Berean Study Bible Laws of WarfareIsrael would face real military threats as it entered and lived in the Promised Land. War was a common reality among the surrounding nations, whether through invasion, defense, or conflict over territory. Num 10:9 When you enter into battle, sound short blasts… and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, Horses and chariots gave enemy armies speed, mobility, and striking power. Israel’s forces could appear greatly outmatched against established armies equipped with such resources. Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses… do not be afraid of them; Israel was not to judge the outcome by enemy numbers or weapons. Fear would overlook the Lord’s power and His covenant commitment to His people. Deu 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified… for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, The exodus remained the decisive proof that the Lord could defeat a stronger enemy and preserve Israel. Egypt had been far more powerful than the former slaves it pursued, yet the Lord delivered them completely. Exo 20:2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out… is with you. God’s presence, not military advantage, was Israel’s true security. The same Lord who redeemed them from Egypt would go with them in the conflicts ahead, foreshadowing Emmanuel, “God with us.” Jos 1:5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life.… When you are about to go into battle, Israel’s wars included the conquest of Canaan and the defense of the land God had given them. Before fighting, the people were to recognize that the outcome depended on the LORD rather than military strength alone. Num 10:9 When you enter into battle, sound short blasts… the priest is to come forward The priest represented the covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel. His presence reminded the army that they marched under God’s authority and were accountable to His commands. Num 10:8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets.… and address the army, He was to strengthen the soldiers by directing their confidence toward the LORD, who had delivered Israel from Egypt and promised to fight for His people. 2Sa 10:12 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people… saying to them, The priest appointed to accompany Israel’s army addressed the men before battle, reminding them that their conflict was carried out under the authority of the Lord. 2Ch 32:6-8 Hezekiah appointed military commanders over the people… “Hear, O Israel, All Israel was called to give careful attention as the nation prepared to enter the land God had promised. Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. today you are going into battle with your enemies. The danger was immediate, and Israel would face peoples established in fortified cities with greater military strength. Deu 9:1 Hear, O Israel: Today you are about to cross the Jordan… Do not be fainthearted or afraid; Their courage was not to rest on numbers, weapons, or experience, but on the Lord who had brought them out of Egypt and led them to this point. Isa 7:4 Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened… do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. The enemies’ appearance and power were not to govern Israel’s response, for God had pledged to be with His people and to secure their victory. Deu 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified… For the LORD your God Israel’s strength rested on the covenant God who had redeemed them from Egypt and claimed them as His people. Deu 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified… goes with you As they entered Canaan, the Lord would not abandon them but would lead and sustain them in the dangers ahead. Deu 31:8 The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you.… to fight for you Israel’s victories were to come from God’s power, not from superior numbers, weapons, or strategy. Jos 23:10 One of you can put a thousand to flight,… against your enemies, The nations occupying the land opposed Israel’s entrance into the inheritance God had given them. Exo 23:22 But if you will listen carefully to his voice… to give you the victory.” The outcome of Israel’s battles ultimately depended on the Lord, who would fulfill His promise to establish His people in the land. 1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory… Furthermore, the officers are to address the army, saying, Military officers proclaimed the exemptions God provided before Israel went to war. Their announcement preserved order in the ranks and ensured that the army was formed according to the Lord’s commands. Jos 1:10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: “Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? A newly built home marked the beginning of a household and a family’s settled life in the land. Dedicating it acknowledged God’s provision and set the home into its intended use. 1Ki 8:63 And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD… Let him return home, Israel’s law recognized that a man should not be taken into battle before establishing the household he had begun. The exemption also prevented military service from becoming an unnecessary burden on families. Jdg 7:3 Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men:… or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. War involved real danger, and a man could lose the opportunity to enjoy the work God had enabled him to complete. The command showed concern for the individual soldier while reminding Israel that life and its outcomes remained under God’s authority. 1Sa 31:6 So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer… Has any man planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy its fruit? A vineyard required years of cultivation before producing a harvest. Since it represented substantial labor, provision, and future security, a man who had not yet eaten from it had not received the ordinary benefit of his work. Deu 28:30 You will be pledged in marriage to a woman.… Let him return home, Israel’s law recognized that military duty did not erase every personal and household responsibility. A man in this circumstance was permitted to remain with his family and establish the life for which he had labored. Jdg 7:3 Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men:… or he may die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit. The exemption acknowledged the real danger of war and prevented a man from being sent into battle before receiving the produce of his own land. It also showed that Israel’s army was not to be enlarged at the expense of ordinary justice and household stability. 