."
The thread — The pattern of human resistance followed by divine deliverance appears in 2 Samuel 23:10 with Eleazar, Proverbs 21:31, and Psalms 3:8. These passages consistently attribute the final outcome of conflict to the LORD.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that military success depends on divine action rather than human courage alone. It calls for a plain recognition of the LORD as the source of victory when human strength proves insufficient.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 23:10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.
- Proverbs 21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
- Psalms 3:8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; may Your blessing be on Your people. Selah
- Psalms 44:2 With Your hand You drove out the nations and planted our fathers there; You crushed the peoples and cast them out.