Thematic Bible: March in ranks
Thematic Bible
Armies » March in ranks » Religious ceremonies attending » Seeking counsel from God before battle
He will depend on Eleazar the priest, who will learn my will by using the Urim and Thummim. In this way Eleazar will direct Joshua and the whole congregation of Israel in all their affairs.
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked Jehovah (YHWH), saying: Who will go first to fight against the Canaanites for us?
While Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew worse. Then Saul said to the priest: Remove your hand.
Saul asked God: Should I attack the Philistines? Will you help us win? This time God did not answer. Saul called his army officers together and said: We have to find out what sin has kept God from answering. I promise by the living Jehovah, who gives Israel victory, that the guilty one will be put to death, even if he is my son Jonathan. But no one said anything. read more.
Then Saul said to them: All of you stand over there. Jonathan and I will stand over here. Do whatever you think best, they answered. Saul said to Jehovah the God of Israel, give a perfect lot. Jonathan and Samuel were taken, but the people escaped.
Then Saul said to them: All of you stand over there. Jonathan and I will stand over here. Do whatever you think best, they answered. Saul said to Jehovah the God of Israel, give a perfect lot. Jonathan and Samuel were taken, but the people escaped.
He asked Jehovah: Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Jehovah answered: Yes, Attack them and save Keilah. David's men said to him: We have enough to be afraid of here in Judah. It will be worse if we go to Keilah and attack the Philistine forces! David consulted Jehovah once again, and Jehovah said to him: Go attack Keilah! I will give you victory over the Philistines. read more.
David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. They drove off their livestock, and overwhelmingly defeated them. So David rescued the people who lived in Keilah. When Ahimelech's son Abiathar fled to David at Keilah, Abiathar brought a priestly ephod with him. When Saul was told that David went to Keilah, Saul said: God has delivered him into my hands. He has trapped himself by going into a city which has a gate with a double door held shut by a bar. So Saul called all the troops to go to war. They wanted to blockade Keilah, where David and his men were. David learned that Saul was planning to harm him. He told the priest Abiathar: Bring the ephod! Then David said: Jehovah God of Israel, I have actually heard that Saul is going to come to Keilah and destroy the city on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come here as I have heard? Jehovah God of Israel, please tell me. Jehovah answered: He will come. Will the citizens of Keilah hand my men and me over to Saul? David asked. Jehovah answered: They will hand you over.
David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. They drove off their livestock, and overwhelmingly defeated them. So David rescued the people who lived in Keilah. When Ahimelech's son Abiathar fled to David at Keilah, Abiathar brought a priestly ephod with him. When Saul was told that David went to Keilah, Saul said: God has delivered him into my hands. He has trapped himself by going into a city which has a gate with a double door held shut by a bar. So Saul called all the troops to go to war. They wanted to blockade Keilah, where David and his men were. David learned that Saul was planning to harm him. He told the priest Abiathar: Bring the ephod! Then David said: Jehovah God of Israel, I have actually heard that Saul is going to come to Keilah and destroy the city on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come here as I have heard? Jehovah God of Israel, please tell me. Jehovah answered: He will come. Will the citizens of Keilah hand my men and me over to Saul? David asked. Jehovah answered: They will hand you over.
David asked Jehovah: Should I pursue these troops? Will I catch up with them? Pursue them! Jehovah told him: You will certainly catch up with them and rescue the captives.
Later David asked Jehovah: Shall I go to the towns of Judah? Yes, Jehovah answered. Which one? David asked. Hebron, Jehovah told him.
David asked Jehovah: Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? Jehovah answered David: Attack! I will certainly deliver the Philistines to you.
Once again David consulted Jehovah. Jehovah answered David: Do not attack them from here. Go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees.
Jehoshaphat asked: Is there another prophet through whom we can consult Jehovah? Ahab answered: There is one more, Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, always something bad. The king should not say such things! Jehoshaphat replied. Then Ahab called a court official and told him to get Micaiah at once. read more.
They dressed in their royal robes and sat on their thrones at the threshing place near the gate of Samaria. The two kings listened to all the prophets prophesy in front of them. One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab: Jehovah says: 'With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them.' All the other prophets said the same thing: March against Ramoth and you will win, they said. Jehovah will give you victory. The messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him: All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king. You had better do the same. Micaiah answered: By the living God Jehovah I promise that I will say what he tells me to say! He appeared before King Ahab. The king asked him: Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not? Attack! Micaiah answered. You will win. Jehovah will give you victory. But Ahab replied: Tell the truth when you speak to me in the name of Jehovah! How many times do I have to tell you that? Micaiah answered: I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. Jehovah said: These men have no leader. Let them go home in peace. Israel's king said to Jehoshaphat: Did I not say to you, He will prophesy about me? It is always something bad! Micaiah continued: Now listen to what Jehovah says! I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him. Jehovah asked: Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and be killed at Ramoth? Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else, until a spirit stepped forward, approached Jehovah, and said: I will deceive him. How will you deceive him? Jehovah asked. The spirit replied: I will make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies. Jehovah said: Go and deceive him. You will succeed. Micaiah concluded: This is what has happened. Jehovah made these prophets of yours lie to you. He has decreed that you will meet with disaster! The prophet Zedekiah went to Micaiah and slapped his face. He asked: Since when did Jehovah's spirit leave me and speak to you? You will see when you go into an inner chamber to hide. Micaiah replied. The king of Israel said: Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon, the ruler of the town, and to Joash, the king's son. Tell them: 'It is the king's order that this man is to be put in prison and given prison food till I come again in peace.' Micaiah said: If you come back at all in peace, Jehovah has not sent his word by me.
They dressed in their royal robes and sat on their thrones at the threshing place near the gate of Samaria. The two kings listened to all the prophets prophesy in front of them. One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab: Jehovah says: 'With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them.' All the other prophets said the same thing: March against Ramoth and you will win, they said. Jehovah will give you victory. The messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him: All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king. You had better do the same. Micaiah answered: By the living God Jehovah I promise that I will say what he tells me to say! He appeared before King Ahab. The king asked him: Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not? Attack! Micaiah answered. You will win. Jehovah will give you victory. But Ahab replied: Tell the truth when you speak to me in the name of Jehovah! How many times do I have to tell you that? Micaiah answered: I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. Jehovah said: These men have no leader. Let them go home in peace. Israel's king said to Jehoshaphat: Did I not say to you, He will prophesy about me? It is always something bad! Micaiah continued: Now listen to what Jehovah says! I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him. Jehovah asked: Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and be killed at Ramoth? Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else, until a spirit stepped forward, approached Jehovah, and said: I will deceive him. How will you deceive him? Jehovah asked. The spirit replied: I will make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies. Jehovah said: Go and deceive him. You will succeed. Micaiah concluded: This is what has happened. Jehovah made these prophets of yours lie to you. He has decreed that you will meet with disaster! The prophet Zedekiah went to Micaiah and slapped his face. He asked: Since when did Jehovah's spirit leave me and speak to you? You will see when you go into an inner chamber to hide. Micaiah replied. The king of Israel said: Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon, the ruler of the town, and to Joash, the king's son. Tell them: 'It is the king's order that this man is to be put in prison and given prison food till I come again in peace.' Micaiah said: If you come back at all in peace, Jehovah has not sent his word by me.
King Jehoshaphat asked: Do we have a prophet here to consult Jehovah? An officer of King Joram's forces answered: Elisha son of Shaphat is here who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. The word of Jehovah is with him, King Jehoshaphat said. So the three kings went to Elisha. Why should I have anything to do with you? Elisha said to the king of Israel. Go consult the prophets your father and mother consulted. No! Joram king of Israel replied. It is Jehovah who placed us three kings at the mercy of the king of Moab. read more.
Elisha answered: By the living God Jehovah, whom I serve, I swear that I would have nothing to do with you if I did not respect your ally, King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Now bring me a musician. As the musician played his harp, the power of Jehovah came on Elisha. He said: This is what Jehovah says: 'Dig ditches all over this dry streambed (wadi). You will not see any rain or wind. This streambed will be filled with water and you and your animals will have plenty to drink. Elisha continued: This is an easy thing for Jehovah to do. He will also give you victory over the Moabites. You will conquer all their beautiful fortified cities. You will cut down all their fruit trees, stop all their springs, and ruin all their fertile fields by covering them with stones.
Elisha answered: By the living God Jehovah, whom I serve, I swear that I would have nothing to do with you if I did not respect your ally, King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Now bring me a musician. As the musician played his harp, the power of Jehovah came on Elisha. He said: This is what Jehovah says: 'Dig ditches all over this dry streambed (wadi). You will not see any rain or wind. This streambed will be filled with water and you and your animals will have plenty to drink. Elisha continued: This is an easy thing for Jehovah to do. He will also give you victory over the Moabites. You will conquer all their beautiful fortified cities. You will cut down all their fruit trees, stop all their springs, and ruin all their fertile fields by covering them with stones.
David inquired of God: Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? Jehovah answered him: Go, I will hand them over to you.
