Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the organization and leadership of the armies of Israel were of paramount importance, reflecting both the divine mandate and the practical necessities of governance and warfare. The inferior officers, often referred to as captains or commanders, played a crucial role in the military hierarchy, serving under the supreme command of the king and his appointed generals.
Appointment by the KingThe appointment of these officers was a royal prerogative, underscoring the centralized authority of the monarchy in military matters. The king, as the anointed leader of Israel, held the responsibility of ensuring that the army was led by capable and loyal men. This practice is evident in several biblical accounts where kings personally selected military leaders to command various divisions of their forces.
Biblical ExamplesOne notable example is found in the reign of King David, who meticulously organized his military forces. In
1 Chronicles 27, the structure of David's army is detailed, highlighting the division of the army into units led by commanders appointed by the king. These commanders were responsible for leading their men in battle and maintaining order within their ranks.
In
2 Samuel 18:1, we see David organizing his troops for battle against Absalom: "Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of hundreds and of thousands." This passage illustrates the hierarchical structure of the army, with commanders of varying ranks overseeing different numbers of soldiers, all under the king's authority.
Role and ResponsibilitiesThe inferior officers were tasked with executing the king's military strategies, maintaining discipline among the troops, and ensuring the readiness of their units for battle. Their leadership was crucial in implementing the king's directives and achieving victory in warfare. These officers were often chosen for their proven loyalty, courage, and experience in battle, qualities that were essential for maintaining the effectiveness and morale of the army.
Divine Sanction and AuthorityThe appointment of military officers by the king was not merely a matter of political expediency but was also seen as an extension of divine authority. The king, as God's chosen ruler, was expected to lead the nation in accordance with divine will, and this included the selection of military leaders. The success of the army was often attributed to the king's faithfulness to God and the righteousness of his leadership.
In summary, the inferior officers of the armies of Israel, appointed by the king, were integral to the military and spiritual life of the nation. Their selection and leadership were vital to the defense and expansion of the kingdom, reflecting both the king's authority and the divine mandate under which he ruled.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Samuel 18:1And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds over them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook2 Chronicles 25:5
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Footnotes
... General Assembly, a committee was appointed, on the ... Gataker's "God's Eye on his
Israel","preface, Lond ... of state proceedings, and suffering officers to preach ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm
The Seven Trumpets.
... bishops, with many thousands of the inferior clergy, were ... Mohammedan power was extended
by these armies, which till ... God said to Israel, after the evil report ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm
Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... penalties thereof: And he of the king's officers, that refused ... another, as the captivity
of Israel did seem ... of the earth, and their armies, gathered together ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm
The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... many more light troops, and was scarcely inferior in numbers ... Delos, and he promised
that his armies on land ... At the hour appointed for the ceremonies, the great ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm
Preface by the Editor.
... different parts of Scotland; three different armies, without concert ... Sion of the
Holy One of Israel."(12). ... the consideration of one of the inferior church courts ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/preface by the editor.htm
The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... Zabdanu and one of the great officers of the ... Their armies were modelled on similar
lines, and consisted of ... of Hamath and masters of half Israel, were powerful ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the head of his own contingent.* Their armies were made ... disaster they had formerly
inflicted on Israel, is supposed ... when the Jews, without any king or settled ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm
Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... The two armies met and there was a fearful slaughter ... that Cautinus be removed and
himself be appointed bishop of Arverne.(227) But when the king laughed at ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... dated "the year in which the King Ammisatana repaired ... gave a loyal obedience to the
officers sent them ... concentration, under one head, of armies hitherto owning ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... capable of meeting on equal terms the armies of Damascus ... that the owners of landed
estate in Israel, who were ... More than one of these officers had already turned ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm
Resources
What does the Bible mean when it calls God the “LORD of hosts”? | GotQuestions.orgWho was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSurviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.orgArmies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus