Throughout their history, Israel and Judah contended with enemies committed to their destruction, finding refuge only in their covenant-keeping God.
Enemies of Israel
The Egyptians
Exodus 1:8–11, Exodus 14:9; 1 Kings 14:25 parallel 2 Chronicles 12:2; 2 Chronicles 36:3
The Amalekites
The Edomites
Sihon, king of the Amorites
Og, king of Bashan
The Canaanites and the surrounding nations
The Syrians (Arameans)
Judges 3:8; 1 Kings 11:25, 1 Kings 20:1; 2 Kings 6:8, 2 Kings 6:24, 2 Kings 24:2; 2 Chronicles 28:5
The Moabites
Judges 3:12; 2 Kings 1:1, 2 Kings 24:2
The Ammonites
Judges 3:13, Judges 10:9; 2 Samuel 10:6 parallel 1 Chronicles 19:6; 2 Kings 24:2
The Midianites
The Philistines
Judges 10:7–8; 1 Samuel 4:1–2, 1 Samuel 17:1–2, 1 Samuel 31:1; 2 Samuel 5:17, 2 Samuel 8:1, 2 Samuel 21:15, 2 Samuel 21:18 parallel 1 Chronicles 20:4
The Assyrians
2 Kings 15:19, 2 Kings 15:29, 2 Kings 17:3–6, 2 Kings 18:13
The Babylonians
2 Kings 24:1, 2 Kings 25:1; 2 Chronicles 36:5–7, 2 Chronicles 36:15–20
Those opposed to the rebuilding under Ezra and Nehemiah
Ezra 4:4–6, Ezra 5:3; Nehemiah 2:10
Haman the Persian
The Greeks
The Romans
Characteristics of Israel's enemies
They were often more numerous than Israel
1 Samuel 13:5 See also Nahum 1:12
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
They were often better equipped
Joshua 17:16 See also 1 Samuel 13:19–22
“The hill country is not enough for us,” they replied, “and all the Canaanites who live in the valley have iron chariots, both in Beth-shean with its towns and in the Valley of Jezreel.”
They were cruel and oppressive
Jeremiah 6:23 See also Exodus 6:5–9; Deuteronomy 28:33; Judges 6:2–6; Jeremiah 50:42; Habakkuk 1:6
They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Zion.”
They were cunning
With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish,
They were determined to destroy Israel
saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
They were often in league with each other
See also Psalm 83:5–8
God helped Israel against her enemies
He opposed Israel's enemies
Genesis 12:3 See also Exodus 23:22
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
He protected Israel
Deuteronomy 23:14; Nehemiah 4:15, Nehemiah 6:16; Psalm 125:2; Isaiah 51:22, Isaiah 59:19
He delivered Israel
Numbers 10:9; 1 Samuel 12:11; 2 Kings 17:39; Luke 1:71
He gave Israel victory
Exodus 23:27 See also Leviticus 26:7–8; Numbers 10:35; Deuteronomy 6:19, Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 60:12 parallel Psalm 108:13; Psalm 68:1; Isaiah 54:15
I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn and run.
He destroyed Israel's enemies
Exodus 15:6 See also Deuteronomy 20:17, Deuteronomy 30:7; Joshua 10:19; 2 Chronicles 20:29; Psalm 44:5
Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.
He gave Israel rest
Deuteronomy 12:10 See also Deuteronomy 25:19; 1 Kings 5:3–4; 1 Chronicles 22:9
When you cross the Jordan and live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He gives you rest from all the enemies around you and you dwell securely,
Israel's attitude towards her enemies
Israel was not to fear them
Deuteronomy 20:1–4 See also 1 Samuel 17:45–47
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”
Israel was to pray for deliverance
1 Kings 8:33–34 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:24–25; 1 Kings 8:37–40 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:28–31; Ezra 8:22–23; Psalm 74:3, Psalm 74:10, Psalm 74:18, Psalm 74:22–23
Kindness was to be shown to Israel's enemies
Exodus 23:4–5; 2 Kings 6:21–23; Proverbs 25:21–22; Romans 12:20
Thanksgiving for victory over Israel's enemies
Giving thanks to God was the proper response to victory
Exodus 15:1 See also 2 Samuel 8:11–12 parallel 1 Chronicles 18:11; Psalm 136:24
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.
Israel often forgot to give thanks to God
God used enemies to chastise Israel
Deuteronomy 28:47–48 See also Leviticus 26:44 Because of his covenant, the LORD was unwilling to destroy Israel completely at the hand of her enemies; Deuteronomy 28:53; Judges 2:10–23, Judges 6:1; Isaiah 8:5–8
Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance, you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.