Thematic Bible: Armies
Thematic Bible
Armies » March in ranks » Religious ceremonies attending » Seeking counsel from God before battle
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest which shall ask counsel for him, after the manner of the light, before the LORD: And at the mouth of Eleazar shall both he and all the children of Israel with him, and all the congregation, go in and out."
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, "Who shall go up first unto the Cananites to fight against them?"
And while Saul talked unto the priest, the people that were in the host of the Philistines ran more and more. And Saul said unto the priest, "Withdraw thine hand."
And Saul asked of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hands?" But he answered him not at that time. Then said Saul, "Let the people come hither out of all quarters, and know and see, in whom this sin is chanced this day: for as truly as the LORD liveth, which hath saved Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall die for it." But no man answered him of all the people. read more.
Then he said unto all Israel, "Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on another." And the people said unto Saul, "What thou thinkest best, that do." And Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, "Give perfect knowledge." And Saul and Jonathan were caught, and the people escaped free.
Then he said unto all Israel, "Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on another." And the people said unto Saul, "What thou thinkest best, that do." And Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, "Give perfect knowledge." And Saul and Jonathan were caught, and the people escaped free.
Then David asked the LORD's advice, saying, "Shall I go and smite the Philistines?" And the LORD said unto David, "Go, and smite the Philistines and save Keilah." Then said David's men unto him, "See, we be afraid here in Judah. What shall we then be, when we come to Keilah, to the host of the Philistines?" Then David asked the LORD again. And the LORD answered him and said, "Up, and go to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hands." read more.
And so David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, and drave away their cattle and slew a great slaughter of them. And so David saved the inhabiters of Keilah. And it chanced when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah that he brought an ephod in his hand. And it was told Saul, that David was come to Keilah. Then said Saul, "God hath delivered him into mine hand. For he is shut in, that he is come into a town with gates and bars." And Saul called all the people to war, for to go to Keilah to besiege David and his men. But David had knowledge that Saul imagined mischief against him, and said therefore to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod." Then said David, "O LORD God of Israel, thy servant heareth that Saul is about to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Or will Saul come as thy servant heareth say? LORD God of Israel, tell thy servant." And the LORD said, "He will come." Then said David, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will deliver you."
And so David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, and drave away their cattle and slew a great slaughter of them. And so David saved the inhabiters of Keilah. And it chanced when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah that he brought an ephod in his hand. And it was told Saul, that David was come to Keilah. Then said Saul, "God hath delivered him into mine hand. For he is shut in, that he is come into a town with gates and bars." And Saul called all the people to war, for to go to Keilah to besiege David and his men. But David had knowledge that Saul imagined mischief against him, and said therefore to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod." Then said David, "O LORD God of Israel, thy servant heareth that Saul is about to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Or will Saul come as thy servant heareth say? LORD God of Israel, tell thy servant." And the LORD said, "He will come." Then said David, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will deliver you."
And David asked the LORD, saying, "Shall I follow after this company? And shall I overtake them?" And he said to him, "Follow, for thou shalt overtake them and recover the prey."
After this David asked the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Juda? And the LORD said, "Go." And David answered, "Whither shall I go?" He answered, "Unto Hebron."
And David asked of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go to the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into my hands?" And the LORD said unto David, "Go, for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hands."
And David asked the LORD, and he said, "Go not. But compass them on the back side and come down upon them from the pear trees.
And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there never a Prophet of the LORD's here, more, that we might enquire of him?" And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one, by whom we may ask counsel of the LORD: one Micaiah the son of Imlah. But I hate him: for he never prophesieth good unto me, but evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so." Then the king of Israel called unto one of his chamberlains and said, "Fetch Micaiah the son of Imlah hither at once." read more.
And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat either in his seat and their apparel on them, in a void place beside the entering of the gate of Samaria, and all the Prophets prophesying before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron and said, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'With these horns thou shalt winnow the Syrians until thou have made an end of them." And all the Prophets prophesied even so, saying, "Go to Ramoth in Gilead and prosper, for the LORD shall deliver it into the hands of the king." And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah, said unto him, "See, the words of the Prophets speak good unto the king with one voice: let thy words, I pray thee, be like the words of one of them, and speak that is good." And Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD liveth, what the LORD putteth in my mouth, that will I speak." And when he was come to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to battle, or shall we be still?" And he said unto him, "Go and prosper, the LORD deliver it unto the hands of the king." And the king said unto him, "How often shall I adjure thee, that thou tell me nothing but truth, in the name of the LORD?" Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have no shepherds. And the LORD said, 'Those have no master; let them return, every man to his house in peace.'" Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell thee, that he would prophesy no good unto me, but evil?" And Micaiah said, "Hear therefore the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sit on his seat and all his company of heaven standing about him, on his righthand and on his left. And the LORD said, 'Who shall deceive Ahab that he may go and be slain at Ramoth in Gilead?' And one said on this manner and another on that. Then came forth a spirit and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will deceive him.' And the LORD said, 'Wherewith?' And he said, 'I will go out and be a false spirit in the mouths of all Prophets.' And the LORD said, 'Thou shalt deceive him and also prevail, go forth and do even so.' Now therefore behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets: when in very deed the LORD hath spoken evil toward thee." Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "How is the spirit of the LORD gone from me, to speak in thee?" And Micaiah said, "Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thee." And the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and carry him back again into Amon the governor of the city, and unto Joab the king's son, and say, 'Thus sayeth the king. Put ye this fellow in the prison house and feed him with bread and water straightly, until I return in peace.'" Then Micaiah said, "If thou come safe again, the LORD hath not spoken in me." And he said moreover, "Hearken to the people every one of you."
And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat either in his seat and their apparel on them, in a void place beside the entering of the gate of Samaria, and all the Prophets prophesying before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron and said, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'With these horns thou shalt winnow the Syrians until thou have made an end of them." And all the Prophets prophesied even so, saying, "Go to Ramoth in Gilead and prosper, for the LORD shall deliver it into the hands of the king." And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah, said unto him, "See, the words of the Prophets speak good unto the king with one voice: let thy words, I pray thee, be like the words of one of them, and speak that is good." And Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD liveth, what the LORD putteth in my mouth, that will I speak." And when he was come to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to battle, or shall we be still?" And he said unto him, "Go and prosper, the LORD deliver it unto the hands of the king." And the king said unto him, "How often shall I adjure thee, that thou tell me nothing but truth, in the name of the LORD?" Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have no shepherds. And the LORD said, 'Those have no master; let them return, every man to his house in peace.'" Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell thee, that he would prophesy no good unto me, but evil?" And Micaiah said, "Hear therefore the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sit on his seat and all his company of heaven standing about him, on his righthand and on his left. And the LORD said, 'Who shall deceive Ahab that he may go and be slain at Ramoth in Gilead?' And one said on this manner and another on that. Then came forth a spirit and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will deceive him.' And the LORD said, 'Wherewith?' And he said, 'I will go out and be a false spirit in the mouths of all Prophets.' And the LORD said, 'Thou shalt deceive him and also prevail, go forth and do even so.' Now therefore behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets: when in very deed the LORD hath spoken evil toward thee." Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "How is the spirit of the LORD gone from me, to speak in thee?" And Micaiah said, "Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thee." And the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and carry him back again into Amon the governor of the city, and unto Joab the king's son, and say, 'Thus sayeth the king. Put ye this fellow in the prison house and feed him with bread and water straightly, until I return in peace.'" Then Micaiah said, "If thou come safe again, the LORD hath not spoken in me." And he said moreover, "Hearken to the people every one of you."
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there here no prophet of the LORD's, that we may enquire of the LORD by him?" And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, "Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat which poured water on the hands of Elijah." And Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the LORD is with him." And so the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom went down to him. And Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with thee? Get thee to the prophets of thy father and of thy mother." And the king of Israel said unto him, "Oh nay, but hath the LORD called these three kings to deliver them into the hands of the Moabites?" read more.
And Elisha said, "As sure as the LORD of Hosts liveth - in whose sight I stand - and it were not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor yet see ye." But now bring me a minstrel. And as the minstrel played, the hand of the LORD was upon him. And he said, "Thus biddeth the LORD, 'Make this brook full of ditches.' For thus sayeth the LORD, 'Ye shall see neither wind nor rain, and yet this brook shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, and your beasts and your cattle also.' And this is yet but a small thing in the sight of the LORD: But he will give the Moabites into your hands also. And ye shall destroy all strong towns and all goodly cities, and shall fall all pleasant trees and stop all the wells of water, and mar all good plots of ground with stones."
And Elisha said, "As sure as the LORD of Hosts liveth - in whose sight I stand - and it were not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor yet see ye." But now bring me a minstrel. And as the minstrel played, the hand of the LORD was upon him. And he said, "Thus biddeth the LORD, 'Make this brook full of ditches.' For thus sayeth the LORD, 'Ye shall see neither wind nor rain, and yet this brook shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, and your beasts and your cattle also.' And this is yet but a small thing in the sight of the LORD: But he will give the Moabites into your hands also. And ye shall destroy all strong towns and all goodly cities, and shall fall all pleasant trees and stop all the wells of water, and mar all good plots of ground with stones."
And David asked God, saying, "Shall I go against the Philistines and wilt thou deliver them into mine hands?" And the LORD said to him: "Go, for I will deliver them into thine hand."
Then David asked God, And God said to him, "Go not after them, but turn away from them, and come upon them straight from the pear trees.
"Thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel: This answer shall ye give to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me for counsel, 'Behold, Pharaoh's host which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into his own land: but the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, win it, and set fire upon it. For thus sayeth the LORD: Deceive not your own minds, thinking on this manner, 'Tush, the Chaldeans go now their way from us.' No, they shall not go their way. read more.
For though ye had slain the whole host of the Chaldeans that besiege you, and every one of the slain lay in his tent, yet should they stand up, and set fire upon this city.'"
For though ye had slain the whole host of the Chaldeans that besiege you, and every one of the slain lay in his tent, yet should they stand up, and set fire upon this city.'"
Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Centurions
When Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a certain Centurion, and besought him,
The Centurion answered and said, "Sir, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
When the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things which happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Of a surety this was the son of God."
And the servant of a certain Centurion was sick, and ready to die, whom he made much of.
When the Centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God saying, "Of a surety this man was perfect."
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a captain of the soldiers of Italy,
When the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him,
And they said unto him, "Cornelius the captain, a just man and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the people of the Jews, was warned by a holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee."
Which immediately took soldiers and under-captains, and ran down unto them. When they saw the upper-captain and the soldiers; They left smiting of Paul.
When the centurion heard that, he went to the upper-captain, and told him saying, "What intendest thou to do? This man is a citizen of Rome."
And Paul called one of the under captains unto him, and said, "Bring this young man unto the high captain: for he hath a certain thing to show him."
And he called unto him two under captains, saying, "Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten. And spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night.
And he commanded an under-captain to keep Paul, and that he should have rest, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister unto him, or to come unto him.
When it was concluded that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, an under-captain of Caesar's soldiers.
Neverthelater, the under-captain believed the governor, and the master, better than those things which were spoken of Paul.
But the under-captain, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that they that could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and escape to land.
And when he came to Rome, the under-captain delivered the prisoners to the chief captain of the host: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with one Soldier that kept him.
Armies » Enumeration of israel's military forces
"Take ye the sum of all the multitude of the children of Israel, in their kindreds and households of their fathers and number them by name all that are males, poll by poll, from twenty years and above: even all that are able to go forth into war in Israel, thou and Aaron shall number them in their armies.
"Take the number of all the multitude of the children of Israel from twenty years and above throughout their fathers' houses, all that are able to go to war in Israel."
And when they were numbered in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundredth thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
And the king numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and of hundreds over them. And he sent one part of them with Joab, and another part with Abishai the son of Zeruiah Joab's brother, and the third part with Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, "Shall I go with you?"
And the LORD was wroth again against Israel, and stirred up David against them, saying, "Go and number both Israel and Judah." And forthwith the king said to Joab the captain of his Host, "Go abroad, I pray thee, throughout all the tribes of Israel, even from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people that I may know the number of them." And Joab said unto the king, "I beseech that the LORD thy God make the people as many more as they be: yea and a hundred times so many more, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see them. But how is it that my lord the king hath a lust in this thing?" read more.
Notwithstanding, the king's words prevailed against Joab and against all the captains of the Host. Then Joab and the captains of the Host went out from the king, to view the people of Israel. And they passed over Jordan and pitched in Aroer on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the valley of Gad and so forth to Jazer. And then they went to Gilead and to the nether land of Hodshi, and from thence to Dan-Jaan, and about to Sidon, and came to the strong town of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites and of the Cananites, and then went out to the South of Judah even to Beersheba. And so when they had been abroad throughout all the land they returned to Jerusalem again at the end of nine months and twenty days. And then Joab delivered up the reckoning of the number of the people unto the king. And there were found in Israel nine hundred thousand men of might that drew swords. And the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
Notwithstanding, the king's words prevailed against Joab and against all the captains of the Host. Then Joab and the captains of the Host went out from the king, to view the people of Israel. And they passed over Jordan and pitched in Aroer on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the valley of Gad and so forth to Jazer. And then they went to Gilead and to the nether land of Hodshi, and from thence to Dan-Jaan, and about to Sidon, and came to the strong town of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites and of the Cananites, and then went out to the South of Judah even to Beersheba. And so when they had been abroad throughout all the land they returned to Jerusalem again at the end of nine months and twenty days. And then Joab delivered up the reckoning of the number of the people unto the king. And there were found in Israel nine hundred thousand men of might that drew swords. And the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
Then he numbered the men of the governors of the shires: and they were two hundred and thirty two. And after them he numbered all the people, and all the children of Israel were seven thousand.
And Amaziah gathered Judah together and made captains over thousands and over hundreds in the houses of their fathers throughout all Judah and Benjamin. And he numbered them from twenty years and above, and found them three hundred thousand lusty men able to go to battle, and that could handle spear and shield.
Armies » Illustrative of » The church
What is she, this that peepeth out as the morning, fair as the moon, excellent as the sun, glorious as an army of men with their banners?
It grew up to the host of heaven, whereof it did cast some down to the ground, and of the stars also, and trod them under feet. Yea it grew up unto the prince of the host, from whom the daily offering was taken, and the place of his Sanctuary casten down. And a certain season was given unto it, against the daily offering, because of wickedness: that it might cast down the verity to the ground, and so to prosper in all things that it went about. read more.
Upon this I heard one of the saints speaking, which saint said unto one that asked this question, "How long shall this vision of the daily sacrifice and of the wasting abomination endure: that the Sanctuary and the power shall so be trodden under foot?"
