Armies
1. Antiquity of. Ge 14:1-8.
2. Ancient, often numerous. Jos 11:4; 1Sa 13:5.
3. Of different nations often confederated. Jos 9:2; 10:5; Jdj 3:13; 1Ki 20:1.
4. Troops often hired for. 1Ch 19:7; 2Ch 25:6.
5. Were composed of
a. Bowmen and slingers. 1Ch 12:2; Jer 4:29.
b. Spearmen or heavy troops. Ps 68:30; Ac 23:23.
c. Cavalry. Ex 14:9; 1Ki 20:20.
d. War chariots. Jos 17:16; Jdj 4:3.
6. Often consisted of the whole effective strength of nations. Nu 21:23; 1Sa 29:1.
7. Furnished with standards. Song 6:4; Isa 10:18; Jer 4:21.
8. Accompanied by beasts of burden and wagons for baggage. Jdj 7:12; 2Ki 7:7; Eze 23:2.
9. Generally in three divisions. Ge 14:15; Job 1:17.
10. Were led by
a. Kings in person. 2Ki 18:13; 25:1.
b. Experienced captains. 2Ki 18:17,24.
11. Called the
a. Wings of a nation. Isa 8:8; Jer 48:40.
b. Power of Kings. 2Ch 32:9.
c. Hosts. Jos 10:5; Jdj 8:10.
d. Bands. 2Ki 24:2; 1Ch 7:4.
12. Began their campaigns in the spring. 2Sa 11:1.
13. Often went on foreign service. Jer 5:15; 50:3.
14. Marched
a. Often in open line. Hab 1:6,8.
b. With order and precision. Isa 5:27; Joe 2:7,8.
c. With rapidity. Jer 48:40; Hab 1:8.
d. With noise and tumult. Isa 17:12,13; Joe 2:5.
15. Employed in
a. Fighting battles. 1Sa 17:2,3; 1Ch 19:17.
b. Besieging cities. De 20:12; Isa 29:3.
c. Assaulting cities. Jos 7:3,4; Jdj 9:45.
16. Often surprised their enemies. Jos 8:2; 2Ch 13:15; Jer 51:12.
17. Commenced battles with a shout. 1Sa 17:20; 2Ch 13:15; Jer 51:14.
18. Toil and fatigue often endured by. Eze 29:18.
19. Divided the spoil. Ex 15:9; Zec 14:1.
20. Sent out foraging parties. 2Ki 5:2.
21. Exercised savage cruelties on the vanquished. Jer 50:42; La 5:11-13; Am 1:13.
22. Frequently the instrument of God’s vengeance. Isa 13:5.
23. In latter ages received pay. Lu 3:14; 1Co 9:7.
24. Encamped
a. In the open fields. 2Sa 11:11; 1Ch 11:15.
b. Before cities. Jos 10:5; 1Sa 11:1.
25. Fear occasioned by. Nu 22:3; Jer 6:25.
26. Devastation occasioned by. Isa 37:18; Jer 5:17.
27. Often destroyed by
a. Their enemies. Ex 17:13; Jos 10:10,20; Jdj 11:33; 2Sa 18:7; 1Ki 20:21.
b. Themselves through divine intervention. Jdj 7:22; 1Sa 14:15,16; 2Ch 20:23.
c. Supernatural means. Jos 10:11; 2Ki 19:35.
d. Brought their idols with them. 1Ch 14:12.
28. Compared to
a. Whirlwinds. Jer 25:32.
b. Waters of a river. Isa 8:7.
c. Caterpillars. Jer 51:14,27.
d. Grasshoppers. Jdj 6:3-5; 7:12.
e. Locusts. Isa 33:4; Re 9:3,7.
f. Flies. Isa 7:18,19.
g. Clouds. Eze 38:9-16.
h. Overflowing torrents. Isa 28:2; Da 11:10,26.
29. Illustrative of
a. Multitudes of angels. 1Ki 22:19; Ps 148:2; Da 4:35; Mt 26:53.
b. The Church. Da 8:10-13; Song 6:4,10.
c. Numerous and heavy afflictions. Job 19:12.