footman Summary and Overview

a word employed in the English Bible in two senses: 1. Generally, to distinguish those of the fighting men who went on foot from those who were on horseback or in chariots; 2. In a more special sense, in #1Sa 22:17| only, and as the translation of a different term from the above --a body of swift runners in attendance on the king. This body appears to have been afterwards kept up, and to have been distinct from the body-guard --the six hundred and thirty-- who were originated by David. See #1Ki 14:27,28; 2Ki 11:4,6,11,13,19; 2Ch 12:10,11| In each of these cases the word is the same as the above, and is rendered "guard," with "runners" in the margin in two instances - #1Ki 14:27; 2Ki 11:13|

FOOT'MAN . The term sometimes means soldiers on foot or infantry. At other times it has special reference to the king's guard. 1 Sam 22:17. The word there translated "footman " is rendered "guard" in other passages. 1 Kgs 14:28; 2 Kgs 11:4, etc.

(1) Distinguished from the soldier on horseback or in a chariot. (2) The swift runners who attended the king; foretold by Samuel 1 Samuel 8:11 (1 Kings 14:27 margin). Swift running was much valued in a warrior (Psalm 19:5; Joel 2:7; Job 16:14). A characteristic of David, for which he praises God (1 Samuel 17:22; 1 Samuel 17:48; 1 Samuel 17:51; 1 Samuel 20:6; 2 Samuel 22:30; Psalm 18:29; compare 1 Chronicles 12:8 to end).