Armies of Israel, The

First mention of — Ex 7:4.

Collected by

Sound of trumpets. — Jdj 3:27; 6:34.

Special messengers. — Jdj 6:35; 2Sa 20:14.

Extraordinary means. — Jdj 19:29; 20:1; 1Sa 11:7.

Enroled by the chief scribe — 2Ki 25:19.

Called

The host. — De 23:9; 1Sa 28:19.

The armies of the living God. — 1Sa 17:26.

Composed of infantry. — Nu 11:21; Jdj 5:15.

Horsemen and chariots introduced into, after David’s reign. — 1Ki 1:5; 4:26.

Divided into

Three divisions. — Jdj 7:16; 1Sa 11:11.

Van and rear. — Jos 6:9.

Companies of thousands, &c. — Nu 31:14; 2Ki 1:9,11; 1Ch 13:1; 27:1.

Commanded by the captain of the host — 2Sa 2:8; 17:25; 20:23.

Often led by the king in person — 1Sa 8:20; 15:4,5; 2Sa 12:29; 1Ki 22:1-53.

Inferior officers of, appointed by

The chief officers. — De 20:9.

The king. — 2Sa 18:1; 2Ch 25:5.

The captain of the host. — 2Sa 18:11; 2Ki 4:13.

Persons liable to serve in — Nu 1:2,3.

Persons exempted from serving in

Who had built a house. — De 20:5.

Who had planted a vineyard. — De 20:6.

Who were lately betrothed. — De 20:7.

Who were newly married. — De 24:5.

Refusing to join, stigmatised — Jdj 5:15-17.

Refusing to join, often punished — Jdj 21:5,8-11; 1Sa 11:7.

The fearful allowed to leave — De 20:8; Jdj 7:3.

Sometimes consisted of the whole nation — Jdj 20:11; 1Sa 11:7.

Strict discipline observed in — Jos 7:16-21; 1Sa 14:24-44.

Educated in the art of war — Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3.

Often supplied with arms from public armouries — 2Ch 11:12; 26:14.

Before going to war

Were numbered and reviewed. — 2Sa 18:1,2,4; 1Ki 10:15,27.

Required to keep from iniquity. — De 23:9.

Consulted the Lord. — Jdj 1:1; 20:27,28.

Encouraged by their commanders. — 2Ch 20:20.

Ark of God frequently brought with — Jos 6:6,7; 1Sa 4:4,5; 2Sa 11:11; 15:24.

Attended by priest with trumpets — Nu 10:9; 31:6; 2Ch 13:13,14.

Praises of God often sung before — 2Ch 20:21,22.

Often disposed to battle with Judgment, &c — 2Sa 10:9.

Bravery and fidelity in, rewarded — Jos 15:16; 1Sa 17:25; 18:17; 2Sa 18:11; 1Ch 11:6.

Men selected from, for difficult enterprises — Ex 17:9; Nu 31:5,6; Jos 7:4; 8:3; Jdj 7:5,6; 2Sa 17:1.

Directed in their movements by God — Jos 8:1,2; Jdj 1:2; 2Sa 5:25; 1Ch 14:16.

With the aid of God all-powerful — Le 26:3,7,8; De 7:24; 32:30; Jos 1:5.

Without God easily overcome — Le 26:17; Nu 14:42,45.

Mode of supplying

Food brought by themselves. — Jos 1:11.

Food sent by their families. — 1Sa 17:17.

Contribution levied. — Jdj 8:5; 1Sa 25:4-8.

By presents. — 2Sa 17:27-29.

Congratulated on returning victorious — 1Sa 18:6,7; Ex 15:1-21.

Purified on returning from war — Nu 31:19-24.

Disbanded after war — 1Sa 13:2; 1Ki 22:36.

Part of, retained in times of peace by the kings — 1Sa 13:1,2; 1Ch 27:1-15.