48 Bible Verses about Soldiers

are to divide the booty between the warriors who went to war and the rest of the community. "After this, you are to exact a tribute for the LORD from the soldiers who went to war, consisting of the tribute earned by one person out of every 500, whether from people, cattle, donkeys, or flocks.

Joshua spent that night in the camp among the army. In the morning, Joshua got up early, mustered his army, and set off for Ai, accompanied by the elders of Israel in full view of the army. The entire fighting force with him attacked, approaching the city, and camped on the north side of Ai, with a ravine between them and Ai. Taking about 5,000 men, he set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai to the west of the city, read more.
stationing their forces with its main encampment north of the city and its rear guard to the west. Joshua spent that night in the valley. When the king of Ai saw what had happened, he and his army quickly got up early and went out to meet Israel in battle. He and all his people met at the place adjacent to the desert plain. But he didn't know about the ambush that had been set for him on the other side of the city. Because Joshua and the entire fighting force of Israel pretended to lose the battle by running away in front of them toward the wilderness, everyone in the city followed after them. As they pursued Joshua, they were drawn away from the town. There wasn't a single man left in Ai or Bethel who didn't run out after Israel. They left the city open and pursued Israel. Then the LORD told Joshua, "Stretch out the battle lance that's in your hand toward Ai, because I will give it into your control." So Joshua stretched out the battle lance that was in his hand toward the city. As soon as he stretched out his hand, the troops in ambush quickly got up from their place of hiding and attacked. They entered the city, seized it, and immediately set it on fire.

So Abimelech and his entire army got up that night and waited in ambush against Shechem in four separate companies. Ebed's son Gaal went out and stood in the entrance to the city gate while Abimelech and his army were creeping out of their ambush.

But the descendants of Benjamin wouldn't obey the request of their own relatives, the Israelis, so the descendants of Benjamin assembled from the cities of Gibeah to fight the Israelis in battle. The day of the battle, the army from the descendants of Benjamin numbered 26,000 expert swordsmen from their cities, not including the inhabitants of Gibeah, who numbered 700 special forces soldiers. Out of all these soldiers, 700 of them were left-handed and each one could sling a stone at a hair and never miss.

The Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and people as numerous as the sand on the seashore. And they advanced and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

On the day of battle, none of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan were armed with swords or spears, but Saul and his son Jonathan did have them.

Saul summoned the people and mustered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah.

David and Abishai went to the army at night, and Saul was lying there asleep in the encampment. His spear was stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army were lying all around him.

David captured 1,000 of his chariots, 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses except for enough to supply 100 chariots.

When the Ammonites realized that they had created quite a stink with David, they hired 20,000 Aramean mercenaries from Beth-rehob and Zobah, along with the king of Maacah and 1,000 men, and 12,000 men from Tob.

For the Aramean king had left only 50 cavalry, ten chariots, and 10,000 soldiers out of the army belonging to Jehoahaz, because the king of Aram had destroyed the others, making them like chaff left over after threshing.

When Joab returned with his entire army, Joab was informed, "Ner's son Abner visited the king, and he has dismissed him. He has left in peace."

Here's a list of the names of David's special forces: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahkemonite was head of the Three; he was nicknamed Adino the Eznite because he killed 800 men in a single battle engagement. Next was Dodai the Ahohite's son Eleazar. Eleazar, who also was one of the Three, was with David when they challenged the Philistines. When the Philistines had assembled in battle array, the Israeli army retreated, but Eleazar remained standing right where he was and fought so hard against the Philistines that he became exhausted he couldn't even let go of his sword! The LORD magnificently delivered them that day. After Eleazar had won the battle, the other soldiers returned, but only to strip the weapons and armor from the dead.read more.
Next was Shammah, Agee the Hararite's son. One time the Philistines assembled to fight in a field where lentils had been growing. Israel's army retreated from the Philistines, but Shammah stood his ground in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory. One day while the Philistine army was camping in the valley of giants, three of the 30 leaders joined David at the cave of Adullam. David was living in that stronghold at the time, while a Philistine garrison was then at Bethlehem. David expressed his longing, "Oh, how I wish someone would get me a drink of water from the Bethlehem well that's by the city gate!" So the Three elite warriors broke through the Philistine ranks, drew some water from the Bethlehem well that was next to the city gate, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out in the LORD's presence, and said, "The LORD forbid that I drink this this is the blood of men who endangered their own lives!" The Three elite warriors did these things. Zeruiah's son Abishai, Joab's brother, was the lieutenant in charge of the platoons. He used his spear to fight and kill 300 men, gaining a reputation distinct from the Three. He was more well-known than the Three, and became their commander, but he never measured up to the Three. Jehoiada's son Benaiah, who was a valiant man, accomplished great things. He was from Kabzeel. He killed two men named Ariel from Moab and then he also went down into a pit and struck down a lion during a snow storm one day. He also killed a soldier from Egypt. Of handsome appearance, the Egyptian carried a spear, but Benaiah attacked him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. Benaiah did things like this and gained a reputation comparable to the Three warriors. He was well known among the platoons, but he didn't measure up to the Three. David placed him in charge of his security detail. Among the Thirty were Joab's brother Asahel, Dodo's son Elhanan of Bethlehem, Shammah from Harod; Elika from Harod, Helez the Paltite, Ikkesh's son Ira from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai of Netophah, Baanah's son Heleb from Netophah, Ribai's son Ittai from Gibeah of the descendants of Benjamin, Benaiah from Pirathon, Hiddai from the Gaash creeks area, Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth from Bahurim, Eliahba from Shaalbon, Jashen's sons, Shammah's son from Harar, Sharar the Hararite's son Ahiam, Ahasbai the Maacathite's son Eliphelet, Ahithophel the Gilonite's son Eliam, Hezro from Carmel, Paarai the Arbite, Nathan's son Igal from Zobah, Bani the Gadite, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai from Beeroth (the armor-bearer for Zeruiah's son Joab), Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, and Uriah the Hittite for a total of 37.

