What does the Bible say about armies?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents armies as instruments of earthly power under God’s sovereign rule, yet teaches that victory does not finally rest on numbers, weapons, or human strength. Genesis 14:1-8 and Joshua 11:4 portray vast coalitions and military might, while Joshua 9:2 and 10:5 show kings uniting against God’s people. Israel also assembled forces, as in 1 Samuel 13:5, 1 Kings 20:1, and 1 Chronicles 19:7. Yet Scripture warns against trusting military resources: 2 Chronicles 25:6 reminds us that the Lord has power to help or to cast down. Even skilled warriors, like the ambidextrous men in 1 Chronicles 12:2, serve under God’s providence.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Who of the Israelites were subject to service in Numbers 1:2; Numbers 1:3; Numbers 26:2; 2 Chronicles 25:5
- Who were exempt from service in Numbers 1:47-50; Numbers 2:33; Deuteronomy 20:5-9; Judges 7:3
- Enumeration of Israel’s military forces Numbers 1:2; Numbers 1:3; Numbers 26:2; 1 Samuel 11:8; 2 Samuel 18:1; 2 Samuel 18:2; 2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Kings 20:15; 2 Chronicles 25:5
- Levies for Numbers 31:4; Judges 20:10
- Compulsory service in 1 Samuel 14:52
- See COWARDICE
- How officered
- Commander-in-chief 1 Samuel 14:50; 2 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 17:25; 2 Samuel 19:13; 2 Samuel 20:23
- Generals of corps and divisions Numbers 2:3; Numbers 2:31; 1 Chronicles 27:1-22; 2 Chronicles 17:12-19
- Captains of thousands Numbers 31:14; Numbers 31:48; 1 Samuel 17:18; 1 Chronicles 28:1; 2 Chronicles 25:5
- Captains of hundreds Numbers 31:14; Numbers 31:48; 2 Kings 11:15; 1 Chronicles 28:1; 2 Chronicles 25:5
- Captains of fifties 2 Kings 1:9; Isaiah 3:3
- See CAVALRY
- See CHARIOTS
- Rendezvous of
- Methods employed in effecting Sounding a trumpet Numbers 10:9; Judges 3:27; Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 13:3; 1 Samuel 13:4; 1 Samuel 11:7
- Refusal to obey the summons, instance of Judges 21:5-11
- Tactics
- 1. Camp and march Numbers 2
- 2. March in ranks Exodus 13:18
- Margin note) 1 Chronicles 12:33; Joel 2:7
- Move, in attack, in three divisions Judges 7:16; Judges 9:43; 1 Samuel 11:11; 1 Samuel 13:17; 1 Samuel 13:18; 2 Samuel 18:2; Job 1:17
- Flanks called wings Isaiah 8:8
- See STRATEGY
- Orders delivered with trumpets 2 Samuel 2:28; 2 Samuel 18:16; 2 Samuel 20:1; 2 Samuel 20:22; Nehemiah 4:18; Nehemiah 4:20
- Stratagems Ambushes, at Ai Joshua 8:2-22
- Ambushes at Shechem Judges 9:25; Judges 9:34
- Ambushes at Gibeah Judges 20:29-43
- Ambushes at Zemaraim 2 Chronicles 13:13
- By Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 20:22
- Reconnoissances Of Jericho Joshua 2:1-24
- Of Ai Joshua 7:2; Joshua 7:3
- Of Beth-el Judges 1:23; Judges 1:24
- Of Laish Judges 18:2-10
- Night attacks Genesis 14:15; Judges 7:16-22
- Decoy Joshua 8:4-22; Judges 20:29-43; Nehemiah 6
- Unusual winter campaign 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Chronicles 20:1
- Delay 2 Samuel 17:7-14
- Celerity of action Abraham, in pursuit of Chedorlaomer Genesis 14:14; Genesis 14:15
- Joshua, against the Amorites Joshua 10:6; Joshua 10:9
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Antiquity of Genesis 14:1-8
- Ancient, often numerous Joshua 11:4; 1 Samuel 13:5
- Of different nations often confederated Joshua 9:2; Joshua 10:5; Judges 3:13; 1 Kings 20:1
- Troops often hired for 1 Chronicles 19:7; 2 Chronicles 25:6
- Were composed of
- Bowmen and slingers 1 Chronicles 12:2; Jeremiah 4:29
- Spearmen or heavy troops Psalms 68:30; Acts 23:23
- Cavalry Exodus 14:9; 1 Kings 20:20
- War chariots Joshua 17:16; Judges 4:3
- Often consisted of the whole effective strength of nations Numbers 21:23; 1 Samuel 29:1
- Furnished with standards Song of Solomon 6:4; Isaiah 10:18; Jeremiah 4:21
- Accompanied by beasts of burden and wagons for baggage Judges 7:12; 2 Kings 7:7; Ezekiel 23:2
- Generally in three divisions Genesis 14:15; Job 1:17
- Were led by
- Kings in person 2 Kings 18:13; 2 Kings 25:1
- Experienced captains 2 Kings 18:17; 2 Kings 18:24
- Called the
- Wings of a nation Isaiah 8:8; Jeremiah 48:40
- Power of Kings 2 Chronicles 32:9
- Hosts Joshua 10:5; Judges 8:10
- Bands 2 Kings 24:2; 1 Chronicles 7:4
- Began their campaigns in the spring 2 Samuel 11:1
- Often went on foreign service Jeremiah 5:15; Jeremiah 50:3
- Marched
- Often in open line Habakkuk 1:6; Habakkuk 1:8
- With order and precision Isaiah 5:27; Joel 2:7; Joel 2:8
- With rapidity Jeremiah 48:40; Habakkuk 1:8
- With noise and tumult Isaiah 17:12; Isaiah 17:13; Joel 2:5
- Employed in
- Fighting battles 1 Samuel 17:2; 1 Samuel 17:3; 1 Chronicles 19:17
- Besieging cities Deuteronomy 20:12; Isaiah 29:3
- Assaulting cities Joshua 7:3; Joshua 7:4; Judges 9:45
- Often surprised their enemies Joshua 8:2; 2 Chronicles 13:15; Jeremiah 51:12
- Commenced battles with a shout 1 Samuel 17:20; 2 Chronicles 13:15; Jeremiah 51:14
- Toil and fatigue often endured by Ezekiel 29:18
- Divided the spoil Exodus 15:9; Zechariah 14:1
- Sent out foraging parties 2 Kings 5:2
- Exercised savage cruelties on the vanquished Jeremiah 50:42; Lamentations 5:11-13; Amos 1:13
- Frequently the instrument of God’s vengeance Isaiah 13:5
- In latter ages received pay Luke 3:14; 1 Corinthians 9:7
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
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