Armour-bearer

An armour-bearer was an officer selected by kings and commanders not only to carry weapons but also to stand beside his lord in combat and to dispatch enemies wounded by him. The role required exceptional bravery and absolute loyalty. Notable instances include Abimelech's armour-bearer (Judges 9:54), Jonathan's unnamed armour-bearer whose faith enabled the rout of a Philistine garrison (1 Samuel 14:7), and the young David who served Saul in this capacity (1 Samuel 16:21). Saul's own armour-bearer refused to kill the wounded king at Gilboa; Saul then fell on his own sword (1 Samuel 31:4–6).