Armies

• Antiquity of Gen. 14:1-8
• Ancient, often numerous Josh. 11:4; 1 Sam. 13:5
• Of different nations often confederated Josh. 9:2, 10:5; Judg. 3:13; 1 Ki. 20:1
• Troops often hired for 1 Chr. 19:7; 2 Chr. 25:6
• WERE COMPOSED OF
  • Bowmen and slingers 1 Chr. 12:2; Jer. 4:29
  • Spearmen or heavy troops Ps. 68:30; Acts 23:23
  • Cavalry Ex. 14:9; 1 Ki. 20:20
  • War chariots Josh. 17:16; Judg. 4:3
• Often consisted of the whole effective strength of nations Num. 21:23; 1 Sam. 29:1
• Furnished with standards Song 6:4; Isa. 10:18; Jer. 4:21
• Accompanied by beasts of burden and wagons for baggage Judg. 7:12; 2 Ki. 7:7; Ezek. 23:24
• Generally in three divisions Gen. 14:15; Job 1:17
• WERE LED BY
  • Kings in person 2 Ki. 18:13, 25:1
  • Experienced captains 2 Ki. 18:17, 24
• CALLED THE
  • Wings of a nation Isa. 8:8; Jer. 48:40
  • Power of Kings 2 Chr. 32:9
  • Hosts Josh. 10:5; Judg. 8:10
  • Bands 2 Ki. 24:2; 1 Chr. 7:4
• Began their campaigns in the spring 2 Sam. 11:1
• Often went on foreign service Jer. 5:15, 50:3
• MARCHED
  • Often in open line Hab. 1:6, 8
  • With order and precision Isa. 5:27; Joel 2:7,8
  • With rapidity Jer. 48:40; Hab. 1:8
  • With noise and tumult Isa. 17:12,13; Joel 2:5
• EMPLOYED IN
  • Fighting battles 1 Sam. 17:2,3; 1 Chr. 19:17
  • Besieging cities Dt. 20:12; Isa. 29:3
  • Assaulting cities Josh. 7:3,4; Judg. 9:45
• Often surprised their enemies Josh. 8:2; 2 Chr. 13:13; Jer. 51:12
• Commenced battles with a shout 1 Sam. 17:20; 2 Chr. 13:15; Jer. 51:14
• Toil and fatigue often endured by Ezek. 29:18
• Divided the spoil Ex. 15:9; Zech. 14:1
• Sent out foraging parties 2 Ki. 5:2
• Exercised savage cruelties on the vanquished Jer. 50:42; Lam. 5:11-13; Amos 1:13
• Frequently the instrument of God's vengeance Isa. 10:5,6 Isa. 13:5
• In latter ages received pay Lk. 3:14; 1 Cor. 9:7
• ENCAMPED
  • In the open fields 2 Sam. 11:11; 1 Chr. 11:15
  • Before cities Josh. 10:5; 1 Sam. 11:1
• Fear occasioned by Num. 22:3; Jer. 6:25
• Devastation occasioned by Isa. 37:18; Jer. 5:17
• OFTEN DESTROYED BY
  • Their enemies Ex. 17:13; Josh. 10:10, 20; Judg. 11:33; 2 Sam. 18:7; 1 Ki. 20:21
  • Themselves through divine intervention Judg. 7:22; 1 Sam. 14:15,16; 2 Chr. 20:23
  • Supernatural means Josh. 10:11; 2 Ki. 19:35
• Brought their idols with them 1 Chr. 14:12
• COMPARED TO
  • Whirlwinds Jer. 25:32
  • Waters of a river Isa. 8:7
  • Caterpillars Jer. 51:14, 27
  • Grasshoppers Judg. 6:3-5, 7:12
  • Locusts Isa. 33:4; Rev. 9:3, 7
  • Flies Isa. 7:18,19
  • Clouds Ezek. 38:9-16
  • Overflowing torrents Isa. 28:2; Dan. 11:10, 26
• ILLUSTRATIVE OF
  • Multitudes of angels 1 Ki. 22:19; Ps. 148:2; Dan. 4:35; Mt. 26:53
  • The Church Dan. 8:10-13; Song 6:4, 10
  • Numerous and heavy afflictions Job 19:12