Jashobeam


Jashobeam, Jesbaam or Jesbaham, also called Josheb-Basshebeth and possibly Adino the Eznite, was chief of the David's [Mighty Warriors|Three Mighty Warriors], and an officer appointed under King David in charge of the first division of 24,000 men, on duty for the first month of the year, according to the list given in 1 Chronicles 27. Jashobeam was a Benjamite from Hakmon. His father was Zabdiel, a descendant of Korah. He was also a descendant of Pharez of the Tribe of Judah.

Biblical narrative

Jashobeam was renowned in the Kingdom of Israel for having singlehandedly killed several hundred troops with his spear. However, in 2 Samuel 23:8–17, in a passage describing the Three, the Hebrew and most Septuagint manuscripts read, "Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; it was Adino the Eznite who killed eight hundred men in one encounter". It is unclear textually whether "Adino the Eznite" is meant to refer to someone else apart from the Three, whether it is another name for Jashobeam, or whether it is a textual corruption.
During a battle with the Philistines at Ephes Dammim, Jashobeam, along with Eleazar and Shammah, taunted the Philistines. The Israelite army retreated in fear, but the Three defeated the Philistine army themselves in a barley field.
While David was encamped in the Cave of Adullam on a campaign against the Philistines, who were garrisoned in Bethlehem, Jashobeam, as part of the Three, broke the Philistine lines to reach a well near Bethlehem's gate to get David a drink. However, David poured the water out as a drink offering to God, saying, "Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?"