Shammoth is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Shammoth was one of David’s mighty warriors, numbered among the elite fighting men who served as the king’s guard. He is mentioned only once in the King James Bible, in the roster of David’s heroes recorded in 1 Chronicles 11:27, where he is called “Shammoth the Harorite.” His name appears in a long list of skilled soldiers who rallied to David and helped establish him as king over Israel. These were men of exceptional courage and loyalty, described in the surrounding verses as mighty men of valor who stood with David through hardship and conflict.
The setting of Shammoth’s appearance is the account of David’s rise and the consolidation of his kingdom. First Chronicles 11 recounts how David became king over all Israel at Hebron and then captured Jerusalem, the stronghold of Zion, making it his capital. Immediately following that account, the chronicler lists the names of the warriors who supported him. Shammoth is one of these named men, distinguished by the title “the Harorite,” which likely identifies his place of origin or clan. Beyond this single mention, Scripture tells us nothing further about his deeds, battles, or later life.
What Scripture says of Shammoth is therefore brief but honorable: he was counted among David’s mighty men. He did not receive an extended narrative like some of his companions, yet he was included in the official record of those who served faithfully. His inclusion in this list shows that he was known and remembered as one of the loyal warriors who stood with David during the formative years of his reign.
The Name
The name Shammoth appears in Hebrew as שַׁמּוֹת (Shammoth), and it is closely related to other Hebrew names such as Shammah and Shammua. The most commonly suggested root connects it to a verb meaning “to hear” or “to be desolate,” though scholars do not agree on a single settled meaning. Some propose a sense like “desolations” or “hearing,” but the exact meaning of this particular form is not clearly recoverable. Because the name’s meaning is uncertain, it is best to state plainly that no firmly established meaning can be given.
A Closing Thought
Most of us will never be listed among the famous or the mighty, and neither was Shammoth given a long story in Scripture. Yet his name was recorded among those who stood faithfully with David. That is a quiet encouragement: God remembers the loyal and the steadfast, even when the world takes little notice. Faithfulness in an unnamed role is still faithfulness, and it is seen by the One who keeps every name. We need not seek a grander place than the one where God has set us to serve.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 1 Chronicles 11:27 — Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,