Scripture describes the strategies employed by Israel in warfare. Although recognising the importance of military preparation, Scripture stresses that Israel's trust is to be in God, rather than military might or prowess.
Preparations for warfare
Holding a council of war
Proverbs 20:18 See also Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 24:6; Luke 14:31–32
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
Assembling an army
2 Samuel 18:1 See also Numbers 1:2–3; 1 Samuel 11:6–8; 2 Chronicles 25:5–6, 2 Chronicles 26:11–14; Daniel 11:10–13
Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of thousands and of hundreds.
Reconnaissance
Numbers 21:32 See also Deuteronomy 1:22; Joshua 2:1, Joshua 7:2–3; Judges 7:9–11, Judges 18:2, Judges 18:5–10
After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.
Avoiding warfare
Making a treaty
Joshua 9:15 See also Genesis 26:28–29; Joshua 10:1; 1 Samuel 11:1; 1 Kings 5:12
And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
Representative combat
1 Samuel 17:8–10 See also 2 Samuel 2:12–17
And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and array yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and work for us.” Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!”
Strategies employed in warfare
Dividing into groups
Judges 9:43–44 See also Genesis 14:14–15, Genesis 32:7–8; Judges 7:16–21; 1 Samuel 11:11; 2 Samuel 18:1–2
So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down.
Attacking by night
Judges 7:19 The Hebrews divided the night into three watches. See also Genesis 14:14–15; 1 Samuel 14:36; Jeremiah 6:5
Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands.
Setting an ambush
2 Chronicles 13:13–14 See also Joshua 8:4–7; Judges 9:34, Judges 9:42–44, Judges 20:29–44
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets,
Swiftness of action
Joshua 8:19 See also Joshua 10:6–9, Joshua 11:7; 2 Samuel 5:22–25
and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire.
Trusting in God in warfare
Of greater importance than military might or prowess
Deuteronomy 20:1; Psalm 20:7 See also 1 Samuel 17:45–47; Psalm 33:16–17, Psalm 147:10–11; Zechariah 4:6
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.
Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Demonstrated by seeking God before a battle
Judges 1:1 See also Judges 20:27–28; 2 Samuel 5:18–19, 2 Samuel 5:22–25
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?”
Strengthened by seeing God fighting for Israel
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.