Upon this I heard one of the saints speaking, which saint said unto one that asked this question, "How long shall this vision of the daily sacrifice and of the wasting abomination endure: that the Sanctuary and the power shall so be trodden under foot?"
Thou art beautiful, O my love, even as loveliness itself; thou art fair as Jerusalem, glorious as an army of men with their banners.
Armies » Illustrative of » Multitudes of angels
Either thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Praise him all ye angels of his; praise him, all his host.
And Micaiah said, "Hear therefore the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sit on his seat and all his company of heaven standing about him, on his righthand and on his left.
in comparison of whom, all they that dwell upon the earth are to be reputed as nothing. He handleth according to his will, among the powers of heaven and among the inhabiters of the earth - and there is none that may resist his hand, or say, 'What doest thou?'
Armies » March in ranks » Move, in attack, in three divisions
And he sent one part of them with Joab, and another part with Abishai the son of Zeruiah Joab's brother, and the third part with Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, "Shall I go with you?"
And on the morrow Saul put the people in three parts. And they came in upon the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites, until the heat of the day. And they that remained, scattered: so that two of them were not left together.
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and gave every man a trumpet in his hand, with an empty pitcher and lamps therein,
And he took his people and divided them into three companies and lay await in the fields. And when he saw that the people were come out of the city, he ran upon them and laid upon them.
And there came out of the host of the Philistines three companies, to destroy: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah unto the land of Shual; and another company turned the way to Bethhoron; and the third company turned to the way of the coast that turneth to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
In the mean season while he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The Chaldeans made three armies, and fell upon thy camels, which they have carried away: yea, and slain thy servants with the sword, and I only am gotten away, to tell thee."
Armies » Often destroyed by » Themselves through divine intervention
And as the three hundred blew with trumpets, the LORD set every man's sword upon his neighbour, throughout all the host. And the host fled until they came to Bethshittah, to Zererah, and to the edge of Abelmeholah beside Tabbath.
And there was a fear in the host that was in the field, and among all the people: insomuch that they that kept the hold, and they that were gone to rob, were afraid also: and the earth trembled and there was a fear sent of God. And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin saw. And behold, the people scattered and ran hither and thither.
to destroy them utterly and to wipe them out. And when they had made an end of the inhabiters of Seir, then they helped to destroy each other.
Armies » Of different nations often confederated
they gathered themselves together to fight against Joshua and Israel with one accord.
Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon gathered themselves together, both they and all their hosts and went up and besieged Gibeon, and made war against it.
And this Eglon gathered unto him the children of Ammon, and the Amalekites, and went and smote the children of Israel, and conquered the city of palm trees.
And Benhadad, king of Syria, gathered all his host together - and thirty two kings with him, with horse and chariot - and went up and besieged Samaria and warred against it.
Armies » Commenced battles with a shout
And David rose up early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper, and took and went, as Jesse had commanded him, and came where the host lay. And the host was going out in array, and shouted in the battle:
and the men of Judah gave a shout. And as the men of Judah shouted, God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
The LORD of Hosts hath sworn by himself that he will overwhelm thee with men, like grasshoppers in number, which with courage shall cry 'Alarum, Alarum' against thee.
Armies » Furnished with standards
Thou art beautiful, O my love, even as loveliness itself; thou art fair as Jerusalem, glorious as an army of men with their banners.
Yea, all the glory of his woods and fields shall be consumed with body and soul. As for himself, he shall be as one chased away.
Armies » Exercised savage cruelties on the vanquished
Thus sayeth the LORD, 'For three and four wickednesses of the children of Ammon, I will not spare them: because they ripped up the women great with child in Gilead, to make the borders of their lands the wider.
They bear bows and bucklers, cruel are they and unmerciful. Their voice roareth like the raging sea, they ride upon horses, and come weaponed to fight against thee, O Babylon.
The wives are ravished in Zion, and the maidens in the cities of Judah. The princes are hanged up with the hand of the enemies; they have not spared the old sage men; they have taken young men's lives from them, and the boys are hanged up upon trees.
Armies » March in ranks » Standing armies
he chose him three thousand men out of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and Mount Bethel, and a thousand with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the people he sent, every man to his own house.
And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: that he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he bestowed in the chariot cities and about the king at Jerusalem.
And so Jehoshaphat prospered and grew up on high. And he built, in Judah, castles and store cities. And he had great substance in the cities of Judah, and fighting men and men of might in Jerusalem. And this is the order in the houses of their fathers, of the captains over thousands in Judah: Adnah the captain, and with him of fighting men three hundred thousand. read more.
And next to him, Jehohanan a captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand. And by his side, Amasiah the son of Zichri, willing unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men. And of the children of Benjamin, Eliada was a man of might, and had with him, armed with bows and shields, two hundred thousand. And by his side Jehozabad, with whom were a hundred and eighty thousand trimmed for war. These waited on the king, besides those which the king had put in strong cities throughout all Judah.
And next to him, Jehohanan a captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand. And by his side, Amasiah the son of Zichri, willing unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men. And of the children of Benjamin, Eliada was a man of might, and had with him, armed with bows and shields, two hundred thousand. And by his side Jehozabad, with whom were a hundred and eighty thousand trimmed for war. These waited on the king, besides those which the king had put in strong cities throughout all Judah.
And Uzziah had a host of fighting men that went out to war in the army and were told and numbered by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah an officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's lords. And the whole number of the ancient heads of the men of might were two thousand and six hundred, and under the hands of them was the army of the host, three hundred and seven thousand, and five hundred that made war with might and strength, to help the king against his enemies. read more.
And Uzziah provided them, throughout all the host, shields, spears, helmets, habergeons, bows and slings for stones. And he made engines in Jerusalem by the craft of artificers to be on the towers and corners, to shoot arrows and great stones with all. And his name spread far abroad, for he was wonderfully helped, until he was become mighty.
And Uzziah provided them, throughout all the host, shields, spears, helmets, habergeons, bows and slings for stones. And he made engines in Jerusalem by the craft of artificers to be on the towers and corners, to shoot arrows and great stones with all. And his name spread far abroad, for he was wonderfully helped, until he was become mighty.
Armies » Often surprised their enemies
Set up tokens upon the walls of Babylon, make your watch strong, set your watchmen in array, yea hold privy watches: and yet for all that shall the LORD go forth with the device, which he hath taken upon them that dwell in Babylon.
and the men of Judah gave a shout. And as the men of Judah shouted, God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king, as thou didst unto Jericho and her king. Nevertheless the spoil and cattle thereof, ye shall take unto yourselves. But lay a watch unto the town on the backside thereof."
Armies » How officered » Commander-in-chief
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host in the stead of Joab, which Amasa was a man's son named Ithra a Jezreelite that went into Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of his chief captain was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder.
And say to Amasa, 'Art thou not my bone and my flesh? And God do so to me and so thereto: except thou be captain of the host to me forever in the room of Joab.'"
But Abner the son of Ner that was captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him to Mahanaim;
And Joab was over all the host of Israel. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
Armies » Compared to » Locusts
and that their spoil may be gathered, as the grasshoppers are commonly gathered together into the pit.
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: And unto them was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power.
And the similitude of the locusts was like unto horses prepared unto battle, and on their heads were as it were crowns, like unto gold: and their faces were as it had been the faces of men.
Armies » March in ranks » Standards
"The children of Israel shall pitch: every man by his own standard, with the banners of their father's houses, away from the presence of the tabernacle of witness. On the east side, toward the rising of the sun, shall they of the standard of the host of Judah pitch with their arms; and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain over the sons of Judah:
"And on the south side, the standard of the host of Reuben shall lie with their companies; and the captain over the sons of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur:
"And the tabernacle of witness, with the host of the Levites, shall go in the midst of the hosts: as they lie in their tents, even so shall they proceed in the journey, every man in his quarter about their standards. "On the west side, the standard and the host of Ephraim shall lie with their companies; and the captain over the sons of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud:
"And the standard and the host of Dan shall lie on the north side with their companies; and the captain over the children of Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai:
So that the whole number, of all that pertained unto the host of Dan, was a hundred thousand fifty seven thousand and six hundred. And they shall be the last in the journey with their standards."
And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, and so they pitched with their standards, and so they journeyed: every man in his kindred, and in the household of his father.
even the standard of the host of Judah removed first with their armies, whose captain was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Then the standard of the host of Reuben went forth with their armies, whose captain was Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Then the standard of the host of the children of Ephraim went forth with their armies, whose captain was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
And hindmost of all the host came the standard of the host of the children of Dan with their armies: whose captain was, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Armies » Captains of thousands
And Amaziah gathered Judah together and made captains over thousands and over hundreds in the houses of their fathers throughout all Judah and Benjamin. And he numbered them from twenty years and above, and found them three hundred thousand lusty men able to go to battle, and that could handle spear and shield.
And Moses was angry with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands and over hundreds, which came from war and battle,
And the officers of thousands of the host, the captains over the thousands and the captains over the hundreds came forth and said unto Moses,
And carry these ten fresh cheeses unto the captain, and look how thy brethren fare, and set out their pledges."
And David gathered together all the lords of Israel: the lords of the tribes, the lords of the companies that ministered to the king by course, the lords over the thousands and over the hundreds, and the lords over all the goods and cattle of the king and of his sons, with the chamberlains, warriors and all active men unto Jerusalem.
Armies » Captains of hundreds
And Amaziah gathered Judah together and made captains over thousands and over hundreds in the houses of their fathers throughout all Judah and Benjamin. And he numbered them from twenty years and above, and found them three hundred thousand lusty men able to go to battle, and that could handle spear and shield.
And Moses was angry with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands and over hundreds, which came from war and battle,
And the officers of thousands of the host, the captains over the thousands and the captains over the hundreds came forth and said unto Moses,
And David gathered together all the lords of Israel: the lords of the tribes, the lords of the companies that ministered to the king by course, the lords over the thousands and over the hundreds, and the lords over all the goods and cattle of the king and of his sons, with the chamberlains, warriors and all active men unto Jerusalem.
And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds that had the rule of the host, and said to them, "Bring her without the wall. And if any follow her, let him die with the sword. For the priest said, "She may not be slain in the house of the LORD."
Armies » Figurative
The chariots of God are many thousand times a thousand, the LORD is among them, as in the holy place of Sinai.
saying, "The LORD came from Sinai, and showed his beams from Seir unto them; and appeared gloriously from mount Paran, and he came with thousands of saints, and in his righthand a law of fire for them.
And Elisha prayed and said, "LORD open the eyes of the young man," and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
The angel of the LORD pitcheth his tent round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
And the number of horsemen of war, were twenty times ten thousand. And I heard the number of them.
Armies » Often destroyed by » Their enemies
And the LORD turmoiled them before Israel and slew of them a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron and slew them till they came to Azekah and Makkedah.
And when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a great slaughter till they were wasted, yet there remained a certain of them, which entered into walled cities.
Armies » Compared to » Overflowing torrents
Behold, the strength and power of the LORD shall break into the land on every side, like a tempest of hail that beareth down strongholds, and like a horrible, mighty and overflowing water.
Wherefore his sons shall be displeased, and shall gather together a mighty great host of people: and one of them shall come, and go through like a water flood: then shall he return, and go forth with defying and boasting unto his own land.
Yea, they that eat of his meat, shall hurt him: so that his host shall fall, and many be slain down.
Armies » Accompanied by beasts of burden and wagons for baggage
And the Midianites, the Amalekites, and all they of the east, lay along in the valley, like unto grasshoppers in multitude, and their camels were without number, even as the sand by the seaside in multitude.
And upon that they arose and fled in the dark, and left their tents, their horses, their asses and the field they had pitched even as it was, and fled for their lives.
Armies » March in ranks » Orders delivered with trumpets
And therewith Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still and pursued after Israel no more nor fought no more.
Then Joab blew a trumpet, and the people returned from following Israel: for Joab spared the people.
And there happened to be an unthrifty fellow named Sheba, the son of Bichri a man of Benjamin which blew a trumpet and said, "We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse, O Israel.
And then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they smote off the head of Sheba son of Bichri, and cast it to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they scattered from the city every man to his tent, and Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
And everyone that builded, had his sword gird by his side, and so builded they. And the trumpeters stood beside me.
Look in what place now ye hear the noise of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us. Our God shall fight for us,
Armies » Generals of corps and divisions
And so Jehoshaphat prospered and grew up on high. And he built, in Judah, castles and store cities. And he had great substance in the cities of Judah, and fighting men and men of might in Jerusalem. And this is the order in the houses of their fathers, of the captains over thousands in Judah: Adnah the captain, and with him of fighting men three hundred thousand. read more.
And next to him, Jehohanan a captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand. And by his side, Amasiah the son of Zichri, willing unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men. And of the children of Benjamin, Eliada was a man of might, and had with him, armed with bows and shields, two hundred thousand. And by his side Jehozabad, with whom were a hundred and eighty thousand trimmed for war. These waited on the king, besides those which the king had put in strong cities throughout all Judah.
And next to him, Jehohanan a captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand. And by his side, Amasiah the son of Zichri, willing unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men. And of the children of Benjamin, Eliada was a man of might, and had with him, armed with bows and shields, two hundred thousand. And by his side Jehozabad, with whom were a hundred and eighty thousand trimmed for war. These waited on the king, besides those which the king had put in strong cities throughout all Judah.
So that the whole number, of all that pertained unto the host of Dan, was a hundred thousand fifty seven thousand and six hundred. And they shall be the last in the journey with their standards."
On the east side, toward the rising of the sun, shall they of the standard of the host of Judah pitch with their arms; and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain over the sons of Judah:
So speak of the children of Israel: in the number of them were ancient heads and captains of thousands and hundreds, and officers that served the king in all things according to the companies that came in or went out, month by month throughout all the months of the year. And every company had twenty four thousand. Over the first company in the first month, was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel. And in his number twenty four thousand. And the chiefest of all the captains in the host of the first month was of the children of Perez. read more.
