I have heard people talk about armour-bearers when they make mention of it, it is generally someone who is involved in interceding for another brother or sister. However, I wanted to go back to the scriptures and see what it has to say about the topic. The biggest example is Jonathan and his armour-bearer.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An officer selected by kings and generals because of his bravery, not only to bear their armour, but also to stand by them in the time of danger. They were the adjutants of our modern armies
The passage:
1 Samuel 14:1-14(KJV)
1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
6
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.7
And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
12
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.13
And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.14
And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.some points from the definition:
- selected by the leader
- is brave
- stands by the leader thru thick or thin
some points from the scripture:
- the amour-bearer is in agreement with Jonathan.
- He is behind him no matter what (v7)
- is willing to go with Jonathan
- behind Jonathan finishing the job (v13)
- fights together.
so from this what do I conclude?
If you are lifting someone up in prayer and you are their armour-bearer that person should know and you should be in agreement.
I know that sometimes we feel God call us to pray for someone and we don't necessarily tell that person cause it was just something that the spirit led us to do and then later on we hear how the person was saved from some form of danger or another. I don't think this is really armour-bearing, this is just obedience to the spirit of God interceding for a bro or sis whom God put on your heart at that time. I think armour-bearing involves a commitment to intercede for a person, to be involved with their problems and to walk with them in the spirit. However, that also means you have to know the person and they have to know you and they have to be willing to share with you also.
Comments (5)
Oops, you chose the wrong scripture sister.
It's supposed to be 1 SAMUEL 14:1-12
take care
austin UK
@austin316 - you are correct! :) I swapped the numbers... gonna change that now. Thank you :)
I recently read a wonderful book on the subject of an armour bearer. It is called
'The Prophecy of Kinnaird' by Cassandra Bellingham and is a fiction novel that covers this subject in a really simple way. I came away with my heart crying out to serve the Lord and his people.
My understanding of this in a modern world is that for every man or women of God that is called there is a man or women called to stand alondside them and keep them from harm.
Blessings to you all,
Eleanor
In my church the pastor and his wife each have three to four armor bearers, who carry their bags, bibles, give them money to pay their bills and support their grandchildren, get their clothing cleaned at their expenses, purchase food for them, books, etc. The pastor and his wife children are adults, some married and have children and single with children. They proclaimed to the church that the bible requires the church to take care of the pastor and all of his family financially.
In my opinion, is wrong and taking advantage of the congregation and armor bearers with low incomes and family is inadequately provided for.
What is your thought about this situation?
@burdie - I'm not sure that is a definition of an armour bearer. Also, from the scripture seems to be one who does the job willingly... If these people want to support the pastor that way then GREAT and they should continue doing it.
It's another matter if they are being forced ...