2Sa 11:14-17 The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab… Has any man become pledged to a woman and not married her? Betrothal in Israel was a binding covenant that established the couple’s future marriage, though they had not yet begun life together as husband and wife. It carried legal and social obligations, and ending it required divorce. Deu 22:23-27 If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man… Let him return home, God allowed the betrothed man to leave military service so he could complete his marriage and establish his household. Deu 24:5 If a man is newly married, he must not be sent to war… or he may die in battle and another man marry her.” His death would leave the woman free to marry another, while he would never fulfill the commitment he had made. The law showed regard for both the man’s household and the woman’s future security. 2Sa 11:26-27 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead,… Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, Israel’s officers carried out the commands announced by the priests, organizing the fighting men and addressing matters that affected the readiness of the camp. War in Israel was conducted under God’s authority, and the army was expected to enter battle with order, confidence, and obedience. Jos 3:2-4 After three days the officers went through the camp… “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Battle exposed men to real danger, and fear could quickly weaken an entire force. The officers openly acknowledged that some men lacked the courage needed for combat. Deu 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified… Let him return home, A fearful man was permitted to leave rather than be compelled to fight. This preserved the strength of the army and spared him from serving in a condition that could endanger others. Jdg 7:3 Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men:… so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.” Fear was contagious among troops facing an enemy. Removing the fainthearted protected the resolve of those who remained and helped preserve unity in the ranks. Jos 2:11 When we heard this, our hearts melted… When the officers have finished addressing the army, The officers announced lawful exemptions for men whose family and household responsibilities required their presence at home. Once these matters were settled, the remaining force could be organized without uncertainty or divided loyalties. Jos 1:10-11 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people:… they are to appoint commanders to lead it. Commanders were then placed over the troops to establish order, direct the ranks, and carry out the battle plan. Israel’s army was not an uncontrolled militia but a structured force under appointed leaders, responsible to govern the men entrusted to them. Exo 18:21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people… When you approach a city to fight against it, Israel’s armies would encounter fortified cities throughout the land God was giving them. Warfare in the ancient world often involved sieges, negotiations, and the surrender of a city before an assault began. Israel’s campaigns were not independent conquests but part of God’s judgment on the Canaanite nations and His fulfillment of His promise to give the land to Abraham’s descendants. Deu 2:26 So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers… you are to make an offer of peace. Before battle, Israel was to offer terms of surrender. A city that accepted would submit to Israel and serve under its authority rather than face destruction. The command restrained unnecessary bloodshed and showed that judgment was not carried out without an opportunity for submission. 2Ki 18:31-32 Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king… If they accept your offer of peace Israel was to seek surrender before attacking cities outside the land of Canaan. Peace spared the city from siege and death while requiring its submission to Israel’s authority. Jos 9:15 And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live… and open their gates, Opening the gates was a public act of surrender. A fortified city that received Israel’s terms abandoned resistance and acknowledged Israel’s victory without battle. Jer 21:8-10 Furthermore, you are to tell this people… all the people there will become forced laborers The inhabitants would be placed under tribute and required to provide labor for Israel. This was a common form of subjection in the ancient world and distinguished peaceful surrender from the destruction that followed continued resistance. 1Ki 9:20-21 As for all the people who remained of the Amorites… to serve you. Their service marked their new position under Israel’s rule. Israel was not authorized to make such terms with the Canaanite nations within the promised land, whose judgment was specifically commanded because of their entrenched wickedness. Jos 9:23-27 Now therefore you are under a curse, and… But if they refuse to make peace with you Israel was to offer peace before attacking cities outside the land of Canaan. If a city rejected those terms, it chose conflict rather than submission and peaceful relations. Jos 11:19-20 No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites… and wage war against you, A hostile response authorized Israel to fight in defense of the nation and in obedience to God’s command. Peace was preferred, but refusal and armed resistance brought the consequences of war. Jos 10:1-4 Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua… lay siege to that city. Israel was to surround the city and cut off its ability to resist until it surrendered. Siege warfare was a common ancient military practice, requiring patience, discipline, and the organized strength of the army. Ezk 4:2 Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall,… When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, Israel’s victory was to be received as God’s work, not merely the result of military strength. The command assumes that the Lord rules over nations and grants success to His people according to His covenant purposes. Jos 6:2 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered… you must put every male to the sword. For cities outside the land of Canaan that rejected Israel’s offer of peace, the men were to be killed after the city fell. This removed the immediate military threat and established Israel’s security in a hostile region. The women, children, livestock, and goods were treated differently, as the following verse explains. Num 31:7 Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had… But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, For cities outside the land of Canaan that rejected Israel’s offer of peace, the Israelites were permitted to take the surviving people and material goods after the men had been defeated. Unlike the Canaanite cities marked for complete destruction because of their entrenched wickedness, these cities were not placed under the same ban. Livestock, food, tools, and valuables strengthened Israel’s households and sustained the nation during its settlement of the land. Num 31:9-11 The Israelites captured the Midianite women… and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. Israel was not to regard victory or its benefits as the product of military strength alone. The land, the victory, and the resources gained from