David inquired of God again, and God answered him: Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'Say this to the king of Judah, who sent you to get advice from me: Pharaoh's army has come out to help you. But it will go back to Egypt, its own land. Then the Babylonians will return. They will attack the city, capture it, and burn it down. Jehovah says: 'Do not deceive yourselves by thinking that the Babylonians will leave you. They will not leave you. read more.
Even if you would defeat the entire Babylonian army so that they had only a few badly wounded men left in their tents, they would get up and burn down this city!'
Even if you would defeat the entire Babylonian army so that they had only a few badly wounded men left in their tents, they would get up and burn down this city!'
Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Centurions
The centurion replied to Jesus: Lord, I am not worthy that you come under my roof. Say the word and my servant will be healed.
The centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus saw the earthquake. Filled with much fear of the things that were done, they proclaimed: Truly, this was the Son of God!
A centurion's servant, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and at the point of death.
The centurion saw what was done and glorified God, saying: Certainly this was a righteous man.
When the angel who spoke to Cornelius left, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier who was his attendant.
They said: We come from Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man who respects God. He has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so he could hear what you have to say.
At once he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When they saw the military commander and the soldiers they quit beating Paul.
When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked him: What are you doing? That man is a Roman citizen!
Paul called one of the centurions and said: Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.
He called two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea. Also prepare seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night.
He commanded a centurion to keep Paul. Allow him some freedom of custody and that some of his people should come and minister to him.
When it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and other prisoners to a man named Julius, a centurion of the band of Augustus.
But the army officer was convinced by what the captain and the owner of the ship said, and not by what Paul said.
The centurion desired to save Paul so he kept them from doing what they planned. He commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard, and get to the land first.
When we arrived at Rome they allowed Paul to have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.
Armies » March in ranks » Move, in attack, in three divisions
David assigned a third of the troops under Joab's command. He put another third under Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah. Then he placed the last third under Ittai from Gath. I am going into battle with you, the king said to the troops.
The next day Saul arranged the army in three divisions. They came into the Ammonite camp during the morning hours. They continued to defeat the Ammonites until it got hot that day. The survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.
He divided the three hundred men into three companies. He put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty jars, and lamps within the jars.
He divided his men into three groups. They hid in the fields, waiting. When he saw the people come out of the city, he came out of hiding to kill them.
Raiding parties left the Philistine camp in three companies. One company turned on the road to Ophrah to the region of Shual. Another company turned to the road to Beth Horon. Another turned onto the road toward the region that overlooks the valley of Zeboim and the desert.
Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us. They took away the camels and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.
Armies » March in ranks » Standing armies
Saul chose three thousand men from Israel. Two thousand of them were stationed with Saul at Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel. One thousand were stationed with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. He sent the rest of the people home.
Solomon assembled a force of fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand cavalry horses. Some of them he kept in Jerusalem. The rest he stationed in various other cities.
Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities where supplies were stored in Judah. He stored large supplies of food in the cities of Judah and an army of professional soldiers served him in Jerusalem. The following is a breakdown of these soldiers. They are listed by families. Judah's regimental commanders were Commander Adnah with three hundred thousand fighting men, read more.
next to him was Commander Jehohanan with two hundred and eighty thousand men. There was Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve Jehovah with two hundred thousand fighting men. From Benjamin there was the fighting man Eliada with two hundred thousand armed men with bows and shields. Next to him was Jehozabad with an army of one hundred and eighty thousand armed men. These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
next to him was Commander Jehohanan with two hundred and eighty thousand men. There was Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve Jehovah with two hundred thousand fighting men. From Benjamin there was the fighting man Eliada with two hundred thousand armed men with bows and shields. Next to him was Jehozabad with an army of one hundred and eighty thousand armed men. These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
He had a large army ready for battle. Its records were kept by his secretaries Jeiel and Maaseiah under the supervision of Hananiah, a member of the king's staff. The total number of family heads among these warriors was twenty-six hundred. They commanded an army of three hundred seven thousand and five hundred soldiers. They were a powerful force that could support the king against the enemy. read more.
Uzziah prepared shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and stones for slings for the entire army. In Jerusalem he manufactured machines designed by inventive people. The machines were placed on the towers and corners to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. Uzziah's fame spread far and wide because he had strong support until he became powerful.
Uzziah prepared shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and stones for slings for the entire army. In Jerusalem he manufactured machines designed by inventive people. The machines were placed on the towers and corners to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. Uzziah's fame spread far and wide because he had strong support until he became powerful.
Armies » March in ranks » Standards
The Israelites will put up their tents with each family under the flag that symbolizes its household. They will locate their tents around and facing the tent of meeting. On the east side, facing the rising sun, the armies led by Judah will camp under their flag. The leader for the people of Judah is Nahshon, son of Amminadab.
On the south side the armies led by Reuben will camp under their flag. The leader for the people of Reuben is Elizur, son of Shedeur
When the tent of meeting is moved, the Levites will stay in the middle of the groups. The tribes will move out in the same order as they are in the camp, everyone in place under his own flag (staff) (scepter). On the west side the armies led by Ephraim will camp under their flag. Elishama, son of Ammihud is the leader for the people of Ephraim.
On the north side the armies led by Dan will camp under their flag. The leader for the people of Dan is Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai.
The grand total of all the men in Dan's camp is one hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred. They will be the last group to move out. They will travel under their own flag.
The Israelites did everything as Jehovah had commanded Moses. They set up camp under their flags, and each person traveled with his own family and household.
They were in the same order each time they moved. Those under the banner of the division led by the tribe of Judah started out first, company by company, with Nahshon son of Amminadab in command.
Next, the banner of the division led by the tribe of Reuben would start out, company by company. Elizur son of Shedeur was in command.
Next, the banner of the division led by the tribe of Ephraim would start out, company by company, with Elishama son of Ammihud in command.
Finally, the banner of the division led by the tribe of Dan, serving as the rear guard of all the divisions, started out, company by company. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was in command.
Armies » March in ranks » Orders delivered with trumpets
So Joab blew a ram's horn and all the troops stopped. They did not chase or fight Israel anymore.
Joab ordered the trumpet blown to stop the fighting. His troops came back from pursuing the Israelites.
A worthless character named Sheba son of Bikri lived at Gilgal. He was of the tribe of Benjamin. He blew the trumpet and called out: Down with David! We will not follow him! Men of Israel, let us go home!
She went to the people of the city with her plan. They cut off Sheba's head and threw it over the wall to Joab. He blew the trumpet as a signal for his men to leave the city. They went back home. Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
Every builder was working with his sword at his side. By my side was a man for sounding the warning horn.
Wherever you may be when the horn is sounded, come here to us. Our God will fight for us.
Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Goliath stood and called to the Israelites: Why do you form a battle line? Am I not a Philistine? Are you Saul's servants? Choose a man, and let him come down to fight me. If he can fight me and kill me we will be your slaves. But if I overpower him and kill him you will be our slaves and serve us. The Philistine added: I challenge the Israelite battle line today. Send out a man so we can fight each other. read more.
Saul and all the Israelites were overcome with fear when they heard what this Philistine said. David was a son of a man named Jesse from the region of Ephrath and the city of Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons. In Saul's day he was an old man. Jesse's three oldest sons joined Saul's army for the battle. The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest joined Saul's army. David went back and forth from Saul's camp to Bethlehem, where he tended his father's flock. Each morning and evening for forty days the Philistine came forward and made his challenge. Jesse told his son David: Take this half-bushel of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread to your brothers. Take them to your brothers in the camp right away. Also take these ten slices of cheese to the commanding officer. Find out how your brothers are getting along. Bring back something to show that you saw them and that they are well. King Saul, your brothers, and all the other Israelites are in Elah Valley fighting the Philistines. David obeyed his father. He got up early the next morning and left someone else in charge of the sheep. He loaded the supplies and started off. He reached the army camp just as the soldiers were taking their places and shouting the battle cry. The army of Israel and the Philistine army stood there facing each other. David left his things with the man in charge of supplies. He ran up to the battle line to ask his brothers if they were well. David talked to his brothers. Goliath came out from the line of Philistines and boasted as usual. David heard him. When the Israelite soldiers saw Goliath they were afraid and ran off. They said to each other: Look how he keeps coming out to insult us. The king offers a big reward to the man who kills Goliath. That man will even get to marry the king's daughter. No one in his family will ever have to pay taxes again. David asked some soldiers standing nearby: What will a man get for killing this Philistine and stopping him from insulting our people? Who does that worthless Philistine think he is? He makes fun of the army of the living God! The soldiers repeated to David how the man who kills Goliath would be treated. Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard David talking to the men. Then Eliab became angry with David. Why did you come here, he asked him, and with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how overconfident and headstrong you are. You came here just to see the battle. What have I done now? David snapped at him. Did I just ask a question? He turned to face another man and asked the same question. The other soldiers gave him the same answer. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him. David told Saul: No one should be discouraged because of this. I will go and fight this Philistine. Saul responded to David: You cannot fight this Philistine. You are just a boy. He has been a warrior since he was your age. David replied to Saul: I am a shepherd for my father's sheep. When a lion or a bear comes and carries off a sheep from the flock, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. If the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears. I will do the same to this heathen Philistine. He has defied the army of the living God. Jehovah saved me from lions and bears. He will save me from this Philistine. Saul answered: Go and Jehovah be with you. He gave his own armor to David for him to wear. It consisted of a copper helmet, which he put on David's head, and a coat of armor. David strapped Saul's sword over the armor and tried to walk. But he could not walk. I cannot fight with all this, he said to Saul. I am not used to it. So he took it all off. He took his shepherd's stick and picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath. The Philistine, preceded by the man carrying his shield came closer and closer to David. The Philistine got a good look at David and he despised him. David was only a young man with a healthy complexion and good looks. The Philistine asked David: Am I a dog that you come to attack me with sticks? So the Philistine called on his gods to curse David. Come here, the Philistine told David, and I will give your body to the birds. David answered: You come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I come out to fight you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. He is the Almighty God of Israel's army. You have insulted him! Today Jehovah will help me defeat you. I will knock you down and cut off your head! I will feed the bodies of the other Philistine soldiers to the birds and wild animals. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a real God. Everybody here will see that Jehovah does not need swords or spears to save his people. Jehovah always wins his battles. He will help us defeat you! Goliath started forward and David ran toward him. He put a rock in his sling and swung the sling around by its straps. When he let go of one strap, the rock flew out and hit Goliath on the forehead. It cracked his skull. He fell facedown on the ground. So David overcame the Philistine with his leather band and a stone. The Philistine was wounded and laying on the ground. But David had no sword in his hand. He ran to him and stood over him. David took Goliath's sword out of its sheath and cut off his head to kill him. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead they ran away. The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. The sons of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines. They plundered their tents.
