Topical Bible: Armies: Often Destroyed by Supernatural Means

◄ Armies: Often Destroyed by Supernatural Means ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Throughout the biblical narrative, the destruction of armies by supernatural means serves as a testament to the power and sovereignty of God. These events underscore the belief that victory in battle is not determined by human strength or numbers but by divine intervention and the will of God. The following are notable instances where armies were supernaturally defeated, as recorded in the Scriptures.

The Egyptian Army at the Red Sea

One of the most dramatic examples of supernatural intervention is the destruction of the Egyptian army during the Exodus. As the Israelites fled Egypt, Pharaoh's forces pursued them to the Red Sea. God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, parting the waters and allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. When the Egyptians followed, the waters returned, engulfing the entire army. Exodus 14:28 states, "The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived."

The Assyrian Army under Sennacherib

In 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37, the Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem. King Hezekiah prayed for deliverance, and the prophet Isaiah assured him of God's intervention. That night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. 2 Kings 19:35 records, "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!"

The Midianites Defeated by Gideon

In Judges 7, God called Gideon to lead a small force against the Midianites. To demonstrate that victory was by His hand, God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men. Armed with trumpets, jars, and torches, Gideon's men surrounded the Midianite camp. At Gideon's signal, they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars, causing confusion and panic among the Midianites, who turned on each other. Judges 7:22 states, "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set every man’s sword against his fellow throughout the camp, and the army fled."

The Canaanite Kings Defeated by Joshua

In Joshua 10, five Amorite kings waged war against Gibeon, an ally of Israel. Joshua led the Israelites in battle, and God intervened by hurling large hailstones from the sky, killing more of the enemy than the Israelites did by the sword. Additionally, God extended the day by causing the sun to stand still, allowing Israel more time to achieve victory. Joshua 10:11 states, "As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites."

The Philistines Routed by Thunder

In 1 Samuel 7, the Israelites, under the leadership of Samuel, faced the Philistines. As Samuel offered a sacrifice, the LORD thundered with a mighty sound, throwing the Philistines into confusion and allowing the Israelites to defeat them. 1 Samuel 7:10 states, "While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel."

These accounts highlight the recurring theme of divine intervention in battles, emphasizing that the LORD is the ultimate source of deliverance and victory for His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 10:11
And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven on them to Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 19:35
And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Oracles.
... only of these articles which was destroyed and lost ... erroneously taught in infancy,
and that, often, in cases ... to encourage them to enlist in his armies, and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vi the oracles.htm

The Revolt of Babylon.
... return, and that Babylon itself should afterward be destroyed. ... If they had risen
when his armies were around him ... Portents and prophecies are often the causes of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

The Burning of Athens.
... when going forth on great campaigns, often considered their ... were very ready to guide
the armies of Xerxes ... which could be carried away, and destroyed what they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter x the burning of.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... both with the sea for having destroyed the structure ... at least in England and America,
armies are recruited by ... as a means of temporary and often vicious pleasure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

Three Youths Save Constantinople
... Discontent, revenge, ambition, and evil counsels destroyed in him ... He and Tribigild
carried their armies across the ... I have often heard him groaning in his room ...
/.../chapter xxxii three youths save.htm

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
... Hasty marriage is too often followed by hasty repentance. ... with an invasion by the
united armies of Syria ... the kingdoms of Syria and Israel should be destroyed. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ix annunciation to joseph of.htm

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
... feel it until his kingdom is destroyed (Hebrews 2 ... satisfy our sense of duty is often
more pleasant ... Their cities, lands and people, their armies, treasures and ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xix jesus tempted in the.htm

New Testament History and Prophecy.
... kings and dynasties; a beast is often the emblem ... is the restoration of the nation,
destroyed and scattered ... They started with their armies from Antioch in March ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter x new testament history.htm

The Bible in the Life of To-Day
... not the changes of our times destroyed its possibilities of ... out in the plain the
main armies have laid ... Yale professor of literature, quoted so often, says: "It ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture vi the bible in.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... below, inspired him with the desire and suggested the means of opening ... It is often
mentioned in ... two Truths, I bring unto you Truth, I have destroyed sins for ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm