A Champion of Champions the Armor-Bearer
One position mentioned in the Bible that has always intrigued me is that of the Armor-Bearer. This position was significant enough to be mentioned, but insignificant enough that the names of the Armor-Bearer are rarely given in scripture.
To me this position defines perfectly that of an invaluable assistant coach, the ultimate servant. Let me share the definition of invaluable: extremely important and of great value; of such great worth that their value cannot be easily measured or priced; essentially priceless.
Armor-Bearers are mentioned some eighteen times in the OT, but only twice are their names mentioned. 1 Samuel 16:21, “And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer.” The other being Naharai, who was one of David’s thirty mighty men and served as Joab’s Armor-Bearer.
He is described as one who carried the large shield and perhaps other weapons for a king (1 Samuel 31:4), commander-in-chief (2 Samuel 23:37), captain (1 Samuel 14:7) or champion (1 Samuel 17:7). All warriors of distinction had such an attendant.
An Armor-Bearer was sometimes tasked with slaying wounded enemies. After the time of David, armor-bearers are no longer mentioned, likely due to the fact that commanders began to fight from chariots (1 Kings 12:18; 20:33)
Armor-Bearers are essentially personal bodyguards willing to lay down their lives for someone of value, a shield and an ultimate helper.
Is there a better example of Jesus Christ than an Armor-Bearer?
1 Samuel 14:1-14 tells a powerful story about Jonathan, son of King Saul, and his armor-bearer who together win an unlikely victory. Yet, despite his obvious importance in this victory, the Armor-Bearer’s name is not mentioned.
Can you win any victories of significant value without our ultimate and the ultimate Armor-Bearer Jesus Christ?
After a successful stretch as a head coach in the high school ranks, I became an Armor-Bearer for 10 years. It is for that reason why I have the utmost respect and value for Armor-Bearers. You will not find a champion head coach without a Champion Armor-Bearer close by.
I have never been asked what my record was as an assistant coach. You are not asked to include your victories as an Armor-Bearer when you share your overall coaching record. Yet this often nameless servant position is invaluable in every way.
Congrats to all the priceless Assistant Coaches out there this season who sacrificed so much for so little salary, credit, and love from the world. Some say you have to pay your dues. Well for ten years I paid plenty and God has paid me back tenfold. These valiant warriors are given very little credit for victories, yet are often fired as escape goats.
To all Armor-Bearers, especially my assistant coaches Gene Hartman, Thomas Poling, and Makiah Wade along with all of my other Armor-Bearers over my 22 years as a head high school and college coach.,
You are Priceless, Invaluable and Champions of Champions! Thank You!
My Armor-Bearer Hall of Fame
Daniel Dilman -Vinita High School
Scott Reed – Vinita High School
Tom Combs – Vinita High School
Jimmy Sooter – Vinita High School
Jesse James – Vinita High School
Kyle Tucker – SAGU
Caleb Gentry – SAGU
Tony Lehew – SAGU
Garrett Jones – OKWU / SAGU
David Leatherberry – SAGU
Jamie Peterson – OKWU
Mark Molder – OKWU
Donnie Scott – OKWU
Blake Zinck – OKWU
Kendrick Babineaux – OKWU
Ian Spaight – OKWU
Kam Dunn – OKWU
Tony “Chap” Siebels – OKWU
Jay Mathieson – Recruiting Expert
Bobby Wade – OKWU
Kyle Comiskey – OKWU
Val Van Putten – OKWU
Makiah Wade – OKWU
Thomas Poling – OKWU
Gene Hartman – OKWU