Saul and all the Israelites were overcome with fear when they heard what this Philistine said. David was a son of a man named Jesse from the region of Ephrath and the city of Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons. In Saul's day he was an old man. Jesse's three oldest sons joined Saul's army for the battle. The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest joined Saul's army. David went back and forth from Saul's camp to Bethlehem, where he tended his father's flock. Each morning and evening for forty days the Philistine came forward and made his challenge. Jesse told his son David: Take this half-bushel of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread to your brothers. Take them to your brothers in the camp right away. Also take these ten slices of cheese to the commanding officer. Find out how your brothers are getting along. Bring back something to show that you saw them and that they are well. King Saul, your brothers, and all the other Israelites are in Elah Valley fighting the Philistines. David obeyed his father. He got up early the next morning and left someone else in charge of the sheep. He loaded the supplies and started off. He reached the army camp just as the soldiers were taking their places and shouting the battle cry. The army of Israel and the Philistine army stood there facing each other. David left his things with the man in charge of supplies. He ran up to the battle line to ask his brothers if they were well. David talked to his brothers. Goliath came out from the line of Philistines and boasted as usual. David heard him. When the Israelite soldiers saw Goliath they were afraid and ran off. They said to each other: Look how he keeps coming out to insult us. The king offers a big reward to the man who kills Goliath. That man will even get to marry the king's daughter. No one in his family will ever have to pay taxes again. David asked some soldiers standing nearby: What will a man get for killing this Philistine and stopping him from insulting our people? Who does that worthless Philistine think he is? He makes fun of the army of the living God! The soldiers repeated to David how the man who kills Goliath would be treated. Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard David talking to the men. Then Eliab became angry with David. Why did you come here, he asked him, and with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how overconfident and headstrong you are. You came here just to see the battle. What have I done now? David snapped at him. Did I just ask a question? He turned to face another man and asked the same question. The other soldiers gave him the same answer. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him. David told Saul: No one should be discouraged because of this. I will go and fight this Philistine. Saul responded to David: You cannot fight this Philistine. You are just a boy. He has been a warrior since he was your age. David replied to Saul: I am a shepherd for my father's sheep. When a lion or a bear comes and carries off a sheep from the flock, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. If the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears. I will do the same to this heathen Philistine. He has defied the army of the living God. Jehovah saved me from lions and bears. He will save me from this Philistine. Saul answered: Go and Jehovah be with you. He gave his own armor to David for him to wear. It consisted of a copper helmet, which he put on David's head, and a coat of armor. David strapped Saul's sword over the armor and tried to walk. But he could not walk. I cannot fight with all this, he said to Saul. I am not used to it. So he took it all off. He took his shepherd's stick and picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath. The Philistine, preceded by the man carrying his shield came closer and closer to David. The Philistine got a good look at David and he despised him. David was only a young man with a healthy complexion and good looks. The Philistine asked David: Am I a dog that you come to attack me with sticks? So the Philistine called on his gods to curse David. Come here, the Philistine told David, and I will give your body to the birds. David answered: You come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I come out to fight you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. He is the Almighty God of Israel's army. You have insulted him! Today Jehovah will help me defeat you. I will knock you down and cut off your head! I will feed the bodies of the other Philistine soldiers to the birds and wild animals. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a real God. Everybody here will see that Jehovah does not need swords or spears to save his people. Jehovah always wins his battles. He will help us defeat you! Goliath started forward and David ran toward him. He put a rock in his sling and swung the sling around by its straps. When he let go of one strap, the rock flew out and hit Goliath on the forehead. It cracked his skull. He fell facedown on the ground. So David overcame the Philistine with his leather band and a stone. The Philistine was wounded and laying on the ground. But David had no sword in his hand. He ran to him and stood over him. David took Goliath's sword out of its sheath and cut off his head to kill him. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead they ran away. The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. The sons of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines. They plundered their tents.
Abner yelled to Joab: Let some of our best soldiers get up and fight each other! Joab agreed. Twelve of Ishbosheth's men from the tribe of Benjamin got up to fight twelve of David's men. Each one grabbed his opponent by the head. Then he stuck his sword into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. That place in Gibeon is called the Field of Enemies. read more.
Fierce fighting broke out that day. In the end, David's men defeated Abner and the men of Israel.
Fierce fighting broke out that day. In the end, David's men defeated Abner and the men of Israel.
Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.
Armies » March in ranks » Determine royal succession
Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David.
The Israelites in the camp heard it said: Zimri plotted against the king and killed him. So all Israel made Omri, the captain of the army, king that day there in the camp.
In the seventh year Jehoiada the priest sent for the officers in charge of the royal bodyguard and of the palace guards, and told them to come to the Temple. He made them agree under oath to what he planned to do. He showed them King Ahaziah's son Joash and gave them the following orders: When you come on duty on the Sabbath, one third of you are to guard the palace. One third are to stand guard at the Sur Gate. The other third are to stand guard at the gate behind the other guards. read more.
The two groups that go off duty on the Sabbath are to stand guard at the Temple to protect the king. You are to guard King Jehoash with drawn swords and stay with him wherever he goes. Anyone who comes near you is to be killed. The officers obeyed Jehoiada's instructions and brought their men to him, those going off duty on the Sabbath and those going on duty. He gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple. He stationed the men with drawn swords all around the front of the Temple, to protect the king. Then Jehoiada led Joash out and placed the crown on his head. He gave him a copy of the laws governing kingship. Then Jehoash was anointed and proclaimed king. The people clapped their hands and shouted: Long live the king!
The two groups that go off duty on the Sabbath are to stand guard at the Temple to protect the king. You are to guard King Jehoash with drawn swords and stay with him wherever he goes. Anyone who comes near you is to be killed. The officers obeyed Jehoiada's instructions and brought their men to him, those going off duty on the Sabbath and those going on duty. He gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple. He stationed the men with drawn swords all around the front of the Temple, to protect the king. Then Jehoiada led Joash out and placed the crown on his head. He gave him a copy of the laws governing kingship. Then Jehoash was anointed and proclaimed king. The people clapped their hands and shouted: Long live the king!
Armies » March in ranks » Mercenaries
The Ammonites realized they had made themselves repulsive to David. They hired the Arameans from Beth Rehob and Zobah, with twenty thousand foot soldiers. From the army of the king of Maacah they hired one thousand men, and twelve thousand men of Tob.
The Ammonites realized that they had become a stench in David's nostrils. Then Hanun and the Ammonites sent seventy-five thousand pounds of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, (Northwest Mesopotamia) Aram Maacah and Zobah. They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and charioteers, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites were mustered from their towns and moved out for battle.
Amaziah called the people of Judah together and assigned them by families to regiment and battalion commanders for all of Judah and Benjamin. He organized those who were at least twenty years old. He had three hundred thousand of the best men for the army, those who could handle a spear and a shield. He also hired one hundred thousand soldiers from Israel for seven thousand and five hundred pounds of silver.
Armies » March in ranks » Decoy
He commanded them, saying: You shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city. Do not go very far from the city and be ready. I, and all the people that are with me, will approach the city. When they come out against us we will run away from them. They will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city. They will say: 'They run from us.' Therefore we will run before them. read more.
Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand. When you have taken the city you will set the city on fire according to the commandment of Jehovah. See, I have commanded you. Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered his men. He and the elders of Israel went in front of the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him went to the city. They set up camp on the north side of Ai. There was a valley between them and Ai. He took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They had the solders take up their positions those in camp to the north and the ambush to the west. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. When the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed headed for the plain. He did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten in front of them and ran away to the wilderness. All the people in Ai were called together to chase after them. They chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There was no man left in Ai or Bethel. They all went after Israel: and they left the city open. Jehovah said to Joshua: Stretch out the spear (javelin) that is in your hand toward Ai. I will give it to your hand. Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. The ambush began quickly. They ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand. They entered into the city, captured it and quickly set the city on fire. The men of Ai looked behind and saw the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. They had no power to run this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended they turned and killed the men of Ai. The men of the ambush came out of the city against them. They were caught in the middle with Israel on both sides. Israel killed them all. No one remained or escaped.
Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand. When you have taken the city you will set the city on fire according to the commandment of Jehovah. See, I have commanded you. Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered his men. He and the elders of Israel went in front of the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him went to the city. They set up camp on the north side of Ai. There was a valley between them and Ai. He took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They had the solders take up their positions those in camp to the north and the ambush to the west. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. When the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed headed for the plain. He did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten in front of them and ran away to the wilderness. All the people in Ai were called together to chase after them. They chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There was no man left in Ai or Bethel. They all went after Israel: and they left the city open. Jehovah said to Joshua: Stretch out the spear (javelin) that is in your hand toward Ai. I will give it to your hand. Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. The ambush began quickly. They ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand. They entered into the city, captured it and quickly set the city on fire. The men of Ai looked behind and saw the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. They had no power to run this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended they turned and killed the men of Ai. The men of the ambush came out of the city against them. They were caught in the middle with Israel on both sides. Israel killed them all. No one remained or escaped.
The Israelites hid some soldiers around Gibeah. Then for the third straight day they marched against the army of Benjamin. They placed their soldiers in battle position facing Gibeah, as they had done before. The Benjaminites came out to fight and were drawn away from the city. Just as before they killed some Israelites in the open country, on the road to Bethel and on the road to Gibeah. They killed about thirty Israelites. read more.
The Benjaminites said: They are defeated just as before. But the Israelites planned to retreat and lead them away from the city onto the roads. The main army of the Israelites pulled back and regrouped at Baaltamar. The men surrounding Gibeah suddenly rushed out of hiding in the rocky country around the city. Ten thousand, specially chosen men, out of all Israel, attacked Gibeah, and the fighting was fierce. The Benjaminites did not realize they were about to be destroyed. Jehovah gave Israel victory over the army of Benjamin. The Israelites killed twenty five thousand one hundred of the enemy that day, The Benjaminites knew they were defeated. The main body of the Israelite army had retreated from the Benjaminites. This is because they relied on the men that were hiding around Gibeah. These men ran quickly toward Gibeah. They spread out and killed everyone there. The main Israelite army and the men in hiding had a prearranged signal. When they saw a big cloud of smoke going up from the town, the Israelites out on the battlefield were to turn around. By this time the Benjaminites had already killed the thirty Israelites. They told themselves: We have beaten them. The signal appeared. A cloud of smoke rose above the town. The Benjaminites looked behind them to see the whole city going up in flames. Then the Israelites turned around. The Benjaminites were thrown into panic because they could see that they were about to be destroyed. They retreated from the Israelites. They ran toward the open country and could not escape. They were caught between the main army and the men now coming out of the city. They were destroyed. The Israelites trapped the enemy. Without stopping they pursued them as far as a point east of Gibeah. They killed them as they advanced.
The Benjaminites said: They are defeated just as before. But the Israelites planned to retreat and lead them away from the city onto the roads. The main army of the Israelites pulled back and regrouped at Baaltamar. The men surrounding Gibeah suddenly rushed out of hiding in the rocky country around the city. Ten thousand, specially chosen men, out of all Israel, attacked Gibeah, and the fighting was fierce. The Benjaminites did not realize they were about to be destroyed. Jehovah gave Israel victory over the army of Benjamin. The Israelites killed twenty five thousand one hundred of the enemy that day, The Benjaminites knew they were defeated. The main body of the Israelite army had retreated from the Benjaminites. This is because they relied on the men that were hiding around Gibeah. These men ran quickly toward Gibeah. They spread out and killed everyone there. The main Israelite army and the men in hiding had a prearranged signal. When they saw a big cloud of smoke going up from the town, the Israelites out on the battlefield were to turn around. By this time the Benjaminites had already killed the thirty Israelites. They told themselves: We have beaten them. The signal appeared. A cloud of smoke rose above the town. The Benjaminites looked behind them to see the whole city going up in flames. Then the Israelites turned around. The Benjaminites were thrown into panic because they could see that they were about to be destroyed. They retreated from the Israelites. They ran toward the open country and could not escape. They were caught between the main army and the men now coming out of the city. They were destroyed. The Israelites trapped the enemy. Without stopping they pursued them as far as a point east of Gibeah. They killed them as they advanced.
Armies » March in ranks » A promotion
These are the names of David's warriors: Ishbosheth son of Hachmon was the leader of the Three Warriors. In one battle, he killed eight hundred men with his spear. The next one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite. One time when the Philistines were at war with Israel, he and David dared the Philistines to fight them. Every one of the Israelite soldiers turned and ran. Eleazar was the exception. He killed Philistines until his hand was cramped. He could not let go of his sword. When Eleazar finished, all the Israelite troops had to do was come back and take the enemies' weapons and armor. Jehovah gave Israel a great victory that day. read more.
Next in rank to him was Shammah, the son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of ripe lentils. When the troops fled from the Philistines, he stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So Jehovah won an impressive victory. At harvest time three of the thirty leading men came to David at the cave of Adullam when a troop from the Philistine army was camping in the valley of Rephaim. David was on a fortified hill. A group of Philistines occupied Bethlehem. David grew homesick. He said: I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem! The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp. They then drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it. He poured it out as an offering to Jehovah. David said: Jehovah, I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives! So he refused to drink it. Those were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers. Joab's brother Abishai led the Thirty Warriors. In one battle he killed three hundred men with his spear. He was as famous as the Three Warriors. In fact he was just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. He was the commander of the Thirty Warriors. Yet he still did not become one of the Three Warriors. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave man from Kabzeel who did some amazing things. He killed two of Moab's best fighters. On a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. He killed an Egyptian as big as a giant. The Egyptian was armed with a spear. Benaiah only had a club. Benaiah grabbed the spear from the Egyptian and killed him with it. Benaiah never became one of the Three Warriors. He was just as famous as they were and certainly just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. David made him the leader of his bodyguard. He was honored over the rest of the Thirty Warriors. But he was not equal to the first three. David made him in charge over the fighting men who kept him safe. One of the thirty was Joab's brother Asahel. The thirty leading men were Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, Shammah from Harod, Elika from Harod, Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai son of Hushai, Zalmon descendant of Ahohi, Maharai from Netophah, Heleb son of Baanah from Netophah, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah from Pirathon, Hiddai from the Gaash ravines, Abi Albon from Beth Arabah, Azmaveth from Bahurim, Elihba from Shaalbon, Bene Jashen, Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, Eliphelet son of Ahasbai and grandson of a man from Maacah, Eliam son of Ahithophel from Gilo, Hezrai from Carmel, Paarai from Arabah, Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani from the tribe of Gad, Zelek from Ammon, Naharai from Beeroth, armorbearer for Zeruiah's son Joab, Ira descendant of Ithra, Gareb descendant of Ithra, and Uriah the Hittite, thirty-seven in all.
Next in rank to him was Shammah, the son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of ripe lentils. When the troops fled from the Philistines, he stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So Jehovah won an impressive victory. At harvest time three of the thirty leading men came to David at the cave of Adullam when a troop from the Philistine army was camping in the valley of Rephaim. David was on a fortified hill. A group of Philistines occupied Bethlehem. David grew homesick. He said: I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem! The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp. They then drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it. He poured it out as an offering to Jehovah. David said: Jehovah, I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives! So he refused to drink it. Those were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers. Joab's brother Abishai led the Thirty Warriors. In one battle he killed three hundred men with his spear. He was as famous as the Three Warriors. In fact he was just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. He was the commander of the Thirty Warriors. Yet he still did not become one of the Three Warriors. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave man from Kabzeel who did some amazing things. He killed two of Moab's best fighters. On a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. He killed an Egyptian as big as a giant. The Egyptian was armed with a spear. Benaiah only had a club. Benaiah grabbed the spear from the Egyptian and killed him with it. Benaiah never became one of the Three Warriors. He was just as famous as they were and certainly just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. David made him the leader of his bodyguard. He was honored over the rest of the Thirty Warriors. But he was not equal to the first three. David made him in charge over the fighting men who kept him safe. One of the thirty was Joab's brother Asahel. The thirty leading men were Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, Shammah from Harod, Elika from Harod, Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai son of Hushai, Zalmon descendant of Ahohi, Maharai from Netophah, Heleb son of Baanah from Netophah, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah from Pirathon, Hiddai from the Gaash ravines, Abi Albon from Beth Arabah, Azmaveth from Bahurim, Elihba from Shaalbon, Bene Jashen, Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, Eliphelet son of Ahasbai and grandson of a man from Maacah, Eliam son of Ahithophel from Gilo, Hezrai from Carmel, Paarai from Arabah, Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani from the tribe of Gad, Zelek from Ammon, Naharai from Beeroth, armorbearer for Zeruiah's son Joab, Ira descendant of Ithra, Gareb descendant of Ithra, and Uriah the Hittite, thirty-seven in all.