These are the leaders of the elite warriors who were strong supporters of David in his kingdom, along with all of Israel, in keeping with the message from the LORD concerning Israel. This record of the warriors who were for David included Hachmoni's son Jashobeam, leader of the platoons, who killed 300 with his spear in a single encounter. Next to him among the Three Warriors was Dodo the Ahohite's son Eleazar. read more.
He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines were there to engage them in battle. There was a field planted with barley, and the army had run away from the Philistines, but they took a defensive stand in the middle of the field and killed the Philistines while the LORD saved them by means of a great victory. Later, the Three Warriors went down to David's hideout at the cave of Adullam when the Philistine army was camping in the valley of giants. David was living in that stronghold at the time, while a Philistine garrison was then at Bethlehem. David expressed a longing, "Oh, how I wish someone would get me a drink of water from the Bethlehem well that's by the city gate!" So the Three Warriors broke through the Philistine ranks, drew some water from the Bethlehem well that was next to the city gate, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it, poured it out in the LORD's presence, and said in response, "May God forbid me to do this! I won't drink the blood of these men, will I? After all, they risked their lives to bring it to me." That's why he wouldn't drink it. The Three Warriors did these things. Joab's brother Abishai was the lieutenant in charge of the platoons. He used his spear to fight and kill 300 men, gaining a reputation distinct from the Three. He was more well-known than the Three, but he never attained the stature of the Three. Jehoiada's son Benaiah, who was a valiant man, accomplished great things. He was from Kabzeel. He killed two men named Ariel from Moab and then he also went down into a pit and struck down a lion during a snow storm one day. He also killed a soldier from Egypt of enormous height five cubits tall. The Egyptian carried a spear comparable in size to a weaver's beam, but Benaiah attacked him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. Benaiah did things like this and gained a reputation comparable to the Three Warriors. He was well known among the platoons, but he didn't measure up to the Three Warriors. David placed him in charge of his security detail. The elite forces included Asahel (Joab's brother), Dodo's son Elhanan from Bethlehem, Shammoth from Haror, Helez the Pelonite, Ikkesh's son Ira from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai from Netophah, Baanah's son Heled from Netophah, Ribai's son Ithai from Gibeah, controlled by the descendants of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon, Hurai from the wadis of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth from Baharum, Eliahba from Shaalbon, Hashem the Gizonite, Shagee the Hararite's son Jonathan, Sachar the Hararite's son Ahiam, Ur's son Eliphal, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro from Carmel, Ezbai's son Naarai, Joel (Nathan's brother), Hagri's son Mibhar, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai from Beeroth, who was the armor-bearer for Zeruiah's son Joab, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Ahlai's son Zabad, Shiza the Reubenite's son Adina, a leader of the descendants of Reuben, along with thirty others with him, Maacah's son Hanan, Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Hotham the Aroerite's sons Shama and Jeiel, Shimri's son Jediael and his brother Joha the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Elnaam's sons Jeribai and Joshaviah, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Later, God's anger blazed forth against Israel, so he incited David to move against them by telling him, "Go take a census of Israel and Judah." So the king ordered Joab, commander of the special forces, who was with him, "Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba and take a census of the people so I can be made aware of the total number." But Joab replied, "May the LORD your God increase the population of the people a hundredfold while your majesty the king is still alive to see it happen! But why does your majesty the king want to do this?"read more.
But the king's order overruled Joab and the commanders of the special forces, so Joab and the commanders of the special forces left David's presence to take a census of the people of Israel. They crossed the Jordan River, encamped at Aroer south of the town that is located in the river valley, proceeding through Gad and then on toward Jazer. They went on to Gilead and the territory of Tahtim-hodshi, then on toward Dan. From Dan they went around to Sidon and arrived at the fortified city of Tyre and all of the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Eventually they proceeded to Beer-sheba in the Judean Negev. After they had traveled throughout the entire land, they returned to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and 20 days. Joab reported the total number of men to the king. In Israel there were 800,000 men trained for war. In Judah there were 500,000.

