Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5608 warfare, strategies in

5608 warfare, strategies in

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5605 warfare » 5608 warfare, strategies in

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

Assembling an army

2 Samuel 18:1 See also Numbers 1:2-3; 1 Samuel 11:6-8; 2 Chronicles 25:5-6; 2 C 11-14; Daniel 11:10-13

Reconnaissance

Numbers 21:32 See also Deuteronomy 1:22; Joshua 2:1; Joshua 7:2-3; Judges 7:9-11; Judges 18:2,5-10

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

Representative combat

1 Samuel 17:8-10 See also 2 Samuel 2:12-17

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

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

Setting an ambush

2 Chronicles 13:13-14 See also Joshua 8:4-7; Judges 9:34,42-44; Judges 20:29-44

Swiftness of action

Joshua 8:19 See also Joshua 10:6-9; Joshua 11:7; 2 Samuel 5:22-25

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

Demonstrated by seeking God before a battle

Judges 1:1 See also Judges 20:27-28; 2 Samuel 5:18-19,22-25

Strengthened by seeing God fighting for Israel

Exodus 14:29-31; Joshua 10:10-14; 2 Kings 19:35