David said: Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief.
These were the men in charge of David's mighty men. They strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite, chief of the captains; he had lifted up his spear against three hundred, killed by him at one time. After him were Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. read more.
He was with David at Pasdammim. The Philistines were gathered for battle. There was a piece of ground full of barley. And the people fled from the Philistines. They stationed themselves in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So Jehovah brought about a great victory. Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam. The army of the Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. David said with longing: Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate. They took it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to Jehovah. He said: Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have placed their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things. Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of another three. He had lifted up his spear against three hundred men. He killed them and won a name among these three. Of the three he was more honored than the other two men. Therefore he became their captain. However he did not attain to the first three. Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, seven and a half feet tall. Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam in his hand. He went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear. These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men. Indeed he was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. David appointed him over his guard. Also the mighty warriors were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, Sibbechai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shageh the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite a chief of the Reubenites and thirty with him, Hanan the son of Maachah, Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
He was with David at Pasdammim. The Philistines were gathered for battle. There was a piece of ground full of barley. And the people fled from the Philistines. They stationed themselves in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So Jehovah brought about a great victory. Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam. The army of the Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. David said with longing: Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate. They took it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to Jehovah. He said: Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have placed their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things. Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of another three. He had lifted up his spear against three hundred men. He killed them and won a name among these three. Of the three he was more honored than the other two men. Therefore he became their captain. However he did not attain to the first three. Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, seven and a half feet tall. Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam in his hand. He went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear. These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men. Indeed he was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. David appointed him over his guard. Also the mighty warriors were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, Sibbechai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shageh the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite a chief of the Reubenites and thirty with him, Hanan the son of Maachah, Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
Armies » March in ranks » Escort duty performed by
Then he sent an officer with fifty men to get Elijah. The officer found him sitting on a hill and said to him: Man of God, the king orders you to come down.
He called two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea. Also prepare seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night. Provide some horses for Paul to ride and get him safely through to Governor Felix.
The soldiers carried out their orders. That night they took Paul as far as Antipatris. The next day the foot soldiers returned to the fort and left the horsemen to go on with him. They took him to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor. Then they turned Paul over to him.
Armies » March in ranks » Ark taken to battle
Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said to them: Take up the Ark of the Covenant. Seven priests should carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of Jehovah. He said to the people: Pass on, and circle the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the Ark of Jehovah.
Seven priests carrying seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of Jehovah went on continually, and blew with the trumpets. The armed men went before them. The rear guard followed the Ark of Jehovah. The priests were blowing the trumpet.
They sent men to Shiloh to bring back the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah of Hosts who is enthroned over the angels. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas came along with God's ark. When Jehovah's Ark came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. When the Philistines heard the noise, they asked: What is all this shouting in the Hebrew camp? The Philistines found out that Jehovah's ark was brought into the camp. read more.
Then they were frightened and said: A god has come into their camp. They also said: Oh no! Nothing like this has ever happened before. We are in trouble now! Who will deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with plagues in the desert wilderness. Be strong, Philistines, and conduct your selves like men (with courage). Or else you will serve the Hebrews as they served you. Act like men and fight. The Philistines fought and defeated Israel. Every Israelite soldier fled to his tent. It was a major defeat in which thirty thousand Israelite foot soldiers died. The Ark of the Covenant was captured. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Then they were frightened and said: A god has come into their camp. They also said: Oh no! Nothing like this has ever happened before. We are in trouble now! Who will deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with plagues in the desert wilderness. Be strong, Philistines, and conduct your selves like men (with courage). Or else you will serve the Hebrews as they served you. Act like men and fight. The Philistines fought and defeated Israel. Every Israelite soldier fled to his tent. It was a major defeat in which thirty thousand Israelite foot soldiers died. The Ark of the Covenant was captured. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Armies » March in ranks » Check roll-call
Call the roll, Saul told the troops who were with him, See who has left our camp. They looked and found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.
Then the officers who were over the thousands of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, approached Moses. They said to Moses: Your servants have taken a census of men of war who are in our charge, and no man of us is missing.
Armies » March in ranks » Battle shouts
David obeyed his father. He got up early the next morning and left someone else in charge of the sheep. He loaded the supplies and started off. He reached the army camp just as the soldiers were taking their places and shouting the battle cry.
When I blow the trumpet, all who are with me should blow the trumpets. Blow the trumpets on every side of the camp and say: 'The sword of Jehovah, and of Gideon!'
The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.
Armies » March in ranks » Night attacks
He divided his forces against them by night. He and his servants routed them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.
He divided the three hundred men into three companies. He put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty jars, and lamps within the jars. He said to them: Look at me, and do as I do. When I come to the outside of the camp do the same as I do. When I blow the trumpet, all who are with me should blow the trumpets. Blow the trumpets on every side of the camp and say: 'The sword of Jehovah, and of Gideon!' read more.
Gideon and the hundred men, who were with him, came to the outside of the camp. It was the beginning of the middle watch and they had just posted the new watch. They blew the trumpets, and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the jars, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands. Then they cried: The sword of Jehovah, and of Gideon! Every man stood in his place around the camp. The army ran, and cried, and fled. The three hundred blew the trumpets. Jehovah set every man's sword against his companions. They turned on each other throughout all the army. The army fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, to Tabbath.
Gideon and the hundred men, who were with him, came to the outside of the camp. It was the beginning of the middle watch and they had just posted the new watch. They blew the trumpets, and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the jars, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands. Then they cried: The sword of Jehovah, and of Gideon! Every man stood in his place around the camp. The army ran, and cried, and fled. The three hundred blew the trumpets. Jehovah set every man's sword against his companions. They turned on each other throughout all the army. The army fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, to Tabbath.
Armies » March in ranks » The king offers his daughter
They said to each other: Look how he keeps coming out to insult us. The king offers a big reward to the man who kills Goliath. That man will even get to marry the king's daughter. No one in his family will ever have to pay taxes again.
Finally, Saul said to David: Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I will give her to you as your wife if you prove yourself to be a warrior for me and fight Jehovah's battles. Saul thought: I must not lay a hand on him. Let the Philistines do that. David answered: Who am I? What is my family that I should be the king's son-in-law? The time came for Merab to be given to David. Instead, she was given to a man named Adriel from Meholah. read more.
Saul's daughter Michal fell in love with David. When Saul heard of this he was pleased. He said to himself: I will give Michal to David. I will use her to trap him. The Philistines will kill him. So for the second time Saul said to David: You will be my son-in-law. Saul ordered his officials to speak to David in private. They went to David and said: Look, the king likes you, and all of his officials are loyal to you. Why not ask the king if you may marry his daughter Michal? Saul's servants said these things to David. And David said: I am not rich or famous enough to marry Princess Michal. Saul's servants told him: David asked, do you think it is easy to become the king's son-in-law? I am a poor and unimportant person. When the officers told Saul what David had said, Saul's officials reported to David what Saul had said. David was delighted with the thought of becoming the king's son-in-law. Before the day set for the wedding, David and his men killed two hundred Philistines. He took their foreskins to the king and counted them all out to him. This was so he might become his son-in-law. So Saul had to give his daughter Michal in marriage to David. Saul knew she loved David. He also realized that Jehovah was helping David.
Saul's daughter Michal fell in love with David. When Saul heard of this he was pleased. He said to himself: I will give Michal to David. I will use her to trap him. The Philistines will kill him. So for the second time Saul said to David: You will be my son-in-law. Saul ordered his officials to speak to David in private. They went to David and said: Look, the king likes you, and all of his officials are loyal to you. Why not ask the king if you may marry his daughter Michal? Saul's servants said these things to David. And David said: I am not rich or famous enough to marry Princess Michal. Saul's servants told him: David asked, do you think it is easy to become the king's son-in-law? I am a poor and unimportant person. When the officers told Saul what David had said, Saul's officials reported to David what Saul had said. David was delighted with the thought of becoming the king's son-in-law. Before the day set for the wedding, David and his men killed two hundred Philistines. He took their foreskins to the king and counted them all out to him. This was so he might become his son-in-law. So Saul had to give his daughter Michal in marriage to David. Saul knew she loved David. He also realized that Jehovah was helping David.
Armies » March in ranks » Uniforms of
The Assyrians were clothed in purple, governors and officials, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses.
She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and officials, the ones near, magnificently dressed, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men.