Over the company of the second month Dodai an Ahohite, and in his host was Mikloth a ruler. And in his company were twenty four thousand. The chief captain of the third host in the third month, was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the priest. And in his host twenty four thousand. This is the Benaiah mighty among thirty and above thirty. And in his part was Ammizabad his son. The fourth captain in the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him. And in his host were twenty four thousand. The fifth captain in the fifth month was: Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his host were twenty four thousand. The sixth captain in the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh a Tekoite: and in his host were twenty four thousand. The seventh captain in the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his host twenty four thousand. The eighth Captain in the eighth month was Sibbecai an Hushathite of the kin of Sarah. And in his host twenty four thousand. The ninth Captain in the ninth month was Abiezer an Antothite of the sons of Benjamin: and in his host twenty four thousand. The tenth captain in the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites. And in his host twenty four thousand. The eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the children of Ephraim: and in his host twenty four thousand. The twelfth Captain in the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel, and in his host twenty four thousand. And the rulers over the tribes of Israel were these. Among the Reubenites, was Eliezer the son of Zichri. Among the Simeonites, was Shephatiah the son of Maacah. Among the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel. Among the Aaronites, Zadok. In Judah, Elihu of the brethren of David. In Issachar, Omri the son of Michael. In Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah. In Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel. Among the children of Ephraim, Hosea the son of Azaziah. In the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah. Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zachariah. In Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner. In Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These are the lords in the tribes of Israel.
Over the company of the second month Dodai an Ahohite, and in his host was Mikloth a ruler. And in his company were twenty four thousand. The chief captain of the third host in the third month, was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the priest. And in his host twenty four thousand. This is the Benaiah mighty among thirty and above thirty. And in his part was Ammizabad his son. The fourth captain in the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him. And in his host were twenty four thousand. The fifth captain in the fifth month was: Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his host were twenty four thousand. The sixth captain in the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh a Tekoite: and in his host were twenty four thousand. The seventh captain in the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his host twenty four thousand. The eighth Captain in the eighth month was Sibbecai an Hushathite of the kin of Sarah. And in his host twenty four thousand. The ninth Captain in the ninth month was Abiezer an Antothite of the sons of Benjamin: and in his host twenty four thousand. The tenth captain in the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites. And in his host twenty four thousand. The eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the children of Ephraim: and in his host twenty four thousand. The twelfth Captain in the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel, and in his host twenty four thousand. And the rulers over the tribes of Israel were these. Among the Reubenites, was Eliezer the son of Zichri. Among the Simeonites, was Shephatiah the son of Maacah. Among the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel. Among the Aaronites, Zadok. In Judah, Elihu of the brethren of David. In Issachar, Omri the son of Michael. In Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah. In Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel. Among the children of Ephraim, Hosea the son of Azaziah. In the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah. Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zachariah. In Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner. In Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These are the lords in the tribes of Israel.
Armies » Troops often hired for
And they hired thirty two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, which came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities and went out to battle.
And he hired thereto a hundred thousand fighting men out of Israel, for a hundred talents of silver.
Armies » Employed in » Fighting battles
And Saul and the men of Israel came and pitched in Oakdale and put themselves in array, to fight against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on a hill on the one side, and Israel stood on a hill on the other side; and a valley between them.
Which, when it was told David, he gathered all Israel, and went over Jordan and went and set upon them. And David put himself in array against the Syrians, and they fought with him.
Armies » Who were exempt from service in
But the Levites in the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Only see that thou number not the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel. read more.
But thou shalt appoint the Levites unto the habitation of witness, and to all the apparel thereof and unto all that longeth thereto. For they shall bear the tabernacle and all the ordinance thereof, and they shall minister it and shall pitch their tents round about it.
But thou shalt appoint the Levites unto the habitation of witness, and to all the apparel thereof and unto all that longeth thereto. For they shall bear the tabernacle and all the ordinance thereof, and they shall minister it and shall pitch their tents round about it.
And yet the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And let the officers speak unto the people, saying, 'If any man have built a new house and have not dedicate it, let him go and return to his house lest he die in the battle, and another dedicate it. And if any man have planted a vineyard and have not made it common, let him go and return again unto his house, lest he die in the battle and another make it common. And if any man be betrothed unto a wife and have not taken her, let him go and return again unto his house, lest he die in the battle and another take her.' read more.
And let the officers speak further unto the people, and say, 'If any man fear and be fainthearted, let him go and return unto his house, lest his brother's heart be made faint as well as his.' And when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, let them make captains of war over them.
And let the officers speak further unto the people, and say, 'If any man fear and be fainthearted, let him go and return unto his house, lest his brother's heart be made faint as well as his.' And when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, let them make captains of war over them.
Now therefore make a proclamation in the ears of the people and say, 'If any man dread or be afraid, let him return and get him soon from mount Gilead.'" And there departed and returned of the people twenty two thousand, and there abode ten thousand.
Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
And he stood and called unto the host of Israel, and said unto them, "What needeth that ye should come out in array to battle? Am not I a Philistine, and you servants to Saul? Choose you a man, and let him come down to me: if he be able to fight with me and to beat me, then we will be your servants. But if I can overcome him and beat him, then ye shall be our servants and serve us." And the Philistine said, "I have defied the host of Israel this day; give me a man and let us fight together." read more.
When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were discouraged and greatly afraid. And this David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, named Jesse; which Jesse had eight sons, and was an old man in the days of Saul among the people. And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to battle. And the names of his three sons that went to battle were: Eliab the eldest, and the next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. And David was the youngest. And when the three eldest were gone after Saul, David went and departed from Saul, to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. And the Philistine came forth every morning and evening, and continued forty days. And Jesse said unto David his son, "Take for thy brethren this ephah of parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the host, to thy brethren. And carry these ten fresh cheeses unto the captain, and look how thy brethren fare, and set out their pledges." And Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in Oakdale fighting with the Philistines. And David rose up early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper, and took and went, as Jesse had commanded him, and came where the host lay. And the host was going out in array, and shouted in the battle: for Israel and the Philistines had put themselves in array, the one against the other. Then David put the pannier from him, unto the hands of the keeper of the vessels, and ran into the host and came and saluted his brethren. And as he talked with them, behold, there stood a man in the midst: Goliath the Philistine by name, of Gath, which came out of the array of the Philistines, and spake of the manner above rehearsed, that David heard it. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, ran away from him, and were sore afraid. And every man of Israel said, "See ye this man that is come forth; even to revile Israel is he come. And to him that beateth him will the king give great riches, and will give him his daughter thereto: yea and make his father's house free in Israel." Then spake David to the men that stood by and said, "What shall be done to the man that beateth this Philistine and taketh away the shame from Israel? For what is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should revile the host of the living God?" And the people answered as it is rehearsed, saying, "So shall it be done to the man that beateth him." And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the man and was angry with David and said, "Why camest thou away, and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the malice of thine heart, that thou art come to see the battle." And David answered, "What have I now done? Is there any more, save a word?" And departed from by him into another front, and spake of the same manner, and the people answered him again, as before. And they that heard the words which David spake, rehearsed them before Saul, which caused him to be fetched. And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail him because of him. Thy servant will go and fight with his Philistine." And Saul said to David again, "Thou art not able to go unto this Philistine, to fight with him. For thou art but a lad, and he hath been a man of war even from his youth." Then said David unto Saul, "As thy servant kept his father's sheep, there came a Lion and likewise a Bear, and took a sheep out of the flock. And I went out after him and smote him, and took it out of his mouth. And when he arose against me, I caught him by the beard and smote him and slew him. For both a Lion and also a Bear hath thy servant slain. And this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, for his railing on the host of the living God." And David spake moreover, "The LORD that delivered me out of the hands of the Lion and out of the hands of the Bear, he shall deliver me also out of the hands of the Philistine." Then said Saul to David, "Go, and the LORD be with thee." And Saul put his raiment upon David, and put a helmet of brass upon his head, and put a coat of mail upon him, and gird David with his own sword upon his raiment. And he assayed to go, for he never proved it. Then said David unto Saul, "I cannot go in these, for I have not been used thereto." And put them off him, and took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of a brook and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, and in a poke; and took a sling in his hand, and went to the Philistine. And the Philistine came and drew near to David, with the man that bare a shield before him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a lad, ruddy and goodly to look upon. And the Philistine said unto David, "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with a staff?" And he cursed David in the name of his gods. And he said to David, "Come to me and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field." Then said David to the Philistine, "Thou comest to me with a sword, a spear, and a shield: But I come to thee in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the host of Israel whom thou hast railed upon. This day shall the LORD deliver thee into my hand, and I shall smite thee and take thine head from thee, and will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air and to the beasts of the earth - and all the world shall know that there is a God in Israel. And all this congregation shall know that the LORD saveth not with the sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he shall give you into our hands." And when the Philistine arose and came and drew nigh unto David, David hasted and ran in array even against the Philistine. And David put his hand in his poke and took out a stone and slung it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead that the stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell groveling to the earth. And so David overcame the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and smote the Philistine and slew him. And because David had no sword in his hand, he ran and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword and drew it out of his sheath and slew him and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose and shouted and followed after the Philistines, until they came to the valley and unto the gates of Ekron. And the Philistines fell down dead by the way, even unto Gath and Ekron. And then the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines and robbed their tents.
When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were discouraged and greatly afraid. And this David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, named Jesse; which Jesse had eight sons, and was an old man in the days of Saul among the people. And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to battle. And the names of his three sons that went to battle were: Eliab the eldest, and the next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. And David was the youngest. And when the three eldest were gone after Saul, David went and departed from Saul, to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. And the Philistine came forth every morning and evening, and continued forty days. And Jesse said unto David his son, "Take for thy brethren this ephah of parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the host, to thy brethren. And carry these ten fresh cheeses unto the captain, and look how thy brethren fare, and set out their pledges." And Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in Oakdale fighting with the Philistines. And David rose up early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper, and took and went, as Jesse had commanded him, and came where the host lay. And the host was going out in array, and shouted in the battle: for Israel and the Philistines had put themselves in array, the one against the other. Then David put the pannier from him, unto the hands of the keeper of the vessels, and ran into the host and came and saluted his brethren. And as he talked with them, behold, there stood a man in the midst: Goliath the Philistine by name, of Gath, which came out of the array of the Philistines, and spake of the manner above rehearsed, that David heard it. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, ran away from him, and were sore afraid. And every man of Israel said, "See ye this man that is come forth; even to revile Israel is he come. And to him that beateth him will the king give great riches, and will give him his daughter thereto: yea and make his father's house free in Israel." Then spake David to the men that stood by and said, "What shall be done to the man that beateth this Philistine and taketh away the shame from Israel? For what is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should revile the host of the living God?" And the people answered as it is rehearsed, saying, "So shall it be done to the man that beateth him." And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the man and was angry with David and said, "Why camest thou away, and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the malice of thine heart, that thou art come to see the battle." And David answered, "What have I now done? Is there any more, save a word?" And departed from by him into another front, and spake of the same manner, and the people answered him again, as before. And they that heard the words which David spake, rehearsed them before Saul, which caused him to be fetched. And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail him because of him. Thy servant will go and fight with his Philistine." And Saul said to David again, "Thou art not able to go unto this Philistine, to fight with him. For thou art but a lad, and he hath been a man of war even from his youth." Then said David unto Saul, "As thy servant kept his father's sheep, there came a Lion and likewise a Bear, and took a sheep out of the flock. And I went out after him and smote him, and took it out of his mouth. And when he arose against me, I caught him by the beard and smote him and slew him. For both a Lion and also a Bear hath thy servant slain. And this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, for his railing on the host of the living God." And David spake moreover, "The LORD that delivered me out of the hands of the Lion and out of the hands of the Bear, he shall deliver me also out of the hands of the Philistine." Then said Saul to David, "Go, and the LORD be with thee." And Saul put his raiment upon David, and put a helmet of brass upon his head, and put a coat of mail upon him, and gird David with his own sword upon his raiment. And he assayed to go, for he never proved it. Then said David unto Saul, "I cannot go in these, for I have not been used thereto." And put them off him, and took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of a brook and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, and in a poke; and took a sling in his hand, and went to the Philistine. And the Philistine came and drew near to David, with the man that bare a shield before him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a lad, ruddy and goodly to look upon. And the Philistine said unto David, "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with a staff?" And he cursed David in the name of his gods. And he said to David, "Come to me and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field." Then said David to the Philistine, "Thou comest to me with a sword, a spear, and a shield: But I come to thee in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the host of Israel whom thou hast railed upon. This day shall the LORD deliver thee into my hand, and I shall smite thee and take thine head from thee, and will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air and to the beasts of the earth - and all the world shall know that there is a God in Israel. And all this congregation shall know that the LORD saveth not with the sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he shall give you into our hands." And when the Philistine arose and came and drew nigh unto David, David hasted and ran in array even against the Philistine. And David put his hand in his poke and took out a stone and slung it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead that the stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell groveling to the earth. And so David overcame the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and smote the Philistine and slew him. And because David had no sword in his hand, he ran and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword and drew it out of his sheath and slew him and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose and shouted and followed after the Philistines, until they came to the valley and unto the gates of Ekron. And the Philistines fell down dead by the way, even unto Gath and Ekron. And then the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines and robbed their tents.
And Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men arise and play before us." And Joab answered, "Be it." Then there arose and went over: twelve of Benjamin by number, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul; and twelve of the servants of David. And they caught each his fellow that came against him, by the head and thrust his sword in his side, and so fell down all at once. Wherefore the place was called Helkathhazzurim which is in Gibeon. read more.
And there began an exceeding cruel battle that same day. But Abner and the men of Israel were put to the worse of the servants of David.
And there began an exceeding cruel battle that same day. But Abner and the men of Israel were put to the worse of the servants of David.
And the Philistines had yet again war with Israel. And David went down, and his servants with him, and fought with the Philistines. And David waxed fainty, and Ishbi of Nob one of the sons of the Giants whose spear head weighed three hundredth sicles of brass, and was girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him and smote the Philistine and killed him. Then the servants of David sware unto him, saying, "Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that the light of Israel be not put out." read more.
And there was yet, after this, battle with the Philistines at Nob, in which Sibbecai the Hushathite slew Saph of the sons of Haraphah. And there was yet the third battle in Gob, with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of the Jair slew Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite: the staff of whose spear was as great as a weaver's cloth beam. And there was yet battle in Gath, where was a man of a size and had on every hand six fingers and on every foot six toes - twenty four in all - and was also of the kindred of the Giants, and defied Israel. And Jonathan the son of Shimei, the brother of David, slew him. These four were of the sons of the Giants in Gath, and were overthrown by the hand of David and by the hands of his servants.
And there was yet, after this, battle with the Philistines at Nob, in which Sibbecai the Hushathite slew Saph of the sons of Haraphah. And there was yet the third battle in Gob, with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of the Jair slew Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite: the staff of whose spear was as great as a weaver's cloth beam. And there was yet battle in Gath, where was a man of a size and had on every hand six fingers and on every foot six toes - twenty four in all - and was also of the kindred of the Giants, and defied Israel. And Jonathan the son of Shimei, the brother of David, slew him. These four were of the sons of the Giants in Gath, and were overthrown by the hand of David and by the hands of his servants.