Then Satan attacked Israel by inciting David to enumerate a census of Israel. David ordered Joab and the commanders of the army, "Go take a census of Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan, and bring me a report so I can be aware of the total number." But Joab replied, "May the LORD increase the population of his people a hundredfold! Your majesty, all of them are your majesty's servants, aren't they? So why should your majesty demand this? Why should he bring guilt to Israel?"read more.
But the king's order overruled Joab, so Joab left, traveled throughout all of Israel, and then returned to Jerusalem to report the total population count to David. Throughout all of Israel there were 1,100,000 men trained for war. In Judah there were 470,000 men trained for war. Levi and Benjamin were not included in the census, because what the king had commanded was unethical to Joab. God considered this behavior to be evil, so he attacked Israel. David responded to God, "I sinned greatly by behaving this way. But now I am asking you, please remove the guilt of your servant, since I have acted very foolishly." So the LORD responded through Gad, David's seer. "Go and tell David, "This is what the LORD says: "I'm holding three choices out for you: pick one of them for yourself, and I will do it to you."'" Gad went to David and told him, "This is what the LORD says: "Make a choice for yourself: Either three years of famine, or three months of reversals as you are swept away by your enemies while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or three days with the sword of the LORD, consisting of pestilence infecting the land, with the angel of the LORD wreaking destruction from border to border throughout all of Israel.' Decide right now what I am to answer to the one who sent me." So David replied to Gad, "This is a very bad choice for me to make! Let me now please fall into the hand of the LORD, because his mercy is very great, but may I never fall into human hands!" Then the LORD sent a pestilence to Israel, and 70,000 men died in Israel. God also sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but as he was about to do so, the LORD looked and withdrew the calamity by saying to the destroying angel, "Enough! Stop what you're doing!" So the angel of the ORD remained standing near the threshing floor that belonged to Ornan the Jebusite. David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.

What follows is a listing of the divisions of battle-ready troops who joined David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, in accordance with what the LORD had spoken. The army of Judah, equipped with both shields and spears, numbered 6,800 warriors, the elite warriors of Simeon numbered 7,100, read more.
and the descendants of Levi numbered 4,600. Jehoiada, a senior officer in the house of Aaron, brought with him 3,700. Zadok, a young and valiant soldier, brought 22 commanders from his own ancestral house. The tribe of Benjamin, relatives of Saul numbered 3,000, of whom most had remained allied to what remained of Saul's dynasty. The tribe of Ephraim supplied 20,800 valiant soldiers who were well known in their ancestral households. The half-tribe of Manasseh supplied 18,000, who had been appointed specifically to come and establish David as king. The tribe of Issachar supplied 200 leaders, along with all of their relatives under their command. They kept up-to-date in their understanding of the times and knew what Israel should do. The tribe of Zebulun supplied 50,000 experienced troops, trained in the use of every kind of war weapon, in order to help David with undivided loyalty. The tribe of Naphtali supplied 1,000 commanders, accompanied by 37,000 troops armed with shields and spears. The tribe of Dan supplied 28,600 battle-ready troops. The tribe of Asher supplied 40,000 experienced, battle-ready troops. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan supplied 120,000 men armed with every kind of war weapon. All these warriors arrived in battle order at Hebron, fully intending to establish David as king over all Israel. Furthermore, all of the rest of Israel were united in their intent to make David king.

