Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of armies marching in ranks often signifies order, discipline, and the execution of a strategic plan. However, there are instances where these armies are composed of insurgents—rebels who rise against established authority. The Bible provides several examples of such insurgencies, where groups of people, often driven by discontent or a desire for power, organize themselves into military formations to challenge existing leadership.
One notable example is the rebellion of Absalom against his father, King David. Absalom, driven by ambition and a sense of injustice, gathered a following to overthrow David's rule. In
2 Samuel 15:12-13 , it is recorded, "While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing." This passage highlights how Absalom's insurgent army grew in number and strength, marching in ranks to challenge the king.
Another instance is the revolt led by Sheba, son of Bichri, against David. In
2 Samuel 20:1-2 , it states, "Now a wicked man named Sheba, son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and said, 'We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!' So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri." Here, Sheba's call to arms led to the formation of an insurgent group that marched in ranks against the established monarchy.
The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron is another example of an insurgent movement. In
Numbers 16:1-3 , it is written, "Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly. They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, 'You have gone too far! All the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?'" This passage illustrates how Korah and his followers organized themselves in opposition to the divinely appointed leadership.
These examples demonstrate that insurgent armies in the Bible often arise from a combination of personal ambition, perceived injustice, and a desire for power. They march in ranks, reflecting a semblance of order and purpose, yet their actions are ultimately rebellious against God's established order. The Bible consistently portrays such insurgencies as challenges not only to human authority but also to divine will, often resulting in divine judgment or intervention.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Samuel 22:1,2David therefore departed there, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Their force was composed of about 25,000 hoplites, and ... of Delos, and he promised
that his armies on land ... never advance further than three days' march from the ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm
Footnotes
... which it is probable he never composed a single ... He died at Edinburgh, in March 1681
(Laws Memorialis ... But Colonel Wallace, who commanded the insurgents on that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm
The Reaction against Egypt
... continued, in spite of them, to march southward, and ... Lycians, Mysians, Dardanians,
were the national armies of these ... first year of Seti, among the ranks of the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... hand when the fear alone of the Assyrian armies would no ... delay: "Go, do not hesitate,
for we march with thee ... were required to fill the vacancies in the ranks. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm
Resources
Who was Chedorlaomer / Kedorlaomer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the heavenly hosts? | GotQuestions.orgDoes China have a role in the end times? | GotQuestions.orgArmies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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