Defeat of Great Kings
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The theme of the defeat of great kings is a recurring motif throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the fulfillment of His promises to His people. This theme is particularly evident in the accounts of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan and other battles where God intervenes on behalf of His chosen people.

Conquest of Canaan

The book of Joshua provides a detailed account of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, where numerous kings and their armies were defeated. Joshua 12 lists thirty-one kings conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. This list serves as a testament to God's promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:18-21). The defeat of these kings underscores God's faithfulness in delivering the land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

One of the most notable victories is the fall of Jericho, where the walls of the city collapsed after the Israelites marched around them for seven days, as instructed by God (Joshua 6:1-20). This miraculous event highlights God's direct intervention and the importance of obedience to His commands.

The Defeat of Og and Sihon

Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites defeated two significant kings east of the Jordan River: Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. These victories are recounted in Numbers 21:21-35 and Deuteronomy 3:1-11. The defeat of these kings is significant because it provided the Israelites with territory that would become part of the inheritance for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

The defeat of Og, in particular, is emphasized due to his reputation as a giant and the strength of his kingdom. Deuteronomy 3:11 notes, "For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed was made of iron; it is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites. It is nine cubits long and four cubits wide by the standard cubit." This victory demonstrated God's power over formidable foes and reassured the Israelites of His ability to deliver them from any adversary.

Gideon's Victory over the Midianite Kings

In the book of Judges, Gideon's victory over the Midianites is another example of the defeat of great kings. With only 300 men, Gideon defeated the vast Midianite army, including their kings Zebah and Zalmunna (Judges 7-8). This victory was achieved through God's guidance and miraculous intervention, as the Midianites were thrown into confusion and turned against each other.

Gideon's triumph illustrates the principle that victory does not depend on human strength or numbers but on reliance on God. Judges 7:2 states, "The LORD said to Gideon, 'You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands. Israel might boast against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’"

David's Defeat of Goliath

The defeat of Goliath by David is one of the most famous biblical accounts of overcoming a great adversary. Goliath, a Philistine giant, challenged the armies of Israel, and his defeat by the young shepherd David is recorded in 1 Samuel 17. David's victory was not due to his own strength or skill but his faith in God. He declared to Goliath, "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head" (1 Samuel 17:46).

David's triumph over Goliath serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable challenges and the importance of faith and trust in Him.

Conclusion

The defeat of great kings throughout the Bible serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and His commitment to fulfilling His promises. These accounts encourage believers to trust in God's power and faithfulness, regardless of the challenges they face.
Subtopics

Defeat

Related Terms

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)

Antiochus

Ptolemy

Parthians (1 Occurrence)

Asmoneans

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)

Lysias (3 Occurrences)

Jael (6 Occurrences)

Amalek (35 Occurrences)

Demetrius (3 Occurrences)

Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)

Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)

Amorites (82 Occurrences)

Chaldea (8 Occurrences)

Elamites (2 Occurrences)

Cyrus (20 Occurrences)

Nabathaeans

Nabataeans

Jarmuth (7 Occurrences)

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)

Esdraelon

Medeba (5 Occurrences)

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)

Amalekite (12 Occurrences)

Aristobulus (1 Occurrence)

Aretas (1 Occurrence)

Adonibezek (2 Occurrences)

Ammonite (22 Occurrences)

Azekah (7 Occurrences)

Shavehkiriathaim

Shaveh-kiriathaim (1 Occurrence)

Salamis (1 Occurrence)

Samuel (129 Occurrences)

Per'izzites (21 Occurrences)

Elam (24 Occurrences)

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)

Prayer (406 Occurrences)

Damascus (58 Occurrences)

Maccabaeus

Hittites (39 Occurrences)

Armenia (2 Occurrences)

Great (10383 Occurrences)

Hazael (23 Occurrences)

Maccabees

David (1052 Occurrences)

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

Defeating (6 Occurrences)

Defeat (16 Occurrences)

Alexander (5 Occurrences)

Ammon (100 Occurrences)

Kingdom (409 Occurrences)

Assyria (124 Occurrences)

Judah (802 Occurrences)

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)

Syria (73 Occurrences)

Hoham (1 Occurrence)

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Vassals (1 Occurrence)

Zur (9 Occurrences)

Zephathah (1 Occurrence)

Zobah (15 Occurrences)

Zebul (5 Occurrences)

Zabadaeans

Kadesh (30 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-ar'ba (9 Occurrences)

Kidron (11 Occurrences)

Nahash (9 Occurrences)

Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences)

Naphish (3 Occurrences)

Untoward (1 Occurrence)

Orontes

Oreb (4 Occurrences)

Omri (16 Occurrences)

Odomera

Og (22 Occurrences)

Jebusites (29 Occurrences)

Defeat of Evil
Top of Page
Top of Page