The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are dressed in scarlet: the chariots flash with steel in the day of his preparation, and the cypress tree [spears] are brandished.
Armies » March in ranks » Unusual winter campaign
In the spring, at the time of the year when kings usually go to war, David sent out Joab with his officers and the Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged the city of Rabbah. David stayed in Jerusalem.
In the spring, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led the army to war. They destroyed the Ammonites and came to Rabbah to attack it, while David stayed in Jerusalem. Joab defeated Rabbah and tore it down.
Armies » March in ranks » engines" used
In Jerusalem he manufactured machines designed by inventive people. The machines were placed on the towers and corners to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. Uzziah's fame spread far and wide because he had strong support until he became powerful.
Jehovah of Hosts says: Cut down trees and build up a siege against Jerusalem. This city should be punished, for there is only oppression in her.
Armies » March in ranks » Margin note)
From the tribe of Zebulun, there were fifty thousand skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David.
They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like men of war. They march every one on his way and do not break their ranks.
Armies » March in ranks » Soldiers destroy each other to escape captivity
Saul and all the people with him came together and went forward to the battle. Every man's sword was turned against the man at his side. There was a very great noise.
He said to the young man carrying his weapons: Draw your sword and kill me. That way these godless Philistines will not gloat over me and kill me. But the young man was too terrified to do it. So Saul took his own sword and threw himself on it. The young man saw that Saul was dead. Then he too threw himself on his own sword and died with Saul. That is how Saul, his three sons, and the young man died. All of Saul's men died that day.
Armies » March in ranks » Triumphs of, celebrated » With songs
David returned from a campaign against the Philistines. That same day women from all of Israel's cities came to meet King Saul. They sang and danced. Tambourines, joyful music, and triangles accompanied them. The women who celebrated sang: Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands!
Armies » March in ranks » Confidence in, vain
A mighty army does not save the king. A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
I do not rely on my bow, and my sword will never save me.
Armies » March in ranks » Of samaria
After that King Benhadad of Syria led his entire army against Israel in siege of the city of Samaria. The siege caused a great food shortage in the city. It was so severe that a donkey's head cost eighty pieces of silver, and half a pound of dove's dung cost five pieces of silver. The king of Israel walked by on the city wall when a woman cried out: Help me, Your Majesty! read more.
The king replied: If Jehovah will not help you, what help can I provide? Where can I get you help from the threshing floor or the wine press? The king asked: What is your trouble? She answered: The other day a woman suggested that we eat my child. Then we could eat her child the next day. So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I told her that we would eat her son, but she had hidden him! Hearing this, the king tore his clothes. The people close to the wall could see that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes. He exclaimed: May God strike me dead if Elisha is not beheaded before the day is over! He sent a messenger to get Elisha. Meanwhile Elisha was at home with some elders who were visiting him. Before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders: That murderer is sending someone to kill me! When he gets here, shut the door. Do not let him come in. The king will follow him. While Elisha was still talking the king arrived and said: Jehovah brought this trouble on us! Why should I wait any longer for him to do something?
The king replied: If Jehovah will not help you, what help can I provide? Where can I get you help from the threshing floor or the wine press? The king asked: What is your trouble? She answered: The other day a woman suggested that we eat my child. Then we could eat her child the next day. So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I told her that we would eat her son, but she had hidden him! Hearing this, the king tore his clothes. The people close to the wall could see that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes. He exclaimed: May God strike me dead if Elisha is not beheaded before the day is over! He sent a messenger to get Elisha. Meanwhile Elisha was at home with some elders who were visiting him. Before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders: That murderer is sending someone to kill me! When he gets here, shut the door. Do not let him come in. The king will follow him. While Elisha was still talking the king arrived and said: Jehovah brought this trouble on us! Why should I wait any longer for him to do something?
Armies » March in ranks » Divided into "bands" (rv margin, cohorts,)
When it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and other prisoners to a man named Julius, a centurion of the band of Augustus.
Armies » March in ranks » Jehoshaphat's victories
Armies » March in ranks » Divine assistance to » Samaria's deliverances
Armies » March in ranks » Rewards for meritorious conduct » The general offers his daughter in marriage
Caleb said: I will give Achsah my daughter in marriage to the man who captures it and kills Kirjath-sepher. 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
There was panic among the army in the field. All the troops in the military post trembled with fear. The raiding party also trembled in fear. The earth shook, and there was a panic sent from God. Saul's watchmen at Gibeah of Benjamin could see the crowd in the Philistine camp dispersing in all directions. Call the roll, Saul told the troops who were with him, See who has left our camp. They looked and found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. read more.
Then Saul said to Ahijah: Bring the Ark of God here. At that time it was with the Israelites. While Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew worse. Then Saul said to the priest: Remove your hand.
Then Saul said to Ahijah: Bring the Ark of God here. At that time it was with the Israelites. While Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew worse. Then Saul said to the priest: Remove your hand.
Armies » March in ranks » Army choir and songs
After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army. They sang: 'Praise Jehovah! His love is eternal!' As soon as they began singing, Jehovah confused the enemy camp,
Armies » March in ranks » Divine assistance to » Sun stands still
As they fled from Israel, and were going down to Beth-horon, Jehovah cast down great stones from heaven upon them all the way to Azekah and they died. In fact hailstones killed more than the children of Israel killed using their swords. Joshua spoke to Jehovah the day when Jehovah delivered the Amorites to the children of Israel. He said in sight of Israel: Sun, stand still upon Gibeon; and Moon, stand still in the valley of Ajalon. The sun stood still, and the moon stood still, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not go down for a whole day. read more.
There was no day like that before or after it, that Jehovah listened to the voice of a man: for Jehovah fought for Israel.
There was no day like that before or after it, that Jehovah listened to the voice of a man: for Jehovah fought for Israel.
Armies » March in ranks » Sacrifices
Samuel asked: What have you done? Saul replied: I saw the troops were scattering. You did not come when you said you would and the Philistines were assembling at Michmash. So I thought the Philistines will come against me at Gilgal. I have not sought Jehovah's favor. I felt pressured into sacrificing the burnt offering.
Armies » March in ranks » David's attack upon the philistines
Once again David consulted Jehovah. Jehovah answered David: Do not attack them from here. Go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees. Attack when you hear the sound of marching in the treetops. I will be marching ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army. David did what Jehovah commanded. He drove the Philistines back from Geba all the way to Gezer.
Armies » March in ranks » Celerity of action » Abraham, in pursuit of chedorlaomer
Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive. Abram led his trained men, born in his house, three hundred eighteen of them, in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night. He and his servants routed them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at gibeah
The Israelites hid some soldiers around Gibeah. Then for the third straight day they marched against the army of Benjamin. They placed their soldiers in battle position facing Gibeah, as they had done before. The Benjaminites came out to fight and were drawn away from the city. Just as before they killed some Israelites in the open country, on the road to Bethel and on the road to Gibeah. They killed about thirty Israelites. read more.
The Benjaminites said: They are defeated just as before. But the Israelites planned to retreat and lead them away from the city onto the roads. The main army of the Israelites pulled back and regrouped at Baaltamar. The men surrounding Gibeah suddenly rushed out of hiding in the rocky country around the city. Ten thousand, specially chosen men, out of all Israel, attacked Gibeah, and the fighting was fierce. The Benjaminites did not realize they were about to be destroyed. Jehovah gave Israel victory over the army of Benjamin. The Israelites killed twenty five thousand one hundred of the enemy that day, The Benjaminites knew they were defeated. The main body of the Israelite army had retreated from the Benjaminites. This is because they relied on the men that were hiding around Gibeah. These men ran quickly toward Gibeah. They spread out and killed everyone there. The main Israelite army and the men in hiding had a prearranged signal. When they saw a big cloud of smoke going up from the town, the Israelites out on the battlefield were to turn around. By this time the Benjaminites had already killed the thirty Israelites. They told themselves: We have beaten them. The signal appeared. A cloud of smoke rose above the town. The Benjaminites looked behind them to see the whole city going up in flames. Then the Israelites turned around. The Benjaminites were thrown into panic because they could see that they were about to be destroyed. They retreated from the Israelites. They ran toward the open country and could not escape. They were caught between the main army and the men now coming out of the city. They were destroyed. The Israelites trapped the enemy. Without stopping they pursued them as far as a point east of Gibeah. They killed them as they advanced.
The Benjaminites said: They are defeated just as before. But the Israelites planned to retreat and lead them away from the city onto the roads. The main army of the Israelites pulled back and regrouped at Baaltamar. The men surrounding Gibeah suddenly rushed out of hiding in the rocky country around the city. Ten thousand, specially chosen men, out of all Israel, attacked Gibeah, and the fighting was fierce. The Benjaminites did not realize they were about to be destroyed. Jehovah gave Israel victory over the army of Benjamin. The Israelites killed twenty five thousand one hundred of the enemy that day, The Benjaminites knew they were defeated. The main body of the Israelite army had retreated from the Benjaminites. This is because they relied on the men that were hiding around Gibeah. These men ran quickly toward Gibeah. They spread out and killed everyone there. The main Israelite army and the men in hiding had a prearranged signal. When they saw a big cloud of smoke going up from the town, the Israelites out on the battlefield were to turn around. By this time the Benjaminites had already killed the thirty Israelites. They told themselves: We have beaten them. The signal appeared. A cloud of smoke rose above the town. The Benjaminites looked behind them to see the whole city going up in flames. Then the Israelites turned around. The Benjaminites were thrown into panic because they could see that they were about to be destroyed. They retreated from the Israelites. They ran toward the open country and could not escape. They were caught between the main army and the men now coming out of the city. They were destroyed. The Israelites trapped the enemy. Without stopping they pursued them as far as a point east of Gibeah. They killed them as they advanced.
Armies » March in ranks » A share the spoils
Jehovah spoke to Moses: You and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the families of the congregation take a count of the booty that was captured, both of man and of animal. Divide the booty between the warriors who went out to battle and the entire congregation. read more.
Levy a tax for Jehovah from the men of war who went out to battle, one in five hundred of the persons and of the cattle and of the donkeys and of the sheep. Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest, as an offering to Jehovah. From the sons of Israel's half, you shall take one drawn out of every fifty of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys and of the sheep, from all the animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah. Moses and Eleazar the priest did just as Jehovah commanded Moses. The booty that remained from the spoil the men of war had plundered was six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep, and seventy-two thousand cattle, and sixty-one thousand donkeys, and of human beings, of the women who had not known man intimately, all the persons were thirty-two thousand. The half, the portion of those who went out to war, was as follows: the number of sheep was three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred. Jehovah's levy of the sheep was six hundred and seventy-five. There were thirty-six thousand cattle, from which Jehovah's levy was seventy-two. There were thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, from which Jehovah's levy was sixty-one. There were sixteen thousand human beings, from whom Jehovah's levy was thirty-two persons. Moses gave the levy that was Jehovah's offering to Eleazar the priest, just as Jehovah had commanded Moses. And from the Israelites half, which Moses separated from the men who had gone to war. The congregation's half was three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep, and thirty-six thousand cattle, and thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, and the human beings were sixteen thousand. Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animals from the Israelite's half. He gave them to the Levites, who kept charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah, just as Jehovah commanded Moses.
Levy a tax for Jehovah from the men of war who went out to battle, one in five hundred of the persons and of the cattle and of the donkeys and of the sheep. Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest, as an offering to Jehovah. From the sons of Israel's half, you shall take one drawn out of every fifty of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys and of the sheep, from all the animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah. Moses and Eleazar the priest did just as Jehovah commanded Moses. The booty that remained from the spoil the men of war had plundered was six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep, and seventy-two thousand cattle, and sixty-one thousand donkeys, and of human beings, of the women who had not known man intimately, all the persons were thirty-two thousand. The half, the portion of those who went out to war, was as follows: the number of sheep was three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred. Jehovah's levy of the sheep was six hundred and seventy-five. There were thirty-six thousand cattle, from which Jehovah's levy was seventy-two. There were thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, from which Jehovah's levy was sixty-one. There were sixteen thousand human beings, from whom Jehovah's levy was thirty-two persons. Moses gave the levy that was Jehovah's offering to Eleazar the priest, just as Jehovah had commanded Moses. And from the Israelites half, which Moses separated from the men who had gone to war. The congregation's half was three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep, and thirty-six thousand cattle, and thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, and the human beings were sixteen thousand. Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animals from the Israelite's half. He gave them to the Levites, who kept charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah, just as Jehovah commanded Moses.
Armies » March in ranks » Forced marches
Jehovah raises up a flag for the nations far away. With a whistle he signals those at the ends of the earth. Look, they are coming very quickly! None of them grow tired or stumble. None of them slumber or sleep. The belts on their waists are not loose or their sandal straps broken.
Armies » March in ranks » Purifications
Everyone who killed a person or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp seven days. You and your prisoners of war must use the ritual water on the third and seventh days in order to take away your sin. You must do the same for all the clothes and everything made of leather, goats' hair, or wood. Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle: This is what Jehovah's Law told Moses to do: read more.
Only the gold and the silver, the copper, the iron, the tin and the lead, everything that can stand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it will be clean. It must be purified with water for impurity. Anything that cannot stand the fire you shall pass through the water. You must wash your clothes on the seventh day and be clean. After that you may enter the camp.
Only the gold and the silver, the copper, the iron, the tin and the lead, everything that can stand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it will be clean. It must be purified with water for impurity. Anything that cannot stand the fire you shall pass through the water. You must wash your clothes on the seventh day and be clean. After that you may enter the camp.
Armies » March in ranks » Delay
Hushai said: This time Ahithophel's advice is not very good. You know your father and his followers are mighty warriors. They are as fierce as a mother bear whose cubs have just been killed. Your father has a lot of experience in fighting wars. He will not spend the night with the others. He has no doubt already found a hiding place in a cave or somewhere else. When people hear that some of your soldiers have been killed, everyone will think your entire army has been destroyed. read more.
Even the bravest man with a heart like a lion would lose his courage. All Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and the men with him are brave. My advice is to gather all Israel's troops from Dan to Beersheba. They are as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Lead them into battle yourself. Find him and attack him! We will fall on him as dew falls on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. If he retreats into a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city and drag it into a valley. Not even a pebble will be found there. Absalom and all the people of Israel said: The advice of Hushai from Archi's family is better than Ahithophel's advice. Jehovah commanded Ahithophel's good advice to be defeated in order to ruin Absalom.
Even the bravest man with a heart like a lion would lose his courage. All Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and the men with him are brave. My advice is to gather all Israel's troops from Dan to Beersheba. They are as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Lead them into battle yourself. Find him and attack him! We will fall on him as dew falls on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. If he retreats into a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city and drag it into a valley. Not even a pebble will be found there. Absalom and all the people of Israel said: The advice of Hushai from Archi's family is better than Ahithophel's advice. Jehovah commanded Ahithophel's good advice to be defeated in order to ruin Absalom.
Armies » March in ranks » Divine assistance to » When aaron and hur held up moses' hands
As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel would win, but as soon as he put his hands down, the Amalekites would start to win. Finally, Moses was so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. They stood beside him and supported his arms in the same position until sunset.
Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Captains (rv margin, military tribunes) of
The Roman commander ordered his men to take Paul into the barracks. He told them to whip him in order to find out why the Jews were screaming like this against him. When they tied him up to be whipped Paul said to the officer standing there, Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman citizen who has not been tried for a crime? When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked him: What are you doing? That man is a Roman citizen! read more.
The commander went to Paul and asked him: Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? Yes, answered Paul. The commander said: I became one by paying a large amount of money. I am one by birth, Paul answered. At once the men who were going to question Paul drew back from him. The commander was frightened when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains.
The commander went to Paul and asked him: Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? Yes, answered Paul. The commander said: I became one by paying a large amount of money. I am one by birth, Paul answered. At once the men who were going to question Paul drew back from him. The commander was frightened when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains.
Armies » March in ranks » Joshua, against the amorites
The men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal saying: Do not abandon your servants. Come to us quickly and save us. Help us for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.
Armies » March in ranks » Composed of insurgents
David escaped from the town of Gath and he went to Adullam Cave. Once they found out where he was his brothers and the rest of his family followed him there. A lot of other people joined him too. Some were in trouble. Others were angry or in debt. David was soon the leader of four hundred men.
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at shechem
And the men of Shechem set men in ambush on the top of the mountains. They robbed all who came along that way. This was reported to Abimelech.
Abimelech and all his troops, in four companies, took up concealed positions at night against Shechem.
Armies » March in ranks » Among the syrians
The Syrians arose and fled while it was yet dark. They left their tents, and their horses, and their donkeys in the camp and fled for their lives. The lepers came to the edge of the camp. They went into one tent and ate and drank. They took silver and gold and clothing. They entered another tent and carried away spoil and hid it. They said to each other: We should not do this! We have good news. We should not keep it to ourselves. If we wait until morning to tell it we will be punished. Let us go tell the king's officers! read more.
They left the Syrian camp and went to Samaria. They called out to the guards at the gates: We went to the Syrian camp and did not see or hear anyone. The horses and donkeys have not been untied. The tents are just as the Syrians left them. The guards announced the news. It was reported in the palace. The king got out of bed even though it was night. He said to his officials: I will tell you what the Syrians are planning! They know about the famine here, so they have left their camp to go and hide in the countryside. They think that we will leave the city to find food. Then they will take us alive and capture the city. One of his servants said: The people in the city are doomed like those who have already died. Send some men with five of the horses that are left and find out what happened. They chose some men and the king sent them in two chariots with instructions to go and find out what had happened to the Syrian army. The men went to the Jordan. Along the road they saw the clothes and equipment that the Syrians had abandoned as they fled. Then they returned and reported to the king.
They left the Syrian camp and went to Samaria. They called out to the guards at the gates: We went to the Syrian camp and did not see or hear anyone. The horses and donkeys have not been untied. The tents are just as the Syrians left them. The guards announced the news. It was reported in the palace. The king got out of bed even though it was night. He said to his officials: I will tell you what the Syrians are planning! They know about the famine here, so they have left their camp to go and hide in the countryside. They think that we will leave the city to find food. Then they will take us alive and capture the city. One of his servants said: The people in the city are doomed like those who have already died. Send some men with five of the horses that are left and find out what happened. They chose some men and the king sent them in two chariots with instructions to go and find out what had happened to the Syrian army. The men went to the Jordan. Along the road they saw the clothes and equipment that the Syrians had abandoned as they fled. Then they returned and reported to the king.
Armies » March in ranks » With dancing
David returned from a campaign against the Philistines. That same day women from all of Israel's cities came to meet King Saul. They sang and danced. Tambourines, joyful music, and triangles accompanied them. The women who celebrated sang: Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands!
Armies » March in ranks » Of beth-el
The house of Joseph sent men to spy out Bethel. The spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said to him: Show us the entrance into the city, and we will show you mercy.
Armies » March in ranks » Stratagems » Ambushes, at ai
Do to Ai and her king what you did to Jericho and her king. Take the spoil and the cattle for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it. Joshua and all the people of war went up against Ai. Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night. He commanded them, saying: You shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city. Do not go very far from the city and be ready. read more.
I, and all the people that are with me, will approach the city. When they come out against us we will run away from them. They will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city. They will say: 'They run from us.' Therefore we will run before them. Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand. When you have taken the city you will set the city on fire according to the commandment of Jehovah. See, I have commanded you. Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered his men. He and the elders of Israel went in front of the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him went to the city. They set up camp on the north side of Ai. There was a valley between them and Ai. He took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They had the solders take up their positions those in camp to the north and the ambush to the west. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. When the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed headed for the plain. He did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten in front of them and ran away to the wilderness. All the people in Ai were called together to chase after them. They chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There was no man left in Ai or Bethel. They all went after Israel: and they left the city open. Jehovah said to Joshua: Stretch out the spear (javelin) that is in your hand toward Ai. I will give it to your hand. Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. The ambush began quickly. They ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand. They entered into the city, captured it and quickly set the city on fire. The men of Ai looked behind and saw the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. They had no power to run this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended they turned and killed the men of Ai. The men of the ambush came out of the city against them. They were caught in the middle with Israel on both sides. Israel killed them all. No one remained or escaped.
I, and all the people that are with me, will approach the city. When they come out against us we will run away from them. They will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city. They will say: 'They run from us.' Therefore we will run before them. Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand. When you have taken the city you will set the city on fire according to the commandment of Jehovah. See, I have commanded you. Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered his men. He and the elders of Israel went in front of the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him went to the city. They set up camp on the north side of Ai. There was a valley between them and Ai. He took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They had the solders take up their positions those in camp to the north and the ambush to the west. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. When the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed headed for the plain. He did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten in front of them and ran away to the wilderness. All the people in Ai were called together to chase after them. They chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There was no man left in Ai or Bethel. They all went after Israel: and they left the city open. Jehovah said to Joshua: Stretch out the spear (javelin) that is in your hand toward Ai. I will give it to your hand. Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. The ambush began quickly. They ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand. They entered into the city, captured it and quickly set the city on fire. The men of Ai looked behind and saw the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. They had no power to run this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended they turned and killed the men of Ai. The men of the ambush came out of the city against them. They were caught in the middle with Israel on both sides. Israel killed them all. No one remained or escaped.
Armies » March in ranks » Of laish
The people of Dan sent five qualified men out of all the families in the tribe from the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol with instructions to explore the land and spy on it. When they arrived in the mountains of Ephraim, they stayed at Micah's house. While they were at Micah's house, they recognized the accent of the young Levite, so they went up to him and asked: What are you doing here? Who brought you here? He answered: Micah and I have an arrangement. He pays me to serve as his priest. read more.
They said to him: Please ask God if our journey will be successful. The priest answered: Do not worry. Jehovah is taking care of you on this trip. So the five men left and traveled to the town of Laish. They saw how the people there lived in security like the Sidonians. They were a peaceful, quiet people, with no argument with anyone. They had all they needed. They lived far away from the Sidonians and had nothing to do with any other people. When the five men returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, the people asked them what they found. They said: Come and attack Laish. We saw the land, and it is very good. Do not stay here doing nothing. Enter and possess the land. When you go you will find a secure people who do not suspect a thing. It is a big country. God has given it to you and it has all you could want.
They said to him: Please ask God if our journey will be successful. The priest answered: Do not worry. Jehovah is taking care of you on this trip. So the five men left and traveled to the town of Laish. They saw how the people there lived in security like the Sidonians. They were a peaceful, quiet people, with no argument with anyone. They had all they needed. They lived far away from the Sidonians and had nothing to do with any other people. When the five men returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, the people asked them what they found. They said: Come and attack Laish. We saw the land, and it is very good. Do not stay here doing nothing. Enter and possess the land. When you go you will find a secure people who do not suspect a thing. It is a big country. God has given it to you and it has all you could want.
Armies » March in ranks » Of jerusalem
Now in the ninth year of his rule, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Jerusalem with all his army. He took his position and laid siege to it. They built earthworks all round the town. They surrounded the town and laid siege till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. On the ninth day of the fourth month, the store of food in the town was almost gone. There was no food for the people of the land.
Armies » March in ranks » Angel of the lord smites the assyrians
It happened that night. Jehovah's angel killed one hundred and eighty five thousand soldiers in the Assyrian camp. The next morning the Judeans saw all the corpses.
Armies » March in ranks » Officers consecrate themselves to God
There was Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve Jehovah with two hundred thousand fighting men.
Armies » March in ranks » Exhorted before battle
When you go to war against your enemies, you may see horses, chariots, and armies larger than yours. Do not be afraid of them for Jehovah your God, who brought you out of Egypt, will be with you. A priest must come and speak to the troops before the battle begins. He should say: Listen, Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not lose your courage! Do not be afraid. Do not tremble because of them. read more.
Jehovah your God is going with you. He will fight for you against your enemies and give you victory. The officers should speak to the army: If you have built a new house that has not been dedicated, you may go home. Otherwise, you might die in battle, and someone else will dedicate it. Have you planted a vineyard and not used its fruits? Go home to your house and vineyard. If you die in battle another man will use its fruit. Is there anyone here engaged to be married? If so, he should go home. Otherwise, if he is killed in battle, someone else will marry the woman he is engaged to. The officers will also say to the men: Is there any man here who has lost his nerve and is afraid? If so, he is to go home. Otherwise, he will destroy the morale of the others. When the officers finish speaking to the army, leaders are to be chosen for each unit.
Jehovah your God is going with you. He will fight for you against your enemies and give you victory. The officers should speak to the army: If you have built a new house that has not been dedicated, you may go home. Otherwise, you might die in battle, and someone else will dedicate it. Have you planted a vineyard and not used its fruits? Go home to your house and vineyard. If you die in battle another man will use its fruit. Is there anyone here engaged to be married? If so, he should go home. Otherwise, if he is killed in battle, someone else will marry the woman he is engaged to. The officers will also say to the men: Is there any man here who has lost his nerve and is afraid? If so, he is to go home. Otherwise, he will destroy the morale of the others. When the officers finish speaking to the army, leaders are to be chosen for each unit.
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at zemaraim
Jeroboam set an ambush to attack them from behind. So Jeroboam's army was in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.
Armies » March in ranks » With music
Armies » March in ranks » By jehoshaphat
As soon as they began singing, Jehovah confused the enemy camp,
Armies » March in ranks » Panics
One thousand people will flee when one person threatens them. You will flee when five threaten you. Then you will be left alone like a flagpole on top of a mountain, like a signpost on a hill.
Armies » March in ranks » Of ai
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel. He spoke to them: Go up and spy on the country. And the men went up and spied on Ai. They returned to Joshua, and said: Do not send all the people. Send about two or three thousand men to Ai to go up and capture Ai. Do not bother all the people for there are only a few there.
Armies » March in ranks » Children instructed in military arts
He told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow. It is written in the book of Jashar:
Armies » March in ranks » The confederated kings
So Joshua and all the people of war with him came up against them. Suddenly they attacked them by the waters of Merom.
Armies » March in ranks » Sieges
In the tenth month of the ninth year that Zedekiah was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia came with his whole army and attacked Jerusalem.
Armies » March in ranks
He will direct the blow of his battering rams against your walls. He will break down your towers with his axes.
He led them by way of the desert by the Red Sea. The Israelites were armed for battle.
Armies » March in ranks » Among the midianites
Armies » March in ranks » Flanks called wings
It will sweep through Judah. It will overflow and pass through. It will be neck-high. Its outspread wings will extend over your entire country, O Immanuel.
Armies » March in ranks » Holiness encouraged
Guard yourself from every evil thing when your army goes to war against your enemies.