Shobi

Biblical Record

Shobi appears only once, in 2 Samuel 17:27. Scripture introduces him as "Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon." The episode takes place when David reached Mahanaim, east of the Jordan River, while fleeing the rebellion of his son Absalom. Shobi, together with Machir of Lodebar and Barzillai the Gileadite, met David and his company. According to 2 Samuel 17:28–29, they brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, along with provisions such as wheat, barley, parched grain, beans, lentils, honey, sheep, and cheese, "for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness" (2 Samuel 17:29). Scripture records nothing of his later life.

Significance Within the Bible

In this scene David has left his palace and is a fugitive. Shobi is portrayed as an Ammonite, a man from outside Israel, who helped David in that situation. Machir, who appears alongside him, is the man who had earlier kept Mephibosheth in his house (2 Samuel 9:4). The New Testament does not mention Shobi.

Interpretation and Debate

Second Samuel 10 records that Nahash, "the king of the children of Ammon," died and that his son Hanun reigned in his stead. Hanun humiliated the envoys David sent to console him, provoking war. Many commentators identify Shobi's father Nahash with this king and regard Shobi as Hanun's brother. Some go further, conjecturing that after David captured Rabbah (2 Samuel 12:26–31) he installed Shobi as ruler over Ammon, and that this is why Shobi showed David favor. The text, however, states neither that Shobi was Hanun's brother nor that he held the position of ruler. Such explanations should be distinguished as interpretive inferences.

In the Korean Church

Shobi is rarely treated as a sermon topic in his own right. He is typically mentioned only in sermons on Absalom's rebellion, as one of those who, along with Barzillai and Machir, helped David in his time of distress.