1.
A portable shield (2 Sam. 22:31; 1 Chr. 5:18).
2.
A shield surrounding the person; the targe or round form; used once figuratively (Ps. 91:4).
3.
A large shield protecting the whole body (Ps. 35:2; Ezek. 23:24; 26:8).
4.
A lance or spear; improperly rendered “buckler” in the Authorized Version (1 Chr. 12:8), but correctly in the Revised Version “spear.”
The leather of shields required oiling (2 Sam. 1:21; Isa. 21:5), so as to prevent its being injured by moisture. Copper (= “brass”) shields were also in use (1 Sam. 17:6; 1 Kings 14:27). Those spoken of in 1 Kings 10:16, etc.; 14:26, were probably of massive metal.
The shields David had taken from his enemies were suspended in the temple as mementoes (2 Kings 11:10).