The Israelis, according to the number of the leaders of their families, the officers of groups of thousands and groups of hundreds, and their leaders who served the king on behalf of the army divisions of 24,000 soldiers on duty month by month throughout the year, consisted of the following. Zabdiel's son Jashobeam was responsible for the first division of 24,000 soldiers for the first month. A descendant of Perez, he was chief of all the commanders of the army for the first month.read more.
Dodai the Ahohite was responsible for the division of the second month. Mikloth served as chief officer of his division, consisting of 24,000 soldiers. Jehoiada's son Benaiah the priest was commander of the third division for the third month, consisting of 24,000 soldiers. This was the same Benaiah who was one of the elite men of the Thirty and in command of the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was responsible for his division. Joab's brother Asahel was fourth for the fourth month, assisted by his son Zebadiah, with 24,000 soldiers in his division. The fifth commander for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. His division consisted of 24,000 soldiers. Ikkesh's son Ira from Tekoa was sixth for the sixth month; there were 24,000 soldiers in his division. Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite, was seventh for the seventh month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite, was eighth for the eighth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Abiezer from Anathoth, a descendant of Benjamin, was ninth for the ninth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Mahari from Netophah, a Zerahite, was tenth for the tenth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Benaiah from Pirathon, an Ephraimite, was eleventh for the eleventh month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Heldai the Netophathite, from Othniel, was twelfth for the twelfth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Wielding the scepters of Israel for the descendants of Reuben, there was Zichri's son Eliezer as chief officer; for the descendants of Simeon there was Maacah's son Shephatiah; for Levi there was Kemuel's son Hashabiah; for Aaron there was Zadok; for Judah there was Elihu, one of David's brothers; for Issachar there was Michael's son Omri; for Zebulun there was Obadiah's son Ishmaiah; for Naphtali, there was Azriel's son Jerimoth; for the descendants of Ephraim, there was Azaziah's son Hoshea; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, there was Pedaiah's son Joel; for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, there was Zechariah's son Iddo; for Benjamin, there was Abner's son Jaasiel; for Dan, there was Jeroham's son Azarel. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

but the Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook him in the Jericho plains, where his entire army was scattered.

Ishmael also struck down all the Judeans who were with him (that is, with Gedaliah) at Mizpah, along with the Chaldean soldiers who were found there.

Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in the opinion of his master. He was highly favored, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. Though he was a mighty and valiant man, he was suffering from leprosy.

Then one of the people responded: "Your father strictly ordered the army to take an oath. That's why he said, "Cursed is the person who eats food today,' and so the army is exhausted."

There was also Eliada from Benjamin, himself a valiant soldier. He was accompanied by 200,000 expert archers bearing shields.

Then he issued orders to his elite guard to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with ropes and throw them into the blazing fire furnace. So the elite guard tied them up fully clothed, still wearing their robes, tunics, and turbans, and threw them into the blazing fire furnace, because the king's command was so drastic. Since the furnace was blazing hot, its flames killed those who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the blazing fire.

Even some soldiers were asking him, "And what should we do?" He told them, "Never extort money from anyone by threats or blackmail, and be satisfied with your pay."

Even Herod and his soldiers treated him with contempt and made fun of him. He put a magnificent robe on Jesus and sent him back to Pilate.

So Judas took a detachment of soldiers and some officers from the high priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

The soldiers twisted some thorns into a victor's crown, put it on his head, and threw a purple robe on him.

Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the imperial headquarters and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.

The high priests responded, "We have no king but Caesar!" Then Pilate handed him over to be crucified, and they took Jesus away.

Pilate told them, "You have a military guard. Go and make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and secured the tomb by putting a seal on the stone in the presence of the guards.

Suddenly, there was a powerful earthquake, because an angel of the Lord had come down from heaven, approached the stone, rolled it away, and was sitting on top of it. His appearance was bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. Trembling from fear, even the guards themselves became catatonic.

When he arrested Peter, Herod put him in prison and turned him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, planning to bring him out to the people after Passover season.

Immediately the tribune took some soldiers and officers and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

Your wealth, your products, your merchandise your sailors, your pilots, your tailors, your salesmen, all your mercenaries with you your entire company with you will fall into the midst of the sea on the day when you're overthrown!

You'll be fully satiated at my table, dining on horse flesh, horsemen, elite soldiers, and every kind of warrior," declares the Lord GOD.

They run like elite soldiers, climbing ramparts like men trained for war. Each man advances in proper order, never breaking rank.

The skilled archer will not be able to stand, the swift runner will not survive, and the mounted rider will not preserve his own life. Even the bravest of elite troops will run away naked at that time," declares the LORD.

Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its grapes? Or who takes care of a flock and does not drink any of its milk?

Meanwhile, I thought it best to send Epaphroditus my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and minister to my need back to you.

Join me in suffering like a good soldier of the Messiah Jesus. No one serving in the military gets mixed up in civilian matters, for his aim is to please his commanding officer.

LORD God of the Heavenly Armies, who is as mighty as you, LORD? Your faithfulness surrounds you.

"I've been very zealous for the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies," he replied. "The Israelis have abandoned your covenant, demolished your altars, executed your prophets with swords, and I that's right, just me! am the only one left. Now they're seeking my life, to get rid of me!"

Therefore, this is what the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies says: "Because you people have said this, my words in your mouth will become a fire and these people the wood. The fire will destroy them.

the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies the LORD is his name.

Look! The one who crafts mountains, who creates the wind, who reveals what he is thinking to mankind, who darkens the morning light, who tramples down the high places of the land the LORD, the God of the Heavenly Armies is his name.