Topical Bible: Armies: Often Surprised Their Enemies

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Throughout the biblical narrative, the element of surprise in military engagements is a recurring theme. The Bible records numerous instances where armies, often under divine guidance, achieved victory by catching their enemies off guard. These accounts highlight the strategic and providential aspects of warfare in biblical times.

Gideon's Victory over the Midianites

One of the most notable examples of surprise in battle is the account of Gideon and his 300 men against the Midianites. In Judges 7, God instructs Gideon to reduce his army to a mere 300 men to ensure that Israel would recognize the victory as the Lord's doing. Gideon divides his men into three companies, each equipped with trumpets and empty jars with torches inside. During the night, they surround the Midianite camp and, at Gideon's signal, blow the trumpets, break the jars, and shout, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" (Judges 7:20). The Midianites, caught by surprise and in confusion, turn on each other, leading to a decisive victory for Israel.

Jonathan and His Armor-Bearer

In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and his armor-bearer launch a surprise attack on a Philistine outpost. Without informing his father, Jonathan approaches the Philistine garrison, trusting in the Lord's ability to save "by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6). The two men reveal themselves to the Philistines, who invite them to come up. Jonathan and his armor-bearer climb up and attack, killing about twenty men. This unexpected assault causes panic in the Philistine camp, leading to a broader victory for Israel as the Philistines turn against each other in confusion.

David's Tactical Maneuvers

David, known for his military prowess, often employed surprise tactics. In 2 Samuel 5, after being anointed king over all Israel, David faces the Philistines who spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. David inquires of the Lord, who instructs him not to attack directly but to circle around and attack from the rear, near the balsam trees. The Lord promises to go before David, and when David hears the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, he is to act quickly. This surprise maneuver results in a significant victory over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:23-25).

Jehoshaphat's Victory through Praise

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faces a vast coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. After seeking the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Jahaziel, who assures the king that the battle belongs to God. Jehoshaphat appoints singers to go before the army, praising the Lord. As they begin to sing and praise, the Lord sets ambushes against the enemy forces, who are thrown into confusion and destroy each other. The element of surprise here is not in a military tactic but in the unexpected power of worship and divine intervention.

The Fall of Jericho

The fall of Jericho in Joshua 6 is another instance where surprise plays a crucial role. The Israelites, following God's unusual instructions, march around the city once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. On the seventh day, after the final circuit, the priests blow the trumpets, and the people shout. The walls of Jericho collapse, allowing the Israelites to take the city by surprise. This unconventional strategy, directed by God, underscores the element of surprise and divine intervention in achieving victory.

These accounts demonstrate that in biblical warfare, the element of surprise was often a key factor in achieving victory. Whether through unconventional tactics, divine intervention, or the power of faith and worship, the armies of Israel frequently caught their enemies off guard, leading to triumphs that underscored the sovereignty and power of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 8:2
And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take for a prey to yourselves: lay you an ambush for the city behind it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 13:15
Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 51:12
Set up the standard on the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD has both devised and done that which he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Mystery
... plant." Let not any one now be surprised that fire ... former; it is not customary for
such armies to be ... whether that signification of street is often found among ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery.htm

Chapter xiv
... narrative is a bit diffuse, as is often the case ... of the attacking kings (or of their
armies, perhaps, if ... Strange to say, criticism is surprised that three men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... They listened to him and were surprised at his teaching ... word "Gethsemane" means
"oil press." Jesus often went to ... he would send to me armies upon armies of angels ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

The Provinces.
... Darius was very much surprised at this result, and ... of the king in the maintenance
of their armies. ... of absolute and irresponsible power so often engenders in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter v the provinces.htm

A Little Maid
... for it was not confined to the armies that fought ... seven times in Jordan," he was
surprised and angry ... possessions." We know that Eastern princes often said such ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/a little maid.htm

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
... and what is its errand, he may be surprised or he ... The greatest disadvantage that
armies have gotten hath been after ... knew this, prayer would not so often be a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi and watch unto.htm

"Thy King Cometh"
... They are surprised and disappointed to see His eyes ... raised His hand,"that had so
often blessed the ... He saw Jerusalem encompassed with armies, the besieged ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 63 thy king cometh.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... The flourishing city of Mentz was surprised and destroyed ... power was extended by these
armies, which till ... New Jerusalem, as other enthusiasts have often attempted ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

The Christian Described
... edicts against them, yea, and raise up armies, and what ... Paul tells us, he was "in
watchings often;" surely it was ... show thee that God hath so surprised thee and ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Prayers Answered
... He was greatly surprised when the bank loan fell due to ... prayers more than she did
all the armies of Europe ... She had prayed often, and often had answers, but this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/prayers answered.htm