Armies » March in ranks » Determine royal succession
But Abner the son of Ner that was captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him to Mahanaim; and made him king over Gilead and over the Asherites, and over Jezreel; and over Ephraim and Benjamin and over all Israel. And Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel - and reigned two years. But the house of Judah only followed David.
And when the people that lay in the siege, heard say how Zimri had conspired, and how he had slain the king also: then all Israel made Omri the captain of the men of war king the same day over Israel even in the host.
And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds with the captains and them of the guard, and took them into him into the house of the LORD, and made a bond with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and showed them the king's son. And he commanded them, saying, "This is that ye must do: one third part of you shall come on the Sabbath day and keep the watch of the king's house; and another third part shall be at the gate Sur; and another third part shall be at the gate behind the guard chamber, and so shall ye keep the watch of the house of Massah; read more.
and two portions of you - that is, all that go out the Sabbath day - shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king, and shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapon in his hand. And whosoever cometh within the ranges shall die for it. And see that ye be with the king as he goeth out and in." And the captains over the hundreds did all the things as Jehoiada the priest commanded: and took every man his men, that is, them that came in the Sabbath day with them that went out the Sabbath day, and went to Jehoiada the priest. And the priest gave to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that were king David's and had remained in the temple. And the guard stood every man with his weapon in his hand round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left along by the altar and the temple. And he brought out the son of the king and put the crown upon him, and delivered him the witness, and made him king and anointed him. And they clapped their hands and said, "God save the king."
and two portions of you - that is, all that go out the Sabbath day - shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king, and shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapon in his hand. And whosoever cometh within the ranges shall die for it. And see that ye be with the king as he goeth out and in." And the captains over the hundreds did all the things as Jehoiada the priest commanded: and took every man his men, that is, them that came in the Sabbath day with them that went out the Sabbath day, and went to Jehoiada the priest. And the priest gave to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that were king David's and had remained in the temple. And the guard stood every man with his weapon in his hand round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left along by the altar and the temple. And he brought out the son of the king and put the crown upon him, and delivered him the witness, and made him king and anointed him. And they clapped their hands and said, "God save the king."
Armies » Rendezvous of » Methods employed in effecting » Sounding a trumpet
the spirit of the LORD entered into Gideon. And he blew a trumpet, and called Abiezer to follow him;
"And when ye shall go to war in your land against your enemies that vex you, ye shall trump with the trumpets and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies.
And when he was come, he blew a trumpet in mount Ephraim. And the children of Israel went down with him off the hill and he before them.
And Jonathan slew the Philistines in a hold they had in Gibeah, and it came to the Philistines' ears. And Saul caused the trumpet to be blown throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear." And all Israel heard say, how that Saul had destroyed a hold of the Philistines, and how that Israel stank unto the Philistines. And all the people cried after Saul to Gilgal.
Armies » Encamped » In the open fields
And the three of the thirty chiefs went to a rock to David at the cave Adullam. And the Host of the Philistines had pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
And Uriah said unto David, "The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in pavilions; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord lie in tents upon the flat earth - and should I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By thy life and as sure as thy soul liveth, I will not do that thing."
Armies » Were composed of » Bowmen and slingers
The whole land shall flee, for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen: they shall run into dens, into woods, and climb up the stony rocks. All the cities shall be void, and no man dwelling therein.
weaponed with bows, and could handle stones, arrows and bow as well with the left hand as with the right, and were of Saul's brethren, even of the tribe of Benjamin.
Armies » March in ranks » Mercenaries
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank unto David, they sent and hired the sons of Bethrehob of the Syrians of Zobah: twenty thousand footmen; and of king Maacah: a thousand men; and of Ishtob: twelve thousand men.
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank in the nose of David, Hanun, and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire the chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia and out of Arammaacah and out of Zobah. And they hired thirty two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, which came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities and went out to battle.
And Amaziah gathered Judah together and made captains over thousands and over hundreds in the houses of their fathers throughout all Judah and Benjamin. And he numbered them from twenty years and above, and found them three hundred thousand lusty men able to go to battle, and that could handle spear and shield. And he hired thereto a hundred thousand fighting men out of Israel, for a hundred talents of silver.
Armies » Employed in » Besieging cities
But and if they will make no peace with thee, then make war against the city and besiege it.
For I will lay siege to thee round about, and keep thee in with towers, and grave up dikes against thee.
Armies » Compared to » Caterpillars
Set up a token in the land, blow the trumpets among the Heathen, provoke the nations against her, call the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz against her: set the prince against her, bring as great a sort of horses against her, as if they were grasshoppers.
The LORD of Hosts hath sworn by himself that he will overwhelm thee with men, like grasshoppers in number, which with courage shall cry 'Alarum, Alarum' against thee.
Armies » Called the » Bands
And the LORD sent upon him men of war out of Chaldea, out of Syria, out of the Moabites, and from the children of Ammon: and sent them into Judah to destroy it, according to the saying of the LORD which he spake by his servants the Prophets.
And among them in their kindreds and ancient households six and thirty thousand men prepared to war: for they had many wives and sons.
Armies » March in ranks » Decoy
And he commanded them, saying, "See that ye lie await unto the town on the backside thereof. Go not very far from the city, and see that ye be all ready. And I and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city. And when they come out against us, as at the first time, then will we flee before them. And they will come out after us, until we have plucked them away from the city. For they will say, 'They flee before us, as at the first time': for we will flee before them. read more.
Then shall ye rise up from lying await and destroy the city: For the LORD your God will deliver it into your hands. As soon, therefore, as ye have taken the city, see that ye set it on fire. According to the commandment of the LORD see that ye do: behold, I have charged you." And Joshua sent them forth, and they went to lie await, and lay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. But Joshua lodged that night among the people. And he rose up early in the morning and numbered the people and went up, both he and the elders of Israel before the people, unto Ai. And all the men of war that were with him, went up and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai, a valley being between them and Ai, and he took upon a five thousand men and put them to lie await, between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. And he put the people, even all the host, on the north side of the city, and the lyers-await on the west. And Joshua went the same night into the midst of the valley. And when the king of Ai saw that they hasted and rose up early, then the people of the city went out against Israel, to battle, both the king and all his people, at a time appointed, even before the plain, and wist not that there were lyers-await on the backside of the city. And Joshua and Israel were put to the worse before them, and fled toward the wilderness. And all the people of the town cried to follow after them. And they followed after Joshua till they were drawn away from the city: So that there was not a man left in Ai, or in Bethel, that went not out after Israel. And they left the city open and followed after Israel. Then the LORD said unto Joshua, "Stretch out the spear that is in thine hand toward Ai, for I have given thee it." And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand, toward the city. And the lyers-await rose quickly out of their places, and ran, as soon as Joshua had stretched out his hand, and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set it on fire. And when the men of Ai looked back after them and saw, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. And they had no place to flee either this way or that, for the people that fled to the wilderness turned back again upon the followers. And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the lyers-await had taken the city and that the smoke of it ascended, they turned again and laid on the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them. And so were they in the midst of Israel, these being on the one side of them, and the rest on the other. And they laid upon them, so that they let none either remain or escape.
Then shall ye rise up from lying await and destroy the city: For the LORD your God will deliver it into your hands. As soon, therefore, as ye have taken the city, see that ye set it on fire. According to the commandment of the LORD see that ye do: behold, I have charged you." And Joshua sent them forth, and they went to lie await, and lay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. But Joshua lodged that night among the people. And he rose up early in the morning and numbered the people and went up, both he and the elders of Israel before the people, unto Ai. And all the men of war that were with him, went up and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai, a valley being between them and Ai, and he took upon a five thousand men and put them to lie await, between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. And he put the people, even all the host, on the north side of the city, and the lyers-await on the west. And Joshua went the same night into the midst of the valley. And when the king of Ai saw that they hasted and rose up early, then the people of the city went out against Israel, to battle, both the king and all his people, at a time appointed, even before the plain, and wist not that there were lyers-await on the backside of the city. And Joshua and Israel were put to the worse before them, and fled toward the wilderness. And all the people of the town cried to follow after them. And they followed after Joshua till they were drawn away from the city: So that there was not a man left in Ai, or in Bethel, that went not out after Israel. And they left the city open and followed after Israel. Then the LORD said unto Joshua, "Stretch out the spear that is in thine hand toward Ai, for I have given thee it." And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand, toward the city. And the lyers-await rose quickly out of their places, and ran, as soon as Joshua had stretched out his hand, and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set it on fire. And when the men of Ai looked back after them and saw, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. And they had no place to flee either this way or that, for the people that fled to the wilderness turned back again upon the followers. And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the lyers-await had taken the city and that the smoke of it ascended, they turned again and laid on the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them. And so were they in the midst of Israel, these being on the one side of them, and the rest on the other. And they laid upon them, so that they let none either remain or escape.
And Israel set layers await against Gibeah round about. And the children of Israel went against the children of Benjamin the third time, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as twice before. Then came the children of Benjamin against the people, till they were drawn a great way from the city. And they began to smite of the people dead - as twice before, by two highways of which one goeth up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah through the field - upon a thirty men of Israel. read more.
For the children of Benjamin thought that the other had been beaten before them, as at the first time. But the children of Israel said, "Let us flee and pluck them away from the city, unto the highways." And then all the men of Israel rose up out of their standing, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar. And likewise the layers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah, and came before Gibeah: ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and there was sore battle. But the other knew not that evil was so nigh them. And the LORD plagued Benjamin before Israel, so that the children of Israel destroyed in Benjamin the same day twenty five thousand and a hundred men, that drew swords every one of them. It seemed the children of Benjamin, that the other had been put to the worse. For the men of Israel gave room to Benjamin, because they trusted unto the layers in wait which they had laid against Gibeah. And the layers in wait hasted and ran upon Gibeah, and went and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. And the appointment of the men of Israel with the layers in wait to run upon Benjamin with the sword, was when they should make the smoke rise up out of the city. And the men of Israel fled in the battle. And Benjamin began to smite dead of the children of Israel, about a thirty persons, for they supposed that the other had been put to the worse before them, as in the first battle. Then began to arise out of the city, a pillar of smoke. And the Benjamites looked back: and behold, the wasting of the whole city began to ascend up to heaven. When the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were abashed: for they saw that evil approached them. And they turned before the men of Israel into the way that leadeth to the wilderness, the other following them at the hard heels. And beside that they of the city destroyed them in the middle of them. And they compassed Benjamin about, and chased them to Menuah, and overran them before Gibeah on the east side.
For the children of Benjamin thought that the other had been beaten before them, as at the first time. But the children of Israel said, "Let us flee and pluck them away from the city, unto the highways." And then all the men of Israel rose up out of their standing, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar. And likewise the layers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah, and came before Gibeah: ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and there was sore battle. But the other knew not that evil was so nigh them. And the LORD plagued Benjamin before Israel, so that the children of Israel destroyed in Benjamin the same day twenty five thousand and a hundred men, that drew swords every one of them. It seemed the children of Benjamin, that the other had been put to the worse. For the men of Israel gave room to Benjamin, because they trusted unto the layers in wait which they had laid against Gibeah. And the layers in wait hasted and ran upon Gibeah, and went and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. And the appointment of the men of Israel with the layers in wait to run upon Benjamin with the sword, was when they should make the smoke rise up out of the city. And the men of Israel fled in the battle. And Benjamin began to smite dead of the children of Israel, about a thirty persons, for they supposed that the other had been put to the worse before them, as in the first battle. Then began to arise out of the city, a pillar of smoke. And the Benjamites looked back: and behold, the wasting of the whole city began to ascend up to heaven. When the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were abashed: for they saw that evil approached them. And they turned before the men of Israel into the way that leadeth to the wilderness, the other following them at the hard heels. And beside that they of the city destroyed them in the middle of them. And they compassed Benjamin about, and chased them to Menuah, and overran them before Gibeah on the east side.
Armies » Were led by » Experienced captains
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh, from Lachish, to king Hezekiah with a great Host to Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem, and went and stood by the conduit of the uppermost pool, which is in the way to the fuller's field,
and, if thou be not, how then art thou able to resist one of the least dukes of my master's servants? Or trustest thou to Egypt for chariots and horsemen?
Armies » Marched » With rapidity
Their horses are swifter than the cats of the mountain, and bite sorer than the wolves in the evening. Their horsemen come by great heaps from far, they flee hastily to devour as the Eagle.
For thus sayeth the LORD: Behold, the enemy shall come flying as an Eagle, and spread his wings upon Moab.
Armies » Often consisted of the whole effective strength of nations
The Philistines gathered all their hosts together unto Aphek: And Israel pitched by a fountain in Jezreel.
And Sihon would give Israel no license to pass through his country, but gathered all his people together and went out against Israel into the wilderness. And he came to Jahaz and fought with Israel.
Armies » Often went on foreign service
Lo, I will bring a people upon you from far, O house of Israel, sayeth the LORD; a mighty people, an old people, a people whose speech thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
For out of the north there shall come a people against her, which shall make her land so waste that nobody shall dwell therein, neither man nor beast; for they shall flee and depart from thence.
Armies » In latter ages received pay
The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, "And what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do violence to no man: neither trouble any man wrongfully: But be content with your wages."
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own cost? Who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit? Or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk?
Armies » Often destroyed by » Supernatural means
And as they fled from Israel, even in the going down to Bethhoron, the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them, until they came unto Azekah, that they died. And there were more that died with hailstones, than the children of Israel slew with the sword.
And the selfsame night the Angel of the LORD went out and smote, in the host of the Assyrians, a hundred and four score and five thousand. And when they were up early in the morning: behold, they were all dead corpses.
Armies » March in ranks » A promotion
These be the names of the mighty men that were about David: Josheb of Shebeth the Tahchemonite, first of three, otherwise called Adino the Eznite, which slew eight hundred at one time. And next to him, Eleazar the son of Dodi the son of Ahohi, one of the three principal that were with David, which - when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together in battle, and the men of Israel were gone up - arose and laid on the Philistines until his hand ached and clave unto the sword. And the LORD made a great victory the same day. And the people returned and went after him only to spoil. read more.
After him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite, which - when the Philistines were gathered together in Lehi, where was a parcel of land full of rice, and the people were fled for fear of the Philistines - stood in the midst of the said ground, and defended it and slew the Philistines. And the LORD gave him a great victory. And these three of the thirty of the lords went down and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave Adullam. And the Host of the Philistines had pitched in the valley of Giants. And David was then in a hold. And the soldiers of the Philistines were then in Bethlehem. And David longed and said, "Oh, that I had of the water that is in the well in the gate of Bethlehem for to drink." And anon the three mighty brake through the Host of the Philistines and fetched water out of the well of Bethlehem that was in the gate, and took and brought it to David: Nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but offered it unto the LORD and said, "The LORD forbid that I should do so! Should I drink the blood of men that were in jeopardy of their lives?" And so he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. Then Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah: he was a captain over the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and was named with the three. For he was nobler man than the three and was their captain. Howbeit he attained not unto those three in acts. Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the son of a lusty man valiant in acts of Kabzeel, he slew two lions of Moab. He went down and slew a lion in a pit in time of snow. And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man, which had a spear in his hand. And Benaiah went down to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and slew him with his own spear. Such things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and was the noblest of thirty: But not like to any of the three in facts of war. And David made him of his counsel. Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty. Then Elhanan, the son of Dodo of Bethlehem; Shammah the Harodite; Elika the Harodite; Helez the Paltite; Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; Abiezer of Anathoth; Mebunnai the Hushathite; Zalmon an Ahohite; Maharai the Netophathite; Heleb the son of Baanah an Netophathite; Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, a city of the children of Benjamin; Benaiah the Pirathonite; Hiddai of the river of Gaash; Abialbon the Arbathite; Azmaveth a Barhumite; Eliahba a Shaalbonite; Of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan; Shammah the Hararite; Ahiam the son of Sharar an Hararite; Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the son of a Maachathite; Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite; Hezro the Carmelite; Paarai the Arbite; Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah; Bani the Gadite; Zelec an Ammonite; Naharai a Beerothite, the Harness bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah; Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite; Uriah the Hittite: in all thirty and seven.
After him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite, which - when the Philistines were gathered together in Lehi, where was a parcel of land full of rice, and the people were fled for fear of the Philistines - stood in the midst of the said ground, and defended it and slew the Philistines. And the LORD gave him a great victory. And these three of the thirty of the lords went down and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave Adullam. And the Host of the Philistines had pitched in the valley of Giants. And David was then in a hold. And the soldiers of the Philistines were then in Bethlehem. And David longed and said, "Oh, that I had of the water that is in the well in the gate of Bethlehem for to drink." And anon the three mighty brake through the Host of the Philistines and fetched water out of the well of Bethlehem that was in the gate, and took and brought it to David: Nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but offered it unto the LORD and said, "The LORD forbid that I should do so! Should I drink the blood of men that were in jeopardy of their lives?" And so he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. Then Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah: he was a captain over the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and was named with the three. For he was nobler man than the three and was their captain. Howbeit he attained not unto those three in acts. Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the son of a lusty man valiant in acts of Kabzeel, he slew two lions of Moab. He went down and slew a lion in a pit in time of snow. And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man, which had a spear in his hand. And Benaiah went down to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and slew him with his own spear. Such things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and was the noblest of thirty: But not like to any of the three in facts of war. And David made him of his counsel. Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty. Then Elhanan, the son of Dodo of Bethlehem; Shammah the Harodite; Elika the Harodite; Helez the Paltite; Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; Abiezer of Anathoth; Mebunnai the Hushathite; Zalmon an Ahohite; Maharai the Netophathite; Heleb the son of Baanah an Netophathite; Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, a city of the children of Benjamin; Benaiah the Pirathonite; Hiddai of the river of Gaash; Abialbon the Arbathite; Azmaveth a Barhumite; Eliahba a Shaalbonite; Of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan; Shammah the Hararite; Ahiam the son of Sharar an Hararite; Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the son of a Maachathite; Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite; Hezro the Carmelite; Paarai the Arbite; Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah; Bani the Gadite; Zelec an Ammonite; Naharai a Beerothite, the Harness bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah; Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite; Uriah the Hittite: in all thirty and seven.
Then said David, "Whosoever smite the Jebusites first, shall be the principal captain and a lord." And Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was therefore the chief captain.
These are the principal men of power that clave to David in his kingdom with all Israel, to make him king upon Israel according to the word of the LORD. And this is the number of the mighty men which David had: Jashobeam the son of Hachmoni the chief of thirty - he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them at one time. And after him, Eleazar the son of Dodo an Ahohite which was one of the three mightiest. read more.
He was with David at Pasdammim where the Philistines were gathered to battle. And there was there a parcel of ground full of barley, and the people fled for fear of the Philistines. And they stepped forth into the midst of the furlong and saved it and slew the Philistines. And the LORD gave a great victory. And the three of the thirty chiefs went to a rock to David at the cave Adullam. And the Host of the Philistines had pitched in the valley of Rephaim. And David was in a hold. And there was a garrison of the Philistines at Bethlehem that same time. And David longed and said, "Oh that one would give me of the water of the well of Bethlehem that is in the gate, for to drink." And the three brake through the host of the Philistines and drew of the water of the well of Bethlehem that was in the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink of it, but offered it to the LORD, and said, "God forbid it me, that I should do this thing, that I should drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in Jeopardy." For with the Jeopardy of their lives they brought it, and therefore he would not drink it. This did the three mightiest. And Abishai the brother of Joab was captain of the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three. And he was much more nobler than any of the three, and was their captain. But was not like to any of the three in acts. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the son of a strong man that had done great deeds and was of Kabzeel: he slew two strong lions of Moab, and went down and slew a Lion in a pit in time of snow. And he slew an Egyptian which was a man of size, even five cubits long, and in his hand had a spear like a weaver's beam. And the other went to him with a waster and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his spear. Such things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name with the three mightiest, was the gloriousest of thirty: but attained not unto the three. And David made him of his secret counsel. And these were the best men of war of the Host: Asahel the brother of Joab and Elhanan the son of Dodo out of Bethlehem. Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite; Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite; Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite; Maharai the Netophathite and Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite; Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah that pertaineth to the children of Benjamin: Benaiah the Pirathonite; Haurai of the river of Gaash, and Abiel the Arbathite; Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite; the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee, an Hararite; Ahiam the son of Sachar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur; Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite; Hezro the Carmelite and Naarai the son of Ezbai; Joel the brother of Nathan: Mibhar the son of Hagri; Zelek an Ammonite and Naharai a Beerothite, the bearer of the Harness of Joab the son of Zeruiah; Ira the Ithrite and Gareb an Ithrite; Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai; Adina the son of Shiza, a Reubenite and a head among the Reubenites and thirty about him; Hanan the son of Maacah and Joshaphat a Mithnite; Uzziah an Ashterathite; Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hoham an Aroerite; Jediael the son of Shimri and Joha his brother, Tizites; Eliel a Mahavite, and Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam and Ithmah a Moabite; Eliel and Obed and Jaasiel of Metsobajah.
He was with David at Pasdammim where the Philistines were gathered to battle. And there was there a parcel of ground full of barley, and the people fled for fear of the Philistines. And they stepped forth into the midst of the furlong and saved it and slew the Philistines. And the LORD gave a great victory. And the three of the thirty chiefs went to a rock to David at the cave Adullam. And the Host of the Philistines had pitched in the valley of Rephaim. And David was in a hold. And there was a garrison of the Philistines at Bethlehem that same time. And David longed and said, "Oh that one would give me of the water of the well of Bethlehem that is in the gate, for to drink." And the three brake through the host of the Philistines and drew of the water of the well of Bethlehem that was in the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink of it, but offered it to the LORD, and said, "God forbid it me, that I should do this thing, that I should drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in Jeopardy." For with the Jeopardy of their lives they brought it, and therefore he would not drink it. This did the three mightiest. And Abishai the brother of Joab was captain of the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three. And he was much more nobler than any of the three, and was their captain. But was not like to any of the three in acts. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the son of a strong man that had done great deeds and was of Kabzeel: he slew two strong lions of Moab, and went down and slew a Lion in a pit in time of snow. And he slew an Egyptian which was a man of size, even five cubits long, and in his hand had a spear like a weaver's beam. And the other went to him with a waster and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his spear. Such things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name with the three mightiest, was the gloriousest of thirty: but attained not unto the three. And David made him of his secret counsel. And these were the best men of war of the Host: Asahel the brother of Joab and Elhanan the son of Dodo out of Bethlehem. Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite; Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite; Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite; Maharai the Netophathite and Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite; Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah that pertaineth to the children of Benjamin: Benaiah the Pirathonite; Haurai of the river of Gaash, and Abiel the Arbathite; Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite; the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee, an Hararite; Ahiam the son of Sachar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur; Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite; Hezro the Carmelite and Naarai the son of Ezbai; Joel the brother of Nathan: Mibhar the son of Hagri; Zelek an Ammonite and Naharai a Beerothite, the bearer of the Harness of Joab the son of Zeruiah; Ira the Ithrite and Gareb an Ithrite; Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai; Adina the son of Shiza, a Reubenite and a head among the Reubenites and thirty about him; Hanan the son of Maacah and Joshaphat a Mithnite; Uzziah an Ashterathite; Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hoham an Aroerite; Jediael the son of Shimri and Joha his brother, Tizites; Eliel a Mahavite, and Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam and Ithmah a Moabite; Eliel and Obed and Jaasiel of Metsobajah.
Armies » Were led by » Kings in person
The fourteenth year of king Hezekiah came Sennacherib king of Assyria against all the strong cities of Judah and took them.
Therefore, in the ninth year of his reign, the tenth day of the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon with all his power to Jerusalem: and pitched against the town and made engines against it on every side.
Armies » Devastation occasioned by
This people shall eat up thy fruit and thy meat; yea, they shall devour thy sons and thy daughters, thy sheep and thy bullocks. They shall eat up thy grapes and figs. As for thy strong and well-fenced cities, wherein thou didst trust, they shall destroy them with the sword.
Armies » Fear occasioned by
and the Moabites were sore afraid of the people, because they were many; and abhorred the children of Israel.
No man go forth into the field, no man come upon the high street: for the sword and fear of the enemy shall be on every side!"
Armies » Divided the spoil
The enemy said, 'I will follow and overtake them, and will divide the spoil: I will satisfy my lust upon them: I will draw my sword, and mine hand shall destroy them.'
Armies » Were composed of » Cavalry
And the Egyptians followed after them and overtook them where they pitched by the sea, with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh and with his horsemen and his host: even fast by the entering of Hiroth before Baalzephon.
they slew every one of them his man. And the Syrians fled, and Israel followed after them. And Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with his horsemen.
Armies » March in ranks » Escort duty performed by
Then the king sent unto him a captain over fifty with his fifty. And when the captain was come to Elijah, behold, he sat on the top of a hill. And the captain said unto him, "Man of God, the king biddeth thee come down."
And he called unto him two under captains, saying, "Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten. And spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night. And deliver them beasts that they may put Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the high deputy;
Then the soldiers as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left horsemen to go with him, and returned unto the castle. Which when they came to Caesarea, they delivered the epistle to the deputy, and presented Paul before him.
Armies » Called the » Wings of a nation
For thus sayeth the LORD: Behold, the enemy shall come flying as an Eagle, and spread his wings upon Moab.
And shall break in upon Judah, increasing in power, till he get him by the throat. He shall fill also the wideness of thy land with his broad wings, O Immanuel."
Armies » Encamped » Before cities
Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon gathered themselves together, both they and all their hosts and went up and besieged Gibeon, and made war against it.
Then Nahash the Ammonite came and besieged Jabesh in Gilead. And all the people of Jabesh said unto Nahash,
Armies » Marched » Often in open line
Their horses are swifter than the cats of the mountain, and bite sorer than the wolves in the evening. Their horsemen come by great heaps from far, they flee hastily to devour as the Eagle.
For lo, I will raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and swift people: which shall go as wide as the land is, to take possession of dwelling places that be not their own.
Armies » Ancient, often numerous
which came out, and all their hosts with them, a multitude of folk even as the sands of the sea in number with horses and chariots exceeding many.
Then the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen with other people like the sand by the seaside in multitude and came up and pitched in Michmash eastward from Bethaven.
Armies » Compared to » Grasshoppers
For when Israel had sown then came the Midianites, the Amalekites, and they of the east country upon them and pitched their tents against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth even unto Gaza, and left no sustenance in Israel; neither sheep, ox or ass, for they came with their cattle and households even as grasshoppers in multitude: so that both they and also their camels were without number. And they entered the land to destroy it.
And the Midianites, the Amalekites, and all they of the east, lay along in the valley, like unto grasshoppers in multitude, and their camels were without number, even as the sand by the seaside in multitude.
Armies » Were composed of » War-chariots
And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; He oppressed the children of Israel with power twenty years.
Then the children of Joseph said again, "The hill will not be gotten of us: for all the Cananites that dwell in the low country have chariots of iron, and so have they that inhabit Bethshean, and the towns of the same, and they also that dwell in the valley of Jezreel."
Armies » March in ranks » Ark taken to battle
And Joshua the son of Nun called unto the priests, and said unto them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD." And he said unto the people, "Go and compass the city: And let the men of arms go before the ark of the LORD."
and seven priests bare seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD, and as they went, blew with the horns. And the men of arms went before them, and the common people came after the ark of the LORD: and as they went, they blew with the horns.
And the people sent to Shiloh, and fetched from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts which dwelleth between the Cherubims. And there were the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas with the ark of the covenant of God. And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the host, all Israel shouted a mighty shout, so that the earth rang again. When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout they said, "What meaneth the sound of this mighty shout in the host of the Hebrews?" And they understood how that the ark of the LORD was come into the host. read more.
And the Philistines were afraid, when it was told how that God was come into the host and said, "Woe unto us, for it was never so before this. Woe unto us, who shall deliver us out of the hand of this mighty God? This is the God that smote the Egyptians with all manner of plagues in the wilderness. Be strong and quit yourselves like men, ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men therefore and fight." And the Philistines fought, and Israel was put to the worse and fled, every man into his tent. And there was a mighty great slaughter, so that there were overthrown of Israel, thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas were dead.
And the Philistines were afraid, when it was told how that God was come into the host and said, "Woe unto us, for it was never so before this. Woe unto us, who shall deliver us out of the hand of this mighty God? This is the God that smote the Egyptians with all manner of plagues in the wilderness. Be strong and quit yourselves like men, ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men therefore and fight." And the Philistines fought, and Israel was put to the worse and fled, every man into his tent. And there was a mighty great slaughter, so that there were overthrown of Israel, thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas were dead.
Armies » Called the » Hosts
Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon gathered themselves together, both they and all their hosts and went up and besieged Gibeon, and made war against it.
Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor and their hosts with them, upon a fifteen thousand, which were all that were left of all the hosts of them of the east. And they that were slain were a hundred and twenty thousand men that drew swords.
Armies » Who of the israelites were subject to service in
"Take ye the sum of all the multitude of the children of Israel, in their kindreds and households of their fathers and number them by name all that are males, poll by poll, from twenty years and above: even all that are able to go forth into war in Israel, thou and Aaron shall number them in their armies.
"Take the number of all the multitude of the children of Israel from twenty years and above throughout their fathers' houses, all that are able to go to war in Israel."
And Amaziah gathered Judah together and made captains over thousands and over hundreds in the houses of their fathers throughout all Judah and Benjamin. And he numbered them from twenty years and above, and found them three hundred thousand lusty men able to go to battle, and that could handle spear and shield.
Armies » Were composed of » Spearmen or heavy troops
And he called unto him two under captains, saying, "Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten. And spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night.
Reprove the beasts among the reeds, the heap of bulls with the calves, those that drive for money. O scatter thou the people that delight in war.
Armies » Marched » With order and precision
There is not one faint or feeble among them, no not a sluggish nor slippery person. There shall not one of them put off the girdle from his loins, nor loose the latchet of his shoe.
These shall run like giants, and leap over the walls like men of war. Every man in his going will keep his array, and not go out of his Path. There shall not one drive another, but each shall keep his own way. They shall break in at the windows, and not be hurt:
Armies » Generally in three divisions
In the mean season while he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The Chaldeans made three armies, and fell upon thy camels, which they have carried away: yea, and slain thy servants with the sword, and I only am gotten away, to tell thee."
And set himself and his servants in array, and fell upon them by night, and smote them, and chased them away unto Hobah, which lieth on the lefthand of Damascus,
Armies » March in ranks » Check roll-call
Then said Saul unto the people that was with him, "Number, and see who is gone away from us." And when they had told: behold, Jonathan and his harness bearer were not there.
And the officers of thousands of the host, the captains over the thousands and the captains over the hundreds came forth and said unto Moses, "Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war, which were under our hand, and there lacked not one man of them.
Armies » March in ranks » Battle shouts
And David rose up early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper, and took and went, as Jesse had commanded him, and came where the host lay. And the host was going out in array, and shouted in the battle:
And when I blow with a trumpet, and all that are with me, blow ye with trumpets also on every side the host and say, 'Here be the LORD and Gideon.'"
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose and shouted and followed after the Philistines, until they came to the valley and unto the gates of Ekron. And the Philistines fell down dead by the way, even unto Gath and Ekron.
Armies » March in ranks » Night attacks
And set himself and his servants in array, and fell upon them by night, and smote them, and chased them away unto Hobah, which lieth on the lefthand of Damascus,
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and gave every man a trumpet in his hand, with an empty pitcher and lamps therein, and said unto them, "Look on me and do likewise: and behold, when I come to the side of the host, even as I do, so do you. And when I blow with a trumpet, and all that are with me, blow ye with trumpets also on every side the host and say, 'Here be the LORD and Gideon.'" read more.
And so Gideon, and the three hundred men that were with him, came unto the side of the host in the beginning of the middle watch, and raised up the watchmen. And they blew with their trumpets and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. And all three companies blew with trumpets and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right, to blow with all. And they cried, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!" And they stood still, every man in his place round about the host. And all the host ran and cried and fled. And as the three hundred blew with trumpets, the LORD set every man's sword upon his neighbour, throughout all the host. And the host fled until they came to Bethshittah, to Zererah, and to the edge of Abelmeholah beside Tabbath.
And so Gideon, and the three hundred men that were with him, came unto the side of the host in the beginning of the middle watch, and raised up the watchmen. And they blew with their trumpets and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. And all three companies blew with trumpets and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right, to blow with all. And they cried, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!" And they stood still, every man in his place round about the host. And all the host ran and cried and fled. And as the three hundred blew with trumpets, the LORD set every man's sword upon his neighbour, throughout all the host. And the host fled until they came to Bethshittah, to Zererah, and to the edge of Abelmeholah beside Tabbath.
Armies » March in ranks » The king offers his daughter
And every man of Israel said, "See ye this man that is come forth; even to revile Israel is he come. And to him that beateth him will the king give great riches, and will give him his daughter thereto: yea and make his father's house free in Israel."
Then said Saul to David, "Behold, my eldest daughter Merab: her I will give thee to wife; only play the man and fight the LORD's battles." For Saul thought, "Mine hand shall not be upon him, but the hand of the Philistines." And David answered Saul, "What am I? And what is my life or the kindred of my father in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?" Howbeit, when the time was come that Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David she was given unto Adriel, a Meholathite, to wife. read more.
Nevertheless, Michal Saul's daughter loved David. And when it was showed Saul, the thing pleased him well. And he said, "I will give him her that she may be a snare to him, to bring the hand of the Philistines upon him." And Saul said to David, "Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law again." And Saul commanded his servants to commune with David secretly and say, "Behold, the king hath a favour to thee, and all his servants love thee - be therefore the king's son-in-law." And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. But David answered, "Seemeth it to you a light thing to be the king's son-in-law, when I am a poor man and of small reputation?" And Saul's servants told him again, saying, "Of this manner answered David." Then said Saul, "This wise say to David: 'The king careth for no other dowry but for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies." For Saul thought to make David fall into the hands of the Philistines. Then his servants told David these words, and it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law. And shortly after that, David arose with his men, and went, and slew of the Philistines, two hundred men; and brought their foreskins, and satisfied the king thereof to be his son-in-law. And so Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. And when Saul saw and understood, how that the LORD was with David, and that Michal his daughter loved him,
Nevertheless, Michal Saul's daughter loved David. And when it was showed Saul, the thing pleased him well. And he said, "I will give him her that she may be a snare to him, to bring the hand of the Philistines upon him." And Saul said to David, "Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law again." And Saul commanded his servants to commune with David secretly and say, "Behold, the king hath a favour to thee, and all his servants love thee - be therefore the king's son-in-law." And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. But David answered, "Seemeth it to you a light thing to be the king's son-in-law, when I am a poor man and of small reputation?" And Saul's servants told him again, saying, "Of this manner answered David." Then said Saul, "This wise say to David: 'The king careth for no other dowry but for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies." For Saul thought to make David fall into the hands of the Philistines. Then his servants told David these words, and it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law. And shortly after that, David arose with his men, and went, and slew of the Philistines, two hundred men; and brought their foreskins, and satisfied the king thereof to be his son-in-law. And so Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. And when Saul saw and understood, how that the LORD was with David, and that Michal his daughter loved him,
Armies » March in ranks » Uniforms of
which had to do with her: even the princes and lords, that were decked in costly array: fair young men, lusty riders of horses.
she loved the Assyrians, which also lay with her: namely, the princes and great lords, that were clothed with all manner of gorgeous apparel, all lusty horsemen and fair young persons.
The shield of his giants glistereth, his men of war are clothed in purple. His chariots are as fire when he maketh him forward, his archers are well decked and trimmed.
Armies » Refusal to obey the summons, instance of
And the children of Israel asked, "Who are they among all the tribes of Israel that came not with the congregation unto the LORD?" For they had made a great oath concerning them that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying that they should surely die. And the children of Israel had pity on Benjamin their brethren, and said, "There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day: what shall we do unto the remnant of them, for to get them wives, forasmuch as we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?" read more.
Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men."
Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men."
Armies » March in ranks » Unusual winter campaign
And it came to pass in the beginning of a new year, in the times when kings are wont to go forth to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel. And they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
And the year following about the time that kings go out a warfare, Joab carried out the army of the host and destroyed the country of the children of Ammon, and went and besieged Rabbah and destroyed it: But David bode at Jerusalem while Joab smote Rabbah and destroyed it.
Armies » March in ranks » engines" used
And he made engines in Jerusalem by the craft of artificers to be on the towers and corners, to shoot arrows and great stones with all. And his name spread far abroad, for he was wonderfully helped, until he was become mighty.
For thus hath the LORD of Hosts commanded: "Hew down her trees, and set up bulwarks against Jerusalem. This is the city that must be punished, for in her is all maliciousness.
Armies » March in ranks » Margin note)
And of Zebulun that went out with the Host and proceeded in the array to battle with all manner of weapons of war, fifty thousand that kept in order with one accord.
These shall run like giants, and leap over the walls like men of war. Every man in his going will keep his array, and not go out of his Path.
Armies » Brought their idols with them
Armies » March in ranks » Soldiers destroy each other to escape captivity
And Saul cried, and all the people that were with him, and went to battle. And behold every man's sword was against his fellow, with a mighty great slaughter.
Then said Saul unto his harness bearer, "Draw out thy sword and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come thrust me through and make a mockingstock of me." But his harness bearer would not, for he was sore afraid. Wherefore Saul took a sword and fell upon it. And when his harness bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword and died with him. And so Saul died and his three sons and his harness bearer, and thereto all his men, that same day together.
Armies » Called the » Power of kings
After that Sennacherib king of Assyria sent of his servants to Jerusalem - he himself lying before Lachish, and all his kingdom with him - unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
Armies » Levies for
Ye shall send unto the war a thousand of every tribe throughout all the tribes of Israel."
And we will take ten men of the hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of the thousand, and a thousand out of the ten thousand, to fetch victuals for the people to make that they may go against Gibeah Benjamin, according to all the folly, that they have wrought in Israel."
Armies » March in ranks » Triumphs of, celebrated » With songs
And it happened as they went, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that women came out of all cities of Israel singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with fiddles. And the women that played sang thereto, and said, "Saul hath slain his thousand, and David his ten thousand."
Armies » Captains of fifties
Then the king sent unto him a captain over fifty with his fifty. And when the captain was come to Elijah, behold, he sat on the top of a hill. And the captain said unto him, "Man of God, the king biddeth thee come down."
the captain of fifty and the honorable, the senators and men of understanding, the masters of crafts and orators.
Armies » Compared to » Clouds
Thou shalt come up like a stormy weather to cover the land, and as it were a dark cloud: thou with all thine hosts, and a great multitude of people with thee. Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD God: At the same time shall many things come into thy mind, so that thou shalt imagine mischief, and say, 'I will up to yonder plain land, seeing they sit at ease, and dwell so safely - for they dwell all without any walls, they have neither bars nor doors - read more.
to spoil them, to rob them, to lay hand upon their so well inhabited wildernesses: against that people, that is gathered together from among the Heathen, which have gotten cattle and good, and dwell in the midst of the land.' Then shall Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish with all their worthies, say unto thee, 'Art thou come to rob? Hast thou gathered thy people together, because thou wilt spoil? To take silver and gold; to carry away cattle and goods; and to have a great prey?' "Therefore, O thou son of man, thou shalt prophesy, and say unto Gog, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: In that day thou shalt know, that my people of Israel dwelleth safe: and shalt come from thy place out of the north parts: thou and much people with thee, which ride upon horses, whereof there is a great multitude and an innumerable sortie. Yea, thou shalt come upon my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land. This shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring thee up into my land, that the Heathen may know me, when I get me honour upon thee; O Gog, before their eyes.
to spoil them, to rob them, to lay hand upon their so well inhabited wildernesses: against that people, that is gathered together from among the Heathen, which have gotten cattle and good, and dwell in the midst of the land.' Then shall Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish with all their worthies, say unto thee, 'Art thou come to rob? Hast thou gathered thy people together, because thou wilt spoil? To take silver and gold; to carry away cattle and goods; and to have a great prey?' "Therefore, O thou son of man, thou shalt prophesy, and say unto Gog, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: In that day thou shalt know, that my people of Israel dwelleth safe: and shalt come from thy place out of the north parts: thou and much people with thee, which ride upon horses, whereof there is a great multitude and an innumerable sortie. Yea, thou shalt come upon my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land. This shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring thee up into my land, that the Heathen may know me, when I get me honour upon thee; O Gog, before their eyes.
Armies » Marched » With noise and tumult
Woe be to the multitude of much people, which shall make a sound like the noise of the sea; and the violence of the nations which shall rage like the rushing in of many waters. Even like many waters shall the people rage: God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and vanish away like the dust with the wind upon a hill, and as the whirlwind through a storm.
Armies » March in ranks » Confidence in, vain
There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of a host; neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.
For I will not trust in my bow; it is not my sword that shall help me.
Armies » March in ranks » Of samaria
After this, Benhadad king of Syria gathered all the Host, and went and besieged Samaria. And there arose great dearth in Samaria: for they had besieged it, until an ass's head was worth four score sicles of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of doves' dung worth five sicles. And as the king of Israel walked upon the walls, there cried a woman to him, saying, "Help, my lord king." read more.
And he said, "Nay, the LORD help thee. But wherewith should I help thee, with corn or wine?" Then said the king to her, "What aileth thee?" And she answered, "This woman here said to me, 'Bring thy son and let us eat him today, and we will eat mine tomorrow.' And so we dressed my son and did eat him. And I said to her another day, 'Bring thy son that we may eat him.' But she hath hid her son." When the king heard the words of the woman, he rent his clothes even as he was walking on the walls. And when the people looked upon him: see, he was clothed in sack under. Then he said, "God do so and so to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat tarry on him this day!" And as Elisha sat in his house and the elders with him, the king sent one from him. But yer the messenger came at him, he said to the elders, "See you not how the son of this murderer hath sent, to take off mine head? Be circumspect therefore when the messenger cometh, and shut the door, and thrust him back therewith: for the sound of his master's feet followeth him." And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger was come unto him. And he said, "Behold, this evil is of the LORD! What more shall we look for of the LORD?"
And he said, "Nay, the LORD help thee. But wherewith should I help thee, with corn or wine?" Then said the king to her, "What aileth thee?" And she answered, "This woman here said to me, 'Bring thy son and let us eat him today, and we will eat mine tomorrow.' And so we dressed my son and did eat him. And I said to her another day, 'Bring thy son that we may eat him.' But she hath hid her son." When the king heard the words of the woman, he rent his clothes even as he was walking on the walls. And when the people looked upon him: see, he was clothed in sack under. Then he said, "God do so and so to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat tarry on him this day!" And as Elisha sat in his house and the elders with him, the king sent one from him. But yer the messenger came at him, he said to the elders, "See you not how the son of this murderer hath sent, to take off mine head? Be circumspect therefore when the messenger cometh, and shut the door, and thrust him back therewith: for the sound of his master's feet followeth him." And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger was come unto him. And he said, "Behold, this evil is of the LORD! What more shall we look for of the LORD?"
Armies » Compared to » Whirlwinds
For thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: Behold, a miserable plague shall go from one people to another, and a great stormy water shall arise from all the ends of the earth.
Armies » Compared to » Flies
For at the same time shall the LORD whistle for the flies that are about the water of Egypt, and for the bees in the Assyrian land. These shall come, and shall light all in the valleys, and in the vaults of stone, upon all green things, and in all corners.
Armies » Antiquity of
And it chanced within a while, that Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of the nations: made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, and with Shinab king of Admah, and with Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and with the king of Bela - which Bela is called Zoar. All these came together unto the vale of Siddim, which is now the salt sea. read more.
Twelve years were they subject to king Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year rebelled. Therefore in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, and smote the Giants in Ashteroth-Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, and the Horites in their own mount Seir unto the plain of Elparan, which bordereth upon the wilderness. And then turned they and came to the well of judgment which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites that dwell in Hazezon-Tamar. Then went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, now called Zoar. And set their men in array to fight with them in the vale of Siddim, that is to say,
Twelve years were they subject to king Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year rebelled. Therefore in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, and smote the Giants in Ashteroth-Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, and the Horites in their own mount Seir unto the plain of Elparan, which bordereth upon the wilderness. And then turned they and came to the well of judgment which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites that dwell in Hazezon-Tamar. Then went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, now called Zoar. And set their men in array to fight with them in the vale of Siddim, that is to say,
Armies » March in ranks » Divided into "bands" (rv margin, cohorts,)
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a captain of the soldiers of Italy,
When it was concluded that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, an under-captain of Caesar's soldiers.
Armies » March in ranks » Jehoshaphat's victories
Armies » March in ranks » Divine assistance to » Samaria's deliverances
Armies » Began their campaigns in the spring
And it came to pass in the beginning of a new year, in the times when kings are wont to go forth to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel. And they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Armies » Toil and fatigue often endured by
"O thou son of man, Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon hath made his host, with great travail and labour to come before Tyre: that every head may be bald, and every shoulder bare. Yet hath Tyre given neither him nor his host any reward, for the great travail that he hath taken there.
Armies » March in ranks » Rewards for meritorious conduct » The general offers his daughter in marriage
And Caleb said, "He that smiteth Kiriathsepher and taketh it: to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel, the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb took it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
Armies » March in ranks » Among the philistines
And there was a fear in the host that was in the field, and among all the people: insomuch that they that kept the hold, and they that were gone to rob, were afraid also: and the earth trembled and there was a fear sent of God. And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin saw. And behold, the people scattered and ran hither and thither. Then said Saul unto the people that was with him, "Number, and see who is gone away from us." And when they had told: behold, Jonathan and his harness bearer were not there. read more.
And then Saul said unto Ahijah, "Bring hither the ark of God." For the ark of God was at the time with the children of Israel. And while Saul talked unto the priest, the people that were in the host of the Philistines ran more and more. And Saul said unto the priest, "Withdraw thine hand."
And then Saul said unto Ahijah, "Bring hither the ark of God." For the ark of God was at the time with the children of Israel. And while Saul talked unto the priest, the people that were in the host of the Philistines ran more and more. And Saul said unto the priest, "Withdraw thine hand."
Armies » March in ranks » Army choir and songs
And he gave the people counsel, and set the singers of the LORD and them that praised in holy apparel, to go out before the army and to say, "Praise the LORD for his mercy lasteth ever." And what time they began to laud and praise, then the LORD set layers await against the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir,
Armies » March in ranks » Divine assistance to » Sun stands still
And as they fled from Israel, even in the going down to Bethhoron, the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them, until they came unto Azekah, that they died. And there were more that died with hailstones, than the children of Israel slew with the sword. Then spake Joshua unto the LORD, the day when the LORD delivered the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of all Israel, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon." And the sun abode, and the moon stood still, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of the righteous, how that the sun abode in the midst of heaven and hasted not to go down by the space of a whole day? read more.
And there was no day like that, before it, or after it, that the LORD obeyed the voice of a man: and all because the LORD fought for Israel.
And there was no day like that, before it, or after it, that the LORD obeyed the voice of a man: and all because the LORD fought for Israel.
Armies » March in ranks » Sacrifices
And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people scattered from me, and yet thou camest not within the days appointed - and that the Philistines gathered themselves together to Michmash - then said I, 'The Philistines shall come down upon me to Gilgal, before I have made supplication unto the LORD.' And therefore I took a courage with me and offered burnt offerings."
Armies » Employed in » Assaulting cities
and returned unto Joshua and said unto him, "Let not all the people go up, but let as it were a two or three thousand men go up and destroy Ai, and make not all the people to labour thither, for they are but few." And so there went up thither about a three thousand men, which fled before the men of Ai.
Armies » March in ranks » David's attack upon the philistines
And David asked the LORD, and he said, "Go not. But compass them on the back side and come down upon them from the pear trees. And when thou hearest the noise of a thing going in the tops of the pear trees, then move. For then the LORD is gone out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines." And David did as the LORD commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Gibeah to Gezer.
Armies » March in ranks » Celerity of action » Abraham, in pursuit of chedorlaomer
When Abram heard that his brother was taken, he harnessed his servants born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and followed till they came at Dan. And set himself and his servants in array, and fell upon them by night, and smote them, and chased them away unto Hobah, which lieth on the lefthand of Damascus,
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at gibeah
And Israel set layers await against Gibeah round about. And the children of Israel went against the children of Benjamin the third time, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as twice before. Then came the children of Benjamin against the people, till they were drawn a great way from the city. And they began to smite of the people dead - as twice before, by two highways of which one goeth up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah through the field - upon a thirty men of Israel. read more.
For the children of Benjamin thought that the other had been beaten before them, as at the first time. But the children of Israel said, "Let us flee and pluck them away from the city, unto the highways." And then all the men of Israel rose up out of their standing, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar. And likewise the layers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah, and came before Gibeah: ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and there was sore battle. But the other knew not that evil was so nigh them. And the LORD plagued Benjamin before Israel, so that the children of Israel destroyed in Benjamin the same day twenty five thousand and a hundred men, that drew swords every one of them. It seemed the children of Benjamin, that the other had been put to the worse. For the men of Israel gave room to Benjamin, because they trusted unto the layers in wait which they had laid against Gibeah. And the layers in wait hasted and ran upon Gibeah, and went and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. And the appointment of the men of Israel with the layers in wait to run upon Benjamin with the sword, was when they should make the smoke rise up out of the city. And the men of Israel fled in the battle. And Benjamin began to smite dead of the children of Israel, about a thirty persons, for they supposed that the other had been put to the worse before them, as in the first battle. Then began to arise out of the city, a pillar of smoke. And the Benjamites looked back: and behold, the wasting of the whole city began to ascend up to heaven. When the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were abashed: for they saw that evil approached them. And they turned before the men of Israel into the way that leadeth to the wilderness, the other following them at the hard heels. And beside that they of the city destroyed them in the middle of them. And they compassed Benjamin about, and chased them to Menuah, and overran them before Gibeah on the east side.
For the children of Benjamin thought that the other had been beaten before them, as at the first time. But the children of Israel said, "Let us flee and pluck them away from the city, unto the highways." And then all the men of Israel rose up out of their standing, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar. And likewise the layers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah, and came before Gibeah: ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and there was sore battle. But the other knew not that evil was so nigh them. And the LORD plagued Benjamin before Israel, so that the children of Israel destroyed in Benjamin the same day twenty five thousand and a hundred men, that drew swords every one of them. It seemed the children of Benjamin, that the other had been put to the worse. For the men of Israel gave room to Benjamin, because they trusted unto the layers in wait which they had laid against Gibeah. And the layers in wait hasted and ran upon Gibeah, and went and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. And the appointment of the men of Israel with the layers in wait to run upon Benjamin with the sword, was when they should make the smoke rise up out of the city. And the men of Israel fled in the battle. And Benjamin began to smite dead of the children of Israel, about a thirty persons, for they supposed that the other had been put to the worse before them, as in the first battle. Then began to arise out of the city, a pillar of smoke. And the Benjamites looked back: and behold, the wasting of the whole city began to ascend up to heaven. When the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were abashed: for they saw that evil approached them. And they turned before the men of Israel into the way that leadeth to the wilderness, the other following them at the hard heels. And beside that they of the city destroyed them in the middle of them. And they compassed Benjamin about, and chased them to Menuah, and overran them before Gibeah on the east side.
Armies » March in ranks » A share the spoils
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of the women and of cattle: thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the ancient heads of the congregation. And divide it into two parts, between them that took the war upon them and went out to battle and all the congregation. read more.
And take a portion unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle, one of five hundred of the women and of the oxen and of the asses and of the sheep; and ye shall take it of their half and give it unto Eleazar the priest, a heave offering unto the LORD. And of the half of the children of Israel, take one of fifty of the women, of the oxen, of the asses and of the sheep, and of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites which wait upon the habitation of the LORD." And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. And the booty, and the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy five thousand sheep; and seventy two thousand oxen; and sixty one thousand asses; and thirty two thousand women that had lain by no man. And the half which was the part of them that went out to war was: three hundred thousand and thirty seven thousand and five hundred sheep, and the LORD's part of the sheep was six hundred and seventy five. And the oxen were thirty six thousand, of which the LORD's part was seventy two. And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred, of which the LORD's part was sixty one. And the women were sixteen thousand, of which the LORD's part was thirty two souls. And Moses gave that sum which was the LORD's heave offering unto Eleazar the priest: as the LORD commanded Moses. And the other half of the children of Israel which Moses separated from the men of war - that is, to wit, the half that pertained unto the congregation - was three hundred thousand and thirty seven thousand and five hundred sheep; and thirty six thousand oxen; and thirty thousand asses and five hundred; and sixteen thousand women. And Moses took of this half that pertained unto the children of Israel: one of every fifty, both of the women and of the cattle, and gave them unto the Levites which waited upon the habitation of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And take a portion unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle, one of five hundred of the women and of the oxen and of the asses and of the sheep; and ye shall take it of their half and give it unto Eleazar the priest, a heave offering unto the LORD. And of the half of the children of Israel, take one of fifty of the women, of the oxen, of the asses and of the sheep, and of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites which wait upon the habitation of the LORD." And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. And the booty, and the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy five thousand sheep; and seventy two thousand oxen; and sixty one thousand asses; and thirty two thousand women that had lain by no man. And the half which was the part of them that went out to war was: three hundred thousand and thirty seven thousand and five hundred sheep, and the LORD's part of the sheep was six hundred and seventy five. And the oxen were thirty six thousand, of which the LORD's part was seventy two. And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred, of which the LORD's part was sixty one. And the women were sixteen thousand, of which the LORD's part was thirty two souls. And Moses gave that sum which was the LORD's heave offering unto Eleazar the priest: as the LORD commanded Moses. And the other half of the children of Israel which Moses separated from the men of war - that is, to wit, the half that pertained unto the congregation - was three hundred thousand and thirty seven thousand and five hundred sheep; and thirty six thousand oxen; and thirty thousand asses and five hundred; and sixteen thousand women. And Moses took of this half that pertained unto the children of Israel: one of every fifty, both of the women and of the cattle, and gave them unto the Levites which waited upon the habitation of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Armies » March in ranks » Forced marches
And he shall give a token unto a strange people, and call unto them in a far country: and behold, they shall come hastily with speed. There is not one faint or feeble among them, no not a sluggish nor slippery person. There shall not one of them put off the girdle from his loins, nor loose the latchet of his shoe.
Armies » March in ranks » Purifications
And lodge without the host seven days, all that have killed any person and all that have touched any dead body, and purify both yourselves and your prisoners; the third day and the seventh. And sprinkle all your raiments and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood." And Eleazar the priest said unto all the men of war which went out to battle, "This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses: read more.
Gold, silver, brass, iron, tin and lead, and all that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and then it is clean. Neverthelater, it shall be sprinkled with sprinkling water. And all that suffereth not the fire, ye shall make go through the water. And wash your clothes the seventh day, and then ye are clean. And afterward come into the host."
Gold, silver, brass, iron, tin and lead, and all that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and then it is clean. Neverthelater, it shall be sprinkled with sprinkling water. And all that suffereth not the fire, ye shall make go through the water. And wash your clothes the seventh day, and then ye are clean. And afterward come into the host."
Armies » March in ranks » Delay
Then said Hushai to Absalom, "The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. For," said Hushai, "thou knowest thy father and the men that are with him, how that they be strong men. And they be chafed in their minds, even as a bear robbed of her whelps. And thy father is a man practiced in war, and will not lie a nights among the common people. Behold, he lurketh now in some cave or in some other place. And thereto, though some of his men be overthrown at the first brunt, yet they that hear it will think the people that followeth Absalom be put to the worse. read more.
By the reason whereof, the best men thou hast whose hearts are as the hearts of lions, shall shrink thereat. For all Israel knoweth that thy father is a man, and that they which be with him be children of activity. But my counsel is, that all Israel be gathered unto thee, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand of the sea in number, and that thou go to battle in thine own person. And we will come upon him in one place or other, where we shalt find him, and we will pitch a field against him, even as thick as the dew falleth on the ground. And there shall not one of them be left, neither he nor any of all that are with him. Moreover, if he take a town then shall all the men of Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one stone found upon another." And Absalom and all the men of Israel said that the counsel of Hushai the Archite was better than the counsel of Ahithophel - For it was even the LORD's determination to destroy the counsel of Ahithophel, which was good, that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
By the reason whereof, the best men thou hast whose hearts are as the hearts of lions, shall shrink thereat. For all Israel knoweth that thy father is a man, and that they which be with him be children of activity. But my counsel is, that all Israel be gathered unto thee, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand of the sea in number, and that thou go to battle in thine own person. And we will come upon him in one place or other, where we shalt find him, and we will pitch a field against him, even as thick as the dew falleth on the ground. And there shall not one of them be left, neither he nor any of all that are with him. Moreover, if he take a town then shall all the men of Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one stone found upon another." And Absalom and all the men of Israel said that the counsel of Hushai the Archite was better than the counsel of Ahithophel - For it was even the LORD's determination to destroy the counsel of Ahithophel, which was good, that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
Armies » March in ranks » Divine assistance to » When aaron and hur held up moses' hands
And when Moses held up his hand, Israel had the better. And when he let his hand down, Amalek had the better. When Moses' hands were weary, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down thereon. And Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side. And his hands were steady until the sun was down.
Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Captains (rv margin, military tribunes) of
the captain bade him to be brought into the castle: and commanded him to be scourged, and to be examined, that he might know wherefore they cried on him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?" When the centurion heard that, he went to the upper-captain, and told him saying, "What intendest thou to do? This man is a citizen of Rome." read more.
Then the upper-captain came to him, and said, "Tell me, art thou a Roman?" He said, "Yea." And the high captain answered, "With a great sum obtained I this freedom." And Paul said, "I was freeborn." Then straightway departed from him they which should have examined him. And the high captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman: because he had bound him.
