Agee is a very minor, yet foundational, figure in the biblical narrative, known solely as the father of Shammah the Hararite, one of David’s mighty men. His primary significance in Scripture is establishing the lineage of a great hero whose courage won a memorable victory for Israel.
The Hararite Lineage
Agee’s name appears just once in the King James Version of the Bible, in the catalogue of David’s most elite warriors:
“And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.” (2 Samuel 23:11, KJV)
The designation “the Hararite” (or Harari) suggests that Agee and his family hailed from the mountain or hill country, likely in Judah, giving a geographical context to his son’s origin.
The Legacy of Agee’s Son, Shammah
While Agee himself does not perform any recorded actions, his son, Shammah, gained lasting fame through an extraordinary act of valor that secured his place as one of the “three mighty men” alongside Josheb-basshebeth and Eleazar.
The incident that immortalized Agee’s son is recorded immediately after Agee’s mention:
“But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.” (2 Samuel 23:12, KJV)
When the main body of Israel’s troops fled before a band of Philistines who were attacking a field of lentils (lentiles), Shammah—the son of Agee—stood his ground alone. He successfully defended the seemingly insignificant crop, and the text explicitly states that the victory was wrought by the Lord through his faithfulness and courage.
The Return Question
Agee’s role as the patriarch of a hero teaches a powerful lesson in lineage and influence. We may not have a prominent role or perform spectacular deeds, but our greatest contribution often lies in the faith and character we instill in the next generation. The strength that allowed Shammah, the son of Agee, to stand firm when all others fled was likely rooted in the heritage of fidelity passed down through his family. For those focused on the Lord’s Return, this is a call to nurture steadfast faith in our children and spiritual descendants, knowing that their future acts of bravery and obedience are a continuation of our own dedicated walk with God.
Prophetic Hotspot: Faithfulness in the Small Thing
The record of Shammah defending a “piece of ground full of lentiles” (a seemingly minor plot of land and a humble crop) is a powerful prophetic illustration. The Lord often tests the faithfulness of His servants in small, seemingly insignificant duties. Just as Shammah was loyal over a small field and was then counted among the greatest, those who prove faithful in the small matters of their life now will be entrusted with greater responsibilities when Christ returns. This simple act underscores the biblical principle:
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10, KJV)