Shobak (also known as Shophach) was the commander of Hadadezer, king of Zobah. He led the Aramean army against Israel but was defeated by King David in a decisive battle. His defeat helped consolidate David's rule over the region.
Événements clés
Aramean Mobilization
After David had defeated the Arameans for the first time, Hadadezer gathered new forces from beyond the Euphrates, and Shobak led them as commander-in-chief.
16Hadadezer sent messengers and brought out the Arameans from beyond the River, and they came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer's army leading them.
16Hadadezer sent messengers and brought out the Arameans from beyond the River, and they came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer's army leading them.
17When David was told of it, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Arameans drew up their lines to meet David and fought against him.
17When David was told of it, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Arameans drew up their lines to meet David and fought against him.
18But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their horsemen. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.
18But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their horsemen. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.
After Sobak's defeat and death, all Hadadezer's vassals made peace with Israel and came under their rule. The Arameans no longer dared to help the Ammonites.
19When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.
The same event is described in 1 Chronicles, where the commander is called Shophach. The account confirms David's decisive victory over the Aramean coalition.
16When the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they sent messengers and brought out the Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer's army at their head.
17When David was told of it, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, advanced against them, and drew up his lines to meet them. David formed his battle line against the Arameans, and they fought against him.
18But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.
19When the vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. And the Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.