battle belonged ultimately to the LORD, who gave them to His people. The command also placed the use of plunder under God’s authority rather than personal greed or uncontrolled violence. Jos 8:1-2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid… This is how you are to treat God gave Israel clear instructions for warfare, requiring them to act under His authority rather than according to surrounding customs. Deu 13:15 you must surely put the inhabitants of that city… all the cities that are far away from you These were cities beyond Canaan, outside the land assigned to Israel. They could be offered terms of peace before battle. Jos 9:6 They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said… and do not belong to the nations nearby. The Canaanite nations within the promised land were treated differently because God had appointed judgment on them for their persistent idolatry and corruption. Israel was not to adopt their practices or compromise its covenant loyalty to the Lord. Exo 23:31-33 And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea…… However, in the cities of the nations The Canaanite cities within the Promised Land were occupied by peoples whose idolatry, violence, and immorality had reached the point of divine judgment. Israel was not to make treaties with them or absorb their religious practices. Deu 7:1-2 When the LORD your God brings you into the land… that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, The land belonged to the Lord and was given to Israel in fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their possession of it depended on God’s faithfulness and required their obedience to Him. Deu 4:21 The LORD, however, was angry with me because of you… you must not leave alive anything that breathes. Israel was commanded to carry out the Lord’s judgment completely. The destruction of the Canaanite population was meant to remove the corrupting influence of their worship and prevent Israel from turning from the Lord. Jos 10:40 So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country… For you must devote them to complete destruction— Israel was to remove the Canaanite peoples from the land entirely, devoting them to God by completely destroying them (herem), carrying out God’s judgment against nations whose long-standing wickedness had reached its full measure. Their destruction also prevented Israel from being drawn into the idolatry and immoral practices that characterized Canaanite religion. Deu 7:2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you… the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites— These were established peoples living throughout Canaan, each associated with cities, territories, and pagan worship. The Hittites were connected with the wider Hittite world of Anatolia and Syria, while the Jebusites held Jerusalem until David captured the city and made it his capital. Their inclusion identifies the inhabitants Israel would encounter as it entered the promised land. Exo 23:23 For My angel will go before you, and bring you into the land… as the LORD your God has commanded you, The conquest was undertaken under God’s direct command and in keeping with His promise to give Canaan to Abraham’s descendants. Israel was not acting for territorial ambition but was required to obey the covenant Lord who had set them apart as His people. Deu 5:32 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you;… so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, The Canaanite nations practiced forms of idolatry that included child sacrifice, sexual rites, and other acts forbidden by God. Their removal was intended to prevent Israel from absorbing these customs after settling in the land. Israel was to remain distinct from the surrounding peoples, worshiping the LORD according to His commands rather than adopting the religious practices of Canaan. Deu 12:31 You must not worship the LORD your God in this way,… and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God. Idolatry would violate Israel’s covenant with the LORD, who alone had redeemed them and claimed their worship. If Israel embraced Canaanite worship, it would bring them under God’s judgment and undermine the holy society they were commanded to establish in the land. Exo 23:33 They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you… When you lay siege to a city for an extended time while fighting against it to capture it, Israel’s armies would sometimes face fortified cities that required a lengthy siege. Even in war, God placed limits on destruction and required His people to act with restraint. 2Ki 25:1-2 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem… you must not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, Fruit trees were not to be cut down for military purposes. They were a lasting source of food and represented the land’s continued productivity after the conflict ended. 2Ki 3:19 And you shall attack every fortified city and every city… because you can eat their fruit. The trees could supply the army during the siege and provide food for those who would later live in the land. Destroying them would harm Israel’s own future as well as the surrounding region. Lev 19:23-25 When you enter the land and plant any kind of tree for food…… You must not cut them down. The repeated command stresses that military victory did not justify needless damage to what God had provided for human life. Gen 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree… Are the trees of the field human, that you should besiege them? Trees were not enemies and should not be treated as though they had taken part in the city’s resistance. Israel was permitted to use nonfruit-bearing trees for siege works, but fruit-bearing trees were to be preserved. Jdg 9:8-15 One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves.… But you may destroy the trees that you know do not produce fruit. During a siege, Israel was permitted to cut down nonfruit trees for military purposes while preserving orchards that would sustain the land and its future inhabitants. Fruit trees provided food, trade goods, and long-term stability, so their protection prevented needless devastation after victory. Mat 3:10 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees,… Use them to build siege works against the city that is waging war against you, Timber from nonfruit trees could be used for siege ramps, towers, barricades, and other structures needed to overcome fortified cities. Israel was to act with practical wisdom in war, using available resources without destroying what God had given for ongoing provision in the land. Jer 6:6 For this is what the LORD of Hosts says:… until it falls. The siege was to continue until the hostile city was captured. The command reflects the reality of ancient warfare and the certainty of God’s judgment on the Canaanite nations whose persistent wickedness had brought them under judgment. 2Ki 25:1-4 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. 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