The concept of a surprise attack followed by a victory is a recurring theme in the Bible, illustrating God's sovereignty, the importance of faith, and the fulfillment of divine promises. These narratives often highlight the unexpected ways in which God delivers His people and demonstrates His power over their enemies.

1. Joshua and the Battle of Jericho

One of the most famous surprise attacks in the Bible is the Battle of Jericho. Under God's command, Joshua led the Israelites in a seemingly unconventional military strategy. For six days, the Israelites marched around the city once each day, and on the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times. At Joshua's command, the priests blew their trumpets, and the people shouted, causing the walls of Jericho to collapse. This miraculous victory is recorded in Joshua 6:20: "So when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted a loud shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it."

2. Gideon and the Midianites

Gideon's victory over the Midianites is another example of a surprise attack orchestrated by God. Despite having a small army of 300 men, Gideon was instructed by God to attack the Midianite camp at night. Armed with trumpets, empty jars, and torches, Gideon's men created confusion and fear among the Midianites, leading to their defeat. Judges 7:20-21 describes the scene: "The three companies blew their trumpets and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands, they shouted, 'A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!' Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran."

3. Jonathan and the Philistines

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, initiated a surprise attack against the Philistines with his armor-bearer. Trusting in God's ability to save "by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6), Jonathan and his companion climbed a cliff to reach the Philistine outpost. Their boldness and faith resulted in a panic among the Philistines, leading to a significant victory for Israel. 1 Samuel 14:13-15 recounts the event: "Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in an area of half an acre. Then panic struck the whole Philistine army."

4. David and the Amalekites

David's surprise attack on the Amalekites is another instance of divine intervention leading to victory. After discovering that the Amalekites had raided Ziklag and taken captives, David sought the Lord's guidance. God instructed him to pursue the raiders, promising success. David's forces caught the Amalekites off guard, resulting in a complete victory and the recovery of all the captives and plunder. 1 Samuel 30:16-18 describes the outcome: "He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking, and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and none of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled. David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken."

5. Jehoshaphat and the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites

King Jehoshaphat faced a coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites who came to make war against Judah. In response, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. God assured them of victory without the need for battle. As the people of Judah began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy, leading to their self-destruction. 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 states: "As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another."

These accounts of surprise attacks and victories underscore the biblical principle that success is not dependent on human strength or strategy but on obedience to God and reliance on His power. Through these narratives, the Bible teaches that God is the ultimate source of victory, often working in unexpected ways to fulfill His purposes and deliver His people.