Then the upper-captain came to him, and said, "Tell me, art thou a Roman?" He said, "Yea." And the high captain answered, "With a great sum obtained I this freedom." And Paul said, "I was freeborn." Then straightway departed from him they which should have examined him. And the high captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman: because he had bound him.
Armies » Frequently the instrument of God's vengeance
They come not only out of far countries, but also from the ends of the heavens: Even the LORD himself with the ministers of his wrath, to destroy the whole land.
Armies » Sent out foraging parties
And there had gone a company of soldiers out of Syria a running, and had brought out of the country of Israel a little maid, which was with Naaman's wife.
Armies » March in ranks » Joshua, against the amorites
But the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua unto the host to Gilgal, saying, "Withdraw not thy hands from thy servants, but come up to us: for all the kings of the Amorites which dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us."
Armies » March in ranks » Composed of insurgents
And David departed thence and escaped, and came unto the cave of Adullam. When his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went thither to him. And there gathered unto him all men that were in cumbrance and in debt and troubled in their hearts, and he became a captain over them. And there were with him upon a four hundred men.
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at shechem
And the citizens of Shechem set men to lay await for him in the top of the mountains, which men robbed all that came along the way by them. And it was told Abimelech.
And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night. And they laid await to the city in four companies.
Armies » March in ranks » Among the syrians
And upon that they arose and fled in the dark, and left their tents, their horses, their asses and the field they had pitched even as it was, and fled for their lives. And when these lepers came to the edge of the Host, they went into a tent and did eat and drink and carried thence silver, gold and raiment, and went and hid it: and came again and entered into another, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. Then they said one to another, "It is not well that we do, for this day is a day to bring tidings. And if we hold our peace, and tarry till it be daylight, we shall find a mischief. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household." read more.
And so they went and called to the porter of the city and told them saying, "We came to the pavilions of the Syrians: and see, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses and asses tied, and the tents even as they were." Then the porters called and told the kings house within. And the king arose in the night and said to his servants, "I will show you, how the Syrians have served us. They know that we are oppressed with hunger, and therefore are gone out of their pavilions to hide themselves in the field, saying, 'They will come out of the city, and then we shall catch them alive and get into the city.' And one of his servants answered and said, 'Let men take five of the horses that remain and are left in the city. Behold, they are as good as all the multitude that are left in the city: and as good as all the multitude of the city that are consumed, and let us send and see." And they took two chariots of horses, and the king sent after the Host of the Syrians, saying, "Go and see." And they followed after them even unto Jordan: and see, all the way was full of clothes and vessels which the Syrians had cast from them for haste. And the messengers returned and told the king.
And so they went and called to the porter of the city and told them saying, "We came to the pavilions of the Syrians: and see, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses and asses tied, and the tents even as they were." Then the porters called and told the kings house within. And the king arose in the night and said to his servants, "I will show you, how the Syrians have served us. They know that we are oppressed with hunger, and therefore are gone out of their pavilions to hide themselves in the field, saying, 'They will come out of the city, and then we shall catch them alive and get into the city.' And one of his servants answered and said, 'Let men take five of the horses that remain and are left in the city. Behold, they are as good as all the multitude that are left in the city: and as good as all the multitude of the city that are consumed, and let us send and see." And they took two chariots of horses, and the king sent after the Host of the Syrians, saying, "Go and see." And they followed after them even unto Jordan: and see, all the way was full of clothes and vessels which the Syrians had cast from them for haste. And the messengers returned and told the king.
Armies » March in ranks » With dancing
And it happened as they went, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that women came out of all cities of Israel singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with fiddles. And the women that played sang thereto, and said, "Saul hath slain his thousand, and David his ten thousand."
Armies » March in ranks » Of beth-el
and the house of Joseph searched out Bethel which before time was called Luz. And the spies saw a man come out of the city and they said unto him, "Show us the way into the city, and we will show thee mercy."
Armies » March in ranks » Stratagems » Ambushes, at ai
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king, as thou didst unto Jericho and her king. Nevertheless the spoil and cattle thereof, ye shall take unto yourselves. But lay a watch unto the town on the backside thereof." And then Joshua arose and all the men of war, to go up unto Ai. And Joshua chose out thirty thousand men of war, and sent them by night. And he commanded them, saying, "See that ye lie await unto the town on the backside thereof. Go not very far from the city, and see that ye be all ready. read more.
And I and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city. And when they come out against us, as at the first time, then will we flee before them. And they will come out after us, until we have plucked them away from the city. For they will say, 'They flee before us, as at the first time': for we will flee before them. Then shall ye rise up from lying await and destroy the city: For the LORD your God will deliver it into your hands. As soon, therefore, as ye have taken the city, see that ye set it on fire. According to the commandment of the LORD see that ye do: behold, I have charged you." And Joshua sent them forth, and they went to lie await, and lay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. But Joshua lodged that night among the people. And he rose up early in the morning and numbered the people and went up, both he and the elders of Israel before the people, unto Ai. And all the men of war that were with him, went up and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai, a valley being between them and Ai, and he took upon a five thousand men and put them to lie await, between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. And he put the people, even all the host, on the north side of the city, and the lyers-await on the west. And Joshua went the same night into the midst of the valley. And when the king of Ai saw that they hasted and rose up early, then the people of the city went out against Israel, to battle, both the king and all his people, at a time appointed, even before the plain, and wist not that there were lyers-await on the backside of the city. And Joshua and Israel were put to the worse before them, and fled toward the wilderness. And all the people of the town cried to follow after them. And they followed after Joshua till they were drawn away from the city: So that there was not a man left in Ai, or in Bethel, that went not out after Israel. And they left the city open and followed after Israel. Then the LORD said unto Joshua, "Stretch out the spear that is in thine hand toward Ai, for I have given thee it." And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand, toward the city. And the lyers-await rose quickly out of their places, and ran, as soon as Joshua had stretched out his hand, and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set it on fire. And when the men of Ai looked back after them and saw, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. And they had no place to flee either this way or that, for the people that fled to the wilderness turned back again upon the followers. And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the lyers-await had taken the city and that the smoke of it ascended, they turned again and laid on the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them. And so were they in the midst of Israel, these being on the one side of them, and the rest on the other. And they laid upon them, so that they let none either remain or escape.
And I and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city. And when they come out against us, as at the first time, then will we flee before them. And they will come out after us, until we have plucked them away from the city. For they will say, 'They flee before us, as at the first time': for we will flee before them. Then shall ye rise up from lying await and destroy the city: For the LORD your God will deliver it into your hands. As soon, therefore, as ye have taken the city, see that ye set it on fire. According to the commandment of the LORD see that ye do: behold, I have charged you." And Joshua sent them forth, and they went to lie await, and lay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. But Joshua lodged that night among the people. And he rose up early in the morning and numbered the people and went up, both he and the elders of Israel before the people, unto Ai. And all the men of war that were with him, went up and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai, a valley being between them and Ai, and he took upon a five thousand men and put them to lie await, between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. And he put the people, even all the host, on the north side of the city, and the lyers-await on the west. And Joshua went the same night into the midst of the valley. And when the king of Ai saw that they hasted and rose up early, then the people of the city went out against Israel, to battle, both the king and all his people, at a time appointed, even before the plain, and wist not that there were lyers-await on the backside of the city. And Joshua and Israel were put to the worse before them, and fled toward the wilderness. And all the people of the town cried to follow after them. And they followed after Joshua till they were drawn away from the city: So that there was not a man left in Ai, or in Bethel, that went not out after Israel. And they left the city open and followed after Israel. Then the LORD said unto Joshua, "Stretch out the spear that is in thine hand toward Ai, for I have given thee it." And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand, toward the city. And the lyers-await rose quickly out of their places, and ran, as soon as Joshua had stretched out his hand, and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set it on fire. And when the men of Ai looked back after them and saw, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. And they had no place to flee either this way or that, for the people that fled to the wilderness turned back again upon the followers. And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the lyers-await had taken the city and that the smoke of it ascended, they turned again and laid on the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them. And so were they in the midst of Israel, these being on the one side of them, and the rest on the other. And they laid upon them, so that they let none either remain or escape.
Armies » March in ranks » Of laish
And the children of Dan sent of their kindreds five men of activity, out of their coasts, even out of Zorah and Eshtaol, to view the land and search it out, and said unto them, "Go and search out the land." And they came to mount Ephraim, even to the house of Micah and lodged there. And when they were come unto the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite, and turned in thither, and said unto him, "Who brought thee hither? And what makest thou in this place? And what hast thou here?" And he said unto them, "Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me and hath hired me to be his priest." read more.
And they said unto him, "Ask of God, I pray thee, that we may know whether the way which we go, shall be prosperous or no." And the priest said unto them, "Go in peace, for the way which ye go is before the LORD." Then the five men departed and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, and after the manner of the Sidonians: still, and without casting of perils, and that no man made any trouble in the land or usurped any dominion, and how they were far from the Sidonians and had no business with any nation. And they came unto their brethren, to Zorah, and Eshtaol. And their brethren said unto them, "What tidings bring you?" And they said, "Up, and let us go unto them, for we have seen the land, that it is very good. Haste therefore and be not slothful to depart and go and conquer the land. When ye be come, ye shall come unto a people that casteth no perils, and unto a large country: for God hath given into your hands a place wherein is no lack of anything that is in the world."
And they said unto him, "Ask of God, I pray thee, that we may know whether the way which we go, shall be prosperous or no." And the priest said unto them, "Go in peace, for the way which ye go is before the LORD." Then the five men departed and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, and after the manner of the Sidonians: still, and without casting of perils, and that no man made any trouble in the land or usurped any dominion, and how they were far from the Sidonians and had no business with any nation. And they came unto their brethren, to Zorah, and Eshtaol. And their brethren said unto them, "What tidings bring you?" And they said, "Up, and let us go unto them, for we have seen the land, that it is very good. Haste therefore and be not slothful to depart and go and conquer the land. When ye be come, ye shall come unto a people that casteth no perils, and unto a large country: for God hath given into your hands a place wherein is no lack of anything that is in the world."
Armies » March in ranks » Of jerusalem
Therefore, in the ninth year of his reign, the tenth day of the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon with all his power to Jerusalem: and pitched against the town and made engines against it on every side. And the city continued besieged until the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. And the ninth day of the fourth month of that year, there was so great hunger in the city, that there was no sustenance for the people of the land.
Armies » Compared to » Waters of a river
Behold, the Lord shall bring mighty and great floods of water upon them: namely, the king of the Assyrians with all his power. Which shall pour out his furiousness upon every man, and run over all their banks.
Armies » Illustrative of » Numerous and heavy afflictions
His men of war came together, which made their way over me, and besieged my dwelling round about.
Armies » March in ranks » Angel of the lord smites the assyrians
And the selfsame night the Angel of the LORD went out and smote, in the host of the Assyrians, a hundred and four score and five thousand. And when they were up early in the morning: behold, they were all dead corpses.
Armies » March in ranks » Officers consecrate themselves to God
And by his side, Amasiah the son of Zichri, willing unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men.
Armies » March in ranks » Exhorted before battle
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses and chariots and people more than thou, be not afeared of them, for the LORD thy God is with thee which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. And when ye are come nigh unto battle, let the priest come forth and speak unto the people, and say unto them, 'Hear Israel, ye are come unto battle against your enemies, let not your hearts faint, neither fear nor be amazed nor a dread of them. read more.
For the LORD thy God goeth with you to fight for you against your enemies and to save you.' And let the officers speak unto the people, saying, 'If any man have built a new house and have not dedicate it, let him go and return to his house lest he die in the battle, and another dedicate it. And if any man have planted a vineyard and have not made it common, let him go and return again unto his house, lest he die in the battle and another make it common. And if any man be betrothed unto a wife and have not taken her, let him go and return again unto his house, lest he die in the battle and another take her.' And let the officers speak further unto the people, and say, 'If any man fear and be fainthearted, let him go and return unto his house, lest his brother's heart be made faint as well as his.' And when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, let them make captains of war over them.
For the LORD thy God goeth with you to fight for you against your enemies and to save you.' And let the officers speak unto the people, saying, 'If any man have built a new house and have not dedicate it, let him go and return to his house lest he die in the battle, and another dedicate it. And if any man have planted a vineyard and have not made it common, let him go and return again unto his house, lest he die in the battle and another make it common. And if any man be betrothed unto a wife and have not taken her, let him go and return again unto his house, lest he die in the battle and another take her.' And let the officers speak further unto the people, and say, 'If any man fear and be fainthearted, let him go and return unto his house, lest his brother's heart be made faint as well as his.' And when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, let them make captains of war over them.
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at zemaraim
But for all that, Jeroboam sent men privily above to come behind upon them: and so they were before Judah, and the layers in wait were behind them.
Armies » March in ranks » With music
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets, even unto the house of the LORD.
Armies » March in ranks » By jehoshaphat
And what time they began to laud and praise, then the LORD set layers await against the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir,
Armies » March in ranks » Panics
A thousand of you shall flee for one, or at the most for five, which do but only give you evil words: until ye be desolate, as a ship mast upon a high mountain, and as a beacon upon a hill.
Armies » March in ranks » Of ai
Then Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, "Get you up and view the country." And the men went up and spied out Ai, and returned unto Joshua and said unto him, "Let not all the people go up, but let as it were a two or three thousand men go up and destroy Ai, and make not all the people to labour thither, for they are but few."
Armies » Compulsory service in
And there was sore war with the Philistines, all the days of Saul. For wheresoever Saul saw a strong man, and an active, he took him unto him.
Armies » March in ranks » Children instructed in military arts
and bade to teach the children of Israel the staves thereof. And behold, it is written in the book of the righteous:
Armies » March in ranks » The confederated kings
And Joshua came, and all the men of war with him, against them: unto the water of Merom, suddenly, and fell upon them.
Armies » March in ranks » Sieges
Now when the city of Jerusalem was taken - for in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth Month, came Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon and all his Host, and besieged Jerusalem,
Armies » Rendezvous of » Methods employed in effecting » Cutting
And took a yoke of oxen and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, "Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall his oxen be served." Then the fear of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as it had been but one man.
Armies » March in ranks
His slings and battle-rams shall he prepare for thy walls, and with his weapons break down thy towers.
Therefore God led them about through the wilderness that bordereth on the reed sea. The children of Israel went harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
Armies » March in ranks » Among the midianites
And they stood still, every man in his place round about the host. And all the host ran and cried and fled.
Armies » March in ranks » Flanks called wings
And shall break in upon Judah, increasing in power, till he get him by the throat. He shall fill also the wideness of thy land with his broad wings, O Immanuel."
Armies » March in ranks » Holiness encouraged
When thou goest out with the host against thine enemies, keep thee from all wickedness; for the Lord is among you.