Squire (Heb. nôí’ê*ha-tsinnâh). Only once is the armor bearer properly mentioned (1Sa 17:7, 41), and in another text it refers to the bearer of the combatants’ weapons (Heb. noí’ê* kêlîm; 1Sa 14:13). This assistant used to be very young, he seconded his boss in the fight and finished off the enemies who fell wounded. Gideon, Abimelech, Jonathan, Saul and Joab had armor bearers (Jdg 7:10; 9:54; 1Sa 14:1; 31:4; 2Sa 15:5); that is, it was the outstanding warriors who had squires. Shield. Egyptian figures show that the Syrians and Hittites used flat, elongated, leather-covered shields. The Mitannians, Philistines, and Assyrians are all depicted with round shields, although the Assyrians also used a long, curved one. The Hebrews had 2 kinds: one small and round (Heb. mâgên; 2Sa 22:31; 1Ch 5:18; 2Ch 14:8; Neh 4:16), and one long (Heb. tsinnâh; 1Ch 12:8; 2Ch 9:15, B; 14:8; 25:5; Psa 35:2; Eze 23:24). Shields were commonly made of wood, with leather spread over its surface to which oil was applied (2Sa 1:21; Isa 21:5) to keep it supple; during the marches he was protected by a cover (ls. 22:6, JB). The bronze shields of 1Ki 14:27 were perhaps only partially metallic. Some were overlaid with gold for decorative purposes (10:16, 17). For others, according to Job 15:26, the Hebrew word would designate the metallic pieces (Heb. gab) attached to the shields (such ornaments were often inlays in the form of bronze nails with broad, flat, rounded heads). Assyrian reliefs from Lachish show the city’s Hebrew defenders with small round shields. In the NT the gr word is used. thureos (Eph 6:16; figs 11, 30, 262, 308).
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
The one who carries the weapons. Abimelech (Jdg 9:54), Saul (1Sa 31:4), Jonathan (1Sa 14:12) and Joab (2Sa 23:37) each had one. Compare Goliath (1Sa 17:7, 1Sa 17:41).
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
Military servant of a king or other leader. His commission was to wear armor and weapons, stand by his commander in the face of danger, and obey his orders. The word “squire” translates the Hebrew no·sé´ ke·lim, which literally means “bearer of armor or weapons; armiger† . (1Sa 14:6; compare 1Sa 14:1.) When a prominent warrior wounded an enemy, it was sometimes his armor bearer who delivered the killing blow. (1Sa 14:13) These servants were selected from among the bravest soldiers, and they were often very loyal to their commanders. (1Sa 14:6, 7; 31:5)
When Abimelech was mortally wounded, he had his armor bearer put him to death, lest it be said: “It was a woman who killed him.” (Jg 9:52-54) David served as Saul’s armor bearer for a time. (1Sa 16:21) The armor bearer who refused to deliver the killing blow to Saul as he lay dying committed suicide after the king took his own life. (1Sa 31:3-6) Jonathan and Joab also had armor bearers in their service (1Sa 14:6-14; 2Sa 18:15; 23:37; 1Ch 11:39), as did other important warriors of ancient nations Like the Philistine giant Goliath. (1Sa 17:7, 41)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible