Armies

Antiquity of — Ge 14:1-8.

Ancient, often numerous — Jos 11:4; 1Sa 13:5.

Of different nations often confederated — Jos 9:2; 10:5; Jdj 3:13; 1Ki 20:1.

Troops often hired for — 1Ch 19:7; 2Ch 25:6.

Were composed of

Bowmen and slingers. — 1Ch 12:2; Jer 4:29.

Spearmen or heavy troops. — Ps 68:30; Ac 23:23.

Cavalry. — Ex 14:9; 1Ki 20:20.

War chariots. — Jos 17:16; Jdj 4:3.

Often consisted of the whole effective strength of nations — Nu 21:23; 1Sa 29:1.

Furnished with standards — Song 6:4; Isa 10:18; Jer 4:21.

Accompanied by beasts of burden and wagons for baggage — Jdj 7:12; 2Ki 7:7; Eze 23:2.

Generally in three divisions — Ge 14:15; Job 1:17.

Were led by

Kings in person. — 2Ki 18:13; 25:1.

Experienced captains. — 2Ki 18:17,24.

Called the

Wings of a nation. — Isa 8:8; Jer 48:40.

Power of Kings. — 2Ch 32:9.

Hosts. — Jos 10:5; Jdj 8:10.

Bands. — 2Ki 24:2; 1Ch 7:4.

Began their campaigns in the spring — 2Sa 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; Joe 2:7,8.

With rapidity. — Jer 48:40; Hab 1:8.

With noise and tumult. — Isa 17:12,13; Joe 2:5.

Employed in

Fighting battles. — 1Sa 17:2,3; 1Ch 19:17.

Besieging cities. — De 20:12; Isa 29:3.

Assaulting cities. — Jos 7:3,4; Jdj 9:45.

Often surprised their enemies — Jos 8:2; 2Ch 13:15; Jer 51:12.

Commenced battles with a shout — 1Sa 17:20; 2Ch 13:15; Jer 51:14.

Toil and fatigue often endured by — Eze 29:18.

Divided the spoil — Ex 15:9; Zec 14:1.

Sent out foraging parties — 2Ki 5:2.

Exercised savage cruelties on the vanquished — Jer 50:42; La 5:11-13; Am 1:13.

Frequently the instrument of God’s vengeance — Isa 13:5.

In latter ages received pay — Lu 3:14; 1Co 9:7.

Encamped

In the open fields. — 2Sa 11:11; 1Ch 11:15.

Before cities. — Jos 10:5; 1Sa 11:1.

Fear occasioned by — Nu 22:3; Jer 6:25.

Devastation occasioned by — Isa 37:18; Jer 5:17.

Often destroyed by

Their enemies. — Ex 17:13; Jos 10:10,20; Jdj 11:33; 2Sa 18:7; 1Ki 20:21.

Themselves through divine intervention. — Jdj 7:22; 1Sa 14:15,16; 2Ch 20:23.

Supernatural means. — Jos 10:11; 2Ki 19:35.

Brought their idols with them. — 1Ch 14:12.

Compared to

Whirlwinds. — Jer 25:32.

Waters of a river. — Isa 8:7.

Caterpillars. — Jer 51:14,27.

Grasshoppers. — Jdj 6:3-5; 7:12.

Locusts. — Isa 33:4; Re 9:3,7.

Flies. — Isa 7:18,19.

Clouds. — Eze 38:9-16.

Overflowing torrents. — Isa 28:2; Da 11:10,26.

Illustrative of

Multitudes of angels. — 1Ki 22:19; Ps 148:2; Da 4:35; Mt 26:53.

The Church. — Da 8:10-13; Song 6:4,10.

Numerous and heavy afflictions. — Job 19:12.