Topical Bible: Armies: Began Their Campaigns in the Spring

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the ancient Near East, the timing of military campaigns was often dictated by seasonal changes, with spring being the preferred time for armies to commence their operations. This practice is reflected in several biblical narratives and is rooted in both practical and cultural considerations.

Biblical Context

The Bible provides insight into the timing of military campaigns, particularly in the context of the Israelite monarchy. One of the most notable references is found in 2 Samuel 11:1: "In the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem" . This passage highlights the customary practice of launching military campaigns in the spring, a time when weather conditions were more favorable for travel and combat.

Practical Considerations

Spring was an ideal time for military campaigns due to several practical reasons. The winter rains would have subsided, making roads and fields more navigable for troops and chariots. Additionally, the spring season marked the end of the agricultural cycle, allowing soldiers, who were often also farmers, to leave their fields after planting crops. This timing ensured that the army could be mobilized without jeopardizing the community's food supply.

Cultural and Strategic Factors

The decision to begin campaigns in the spring also had cultural and strategic dimensions. In the ancient world, warfare was not only a matter of survival but also a demonstration of power and divine favor. By aligning military activities with the renewal of the natural world, kings and leaders could symbolize their strength and vitality. Moreover, launching campaigns in the spring allowed for extended military operations throughout the summer, maximizing the potential for territorial expansion and resource acquisition.

Historical Examples

The practice of beginning campaigns in the spring is not unique to Israel but was common among other ancient Near Eastern cultures. The Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians also timed their military activities to coincide with favorable seasonal conditions. This widespread practice underscores the importance of environmental factors in ancient warfare.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the timing of military campaigns in the spring can be seen as part of God's providential ordering of the world. The cyclical nature of seasons reflects the divine design, and the success or failure of military endeavors was often interpreted as a sign of God's favor or disfavor. In the case of King David, his decision to remain in Jerusalem during the campaign against the Ammonites led to personal and national consequences, as detailed in the subsequent narrative of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-27).

Conclusion

The biblical practice of beginning military campaigns in the spring is a reflection of the interplay between human agency and divine sovereignty. It illustrates how the natural order, cultural norms, and theological beliefs were intertwined in the lives of the ancient Israelites and their neighbors.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 11:1
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Conquest of Lydia.
... The two armies accordingly halted and began to prepare ... were about to transfix Croesus
with their spears, when ... of both enemies and favorites, began to consider ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vii the conquest of.htm

The Burning of Athens.
... were very ready to guide the armies of Xerxes ... arrangements for removing their families
and their own effects to ... When the Persians began to draw near, a prodigy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter x the burning of.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... storing of supplies to be used by the armies of Ramses ... Only the man would be changed;
some began to be more ... if a dumb blasphemy rankled hidden in their breasts ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

Quirinius the Governor of Syria
... after point and town after town in their large territory ... exercising this delegated
Hegemonia over the armies of the ... a system in which the years began before 2nd ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 11 quirinius the governor.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... it is probable that these relations began in the ... side, which thus permitted caravans
or armies to reach ... He captured their towns one after another, razed their ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Middle Colonies: the Jerseys, Delaware, and Pennsylvania --The ...
... with fire and sword by the French armies in 1688 ... presbytery of Laggan had brought
over to their aid that ... was not until 1718 that this migration began in earnest ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter ix the middle colonies .htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Hadrach, in 765 and 755, which brought his armies right up ... and cavalry of Urartu
gave way and the rout began. The victors made their way into the camp at the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... of serving as a base of operations for his armies. ... He began by inspecting the citadels
flanking the line ... the country than the Aramaeans in their turn crossed ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Memphite Empire
... rain are not infrequent in winter and spring, but the ... comes to an end almost as quickly
as it began. ... Each of their campaigns, which hardly lasted more than a ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Canaan
... and fifteenth centuries before our era; its armies made their ... were a nation of warriors,
and their forces were ... The Philistines began to dream of conquering the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm