Armies of Israel, The

• First mention of Ex. 7:4
• COLLECTED BY
  • Sound of trumpets Judg. 3:27, 6:34
  • Special messengers Judg. 6:35; 2 Sam. 20:14
  • Extraordinary means Judg. 19:29, 20:1; 1 Sam. 11:7
• Enrolled by the chief scribe 2 Ki. 25:19
• CALLED
  • The host Dt. 23:9; 1 Sam. 28:19
  • The armies of the living God 1 Sam. 17:26
• Composed of infantry Num. 11:21; Judg. 5:15
• Horsemen and chariots introduced into, after David's reign 1 Ki. 1:5, 4:26
• DIVIDED INTO
  • Three divisions Judg. 7:16; 1 Sam. 11:11
  • Van and rear Josh. 6:9
  • Companies of thousands, &c Num. 31:14; 2 Ki. 1:9, 11; 1 Chr. 13:1, 27:1
• Commanded by the captain of the host 2 Sam. 2:8, 17:25, 20:23
• Often led by the king in person 1 Sam. 8:20, 15:4,5; 2 Sam. 12:29; 1 Ki. 22:1-53
• INFERIOR OFFICERS OF, APPOINTED BY
  • The chief officers Dt. 20:9
  • The king 2 Sam. 18:1; 2 Chr. 25:5
  • The captain of the host 2 Sam. 18:11; 2 Ki. 4:13
• Persons liable to serve in Num. 1:2,3
• PERSONS EXEMPTED FROM SERVING IN
  • Who had built a house Dt. 20:5
  • Who had planted a vineyard Dt. 20:6
  • Who were lately betrothed Dt. 20:7
  • Who were newly married Dt. 24:5
• Refusing to join, stigmatized Judg. 5:15-17
• Refusing to join, often punished Judg. 21:5, 8-11; 1 Sam. 11:7
• The fearful allowed to leave Dt. 20:8; Judg. 7:3
• Sometimes consisted of the whole nation Judg. 20:11; 1 Sam. 11:7
• Strict discipline observed in Josh. 7:16-21; 1 Sam. 14:24-44
• Educated in the art of war Isa. 2:4; Mic. 4:3
• Often supplied with arms from public armories 2 Chr. 11:12, 26:14
• BEFORE GOING TO WAR
  • Were numbered and reviewed 2 Sam. 18:1,2, 4; 1 Ki. 10:15, 27
  • Required to keep from iniquity Dt. 23:9
  • Consulted the Lord Judg. 1:1, 20:27,28
  • Encouraged by their commanders 2 Chr. 20:20
• Ark of God frequently brought with Josh. 6:6,7; 1 Sam. 4:4,5; 2 Sam. 11:11, 15:24
• Attended by priest with trumpets Num. 10:9, 31:6; 2 Chr. 13:13,14
• Praises of God often sung before 2 Chr. 20:21,22
• Often disposed to battle with Judgment, &c 2 Sam. 10:9
• Bravery and fidelity in, rewarded Josh. 15:16; 1 Sam. 17:25, 18:17; 2 Sam. 18:11; 1 Chr. 11:6
• Men selected from, for difficult enterprises Ex. 17:9; Num. 31:5,6; Josh. 7:4, 8:3; Judg. 7:5,6; 2 Sam. 17:1
• Directed in their movements by God Josh. 8:1,2; Judg. 1:2; 2 Sam. 5:25; 1 Chr. 14:16
• With the aid of God all-powerful Lev. 26:3, 7,8; Dt. 7:24, 32:30; Josh. 1:5
• Without God easily overcome Lev. 26:17; Num. 14:42, 45
• MODE OF SUPPLYING
  • Food brought by themselves Josh. 1:11
  • Food sent by their families 1 Sam. 17:17
  • Contribution levied Judg. 8:5; 1 Sam. 25:4-8
  • By presents 2 Sam. 17:27-29
• Congratulated on returning victorious 1 Sam. 18:6,7; Ex. 15:1-21
• Purified on returning from war Num. 31:19-24
• Disbanded after war 1 Sam. 13:2; 1 Ki. 22:36
• Part of, retained in times of peace by the kings 1 Sam. 13:1,2; 1 Chr. 27:1-15