Wars in Bible

Every battle in the Bible

This is a list of every battle in the OT. It is part of my biblical-theological analysis of the theology of War in the Bible. You can find my initial summary of the OT theology of war here.

In short, I argue that the Old Testament history shows that war was part of God’s gift of the land to Israel. Now that we have the greater gift of Jesus, and the final battle over sin has been won, there is no justification for evangelical, bible-believing Christians to engage in war. For a more detailed argument, see my article A Defence of Christian Pacifism or my longer Honours Thesis (pdf).

Passage
Enemy
Result
God’s involvementComments
Gen 14:1-20Nations near Sodom and GomorrahWonAbraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek and Melchizedek attributes the victory to God (Gen 14:19-20)

Gen 34??
Ex 17:8-15AmalekitesWonWhile Moses’ arms were raised, Israel won
Num 14:39-45(Deut 1:41-46)Amalekites(Amorites)LostGod commands them not to fight
Num 21:1-3CanaanitesWon‘The LORD listened to Israel’s request, the Canaanites were defeated, and Israel completely destroyed them and their cities.”‘ (v3)
Num 21:21-35(Deut 3:1-6)Amorites, BashanWon‘The LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have handed him over to you along with his whole army and his land.”‘ (v34)
Num 31:1-8MidianitesWon‘The LORD spoke to Moses, “Execute vengeance for the Israelites against the Midianites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.”‘ (vv1-2)
Josh 6JerichoWonDirect commands from God, and miraculous destruction of the walls
Josh 7:1-12AiLostGod says the reason for loss is that Israel had kept the plunder from Jericho against God’s command (vv11-12)
Josh 8:1-24AiWonAfter fixing the plunder issue, God commands Joshua to attack and gives strategic commands (vv1-8, 18)
Josh 10:1-13Amorite kingsWonGod says that he will defeat them, throws them into confusion, then sends hail storms. The stun stands still until the battle is finished. (v8-13)
Josh 10:28-43List of cities conquered“Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.” (v42)
Josh 11:1-23Large coalition of kings, followed by various victories.Won“The LORD handed them over to Israel” (v8)” For it was the LORD’s intention to harden their hearts so that they would engage Israel in battle, be completely destroyed without mercy, and be annihilated, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.” (v20)
Judges 1:1-5Canaanites and PerizzitesWon“The LORD handed the Canaanites and Perizzites over to them” (v4)
Judges 1:8-2:3List of battles and land were taken, and nations that Israel failed to drive outMixed“The LORD was with Judah and enabled them to take possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the people who were living in the valley because those people had iron chariots.” (v19)”Therefore, I now say: I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a trap to you.” (2:3)
JudgesBattles labelled ‘Cycle’ are cycles which involve Israel forsaking God, God specifically handing Israel over to be defeated by an enemy, Israel returning to God and then God acting to rescue them.
Judges 3:8-10AramCycleGod raises Othniel. The Spirit of the Lord is on him (vv9-10)Othniel
Judges 3:12-30Moabites, Ammonites, AmalekitesCycleGod raises Ehud. (v15) He told them, “Follow me, because the LORD has handed over your enemies, the Moabites, to you.” (v28)Ehud
Judges 3:31PhilistinesCycle?Shamgar (only one line  description, Judges Cycle implied?)
Judges 4CanaanitesCycle“The LORD threw Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army into confusion with the sword” (v15). “That day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites.” (v23)Deborah & Jael
Judges 6-7MidianitesCycleThe LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many people for Me to hand the Midianites over to you, or else Israel might brag: ‘I did it myself.'” (7:4). Army reduced to 300 men (7:7), God sends the Midianites into a panic and they attack each other (7:22).Gideon
Judges 9:22-57ShechemWon“God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully so that the crime against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood would be avenged on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the lords of Shechem, who had helped him kill his brothers.” (v23-24) Abimelech is killed (v56)
Judges 10-11Philistines and the Ammonites.CycleJephthah. “Then the LORD God of Israel handed over Sihon and all his people to Israel, and they defeated them” (11:21)Jephthah
Judges 12:1-6Gileadites vs EphraimitesCivil War
Judges 13PhilistinesCycleSamson’s strength comes to him from the Spirit (14:6, 15:14, 16:28) and his actions are directed by God (14:6)Samson
Judges 18LaishWonGod doesn’t actually speak (v5-6). The Priest in question seems to be a priest for a false image (18:30). “they went to Laish, to a quiet and unsuspecting people. They killed them with their swords and burned down the city.” (18:27) this seems to be a condemnation?
Judges 20Israel vs BenjaminitesCivil WarGod directs the order of battle and gives them victory (20:18, 23, 28).Punishment of city (city given chance to hand the guilty men over). People weep over the war.
Judges 21Jabesh-GileadCivil War
1 Sam 4:1-11PhilistinesLost (Cycle?)The elders of Israel asked, “Why did the LORD let us be defeated today by the Philistines? Let’s bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant from Shiloh. Then it will go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” (v3) Lost the next battle and lost the Ark.
1 Sam 7:3-11PhilistinesWon (2nd half of Cycle?)“The LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines that day and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel” (7:10)
The Monarchy
1 Sam 11:1-11AmmonitesWon“When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God suddenly took control of him, and his anger burned furiously.” (11:6)
1 Sam 13-14PhilistinesWonSaul initiates battle but needs Samuel to sacrifice to God’s for his favour. Samuel does not come for 7 days. Saul offers sacrifice instead. Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command which the LORD your God gave you. It was at this time that the LORD would have permanently established your reign over Israel, but now your reign will not endure.”(13:13-14)Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will help us. Nothing can keep the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” (14:6)”The earth shook, and terror from God spread.” (14:15) “So the LORD saved Israel that day. ” (14:23)Jonathan breaks Saul’s oath, which results in a failure to completely defeat the Philistines (14:37-46)
1 Sam 14:47-48List of victories for Saul
1 Sam 15AmalekitesWonGod commands Saul to attack (15:2-3). Saul wins but fails to destroy the flocks. God rejects Saul.
1 Sam 17PhilistinesWonGod gives David victory over Goliath (17:37, 45-47)
1 Sam 18:1-19:8List of victories for DavidGod is with David (18:14)
David vs Saul
1 Sam 23:1-5David vs PhilistinesWonDavid asks God whether to attack, God says yes, “for I will hand the Philistines over to you.” (23:1-4)
1 Sam 27David vs Geshurites, Girzites and AmalekitesWonRaids conducted while David was hiding from Saul amongst the Philistines and pretending to be on their side
1 Sam 30David vs AmalekitesWonRaiders took his people. David asks God, who tells him to attack (30:7-8).
1 Sam 28-29, 311 Cron 10:1-14Saul vs PhilistinesLostGod refuses to respond to Saul, Saul gets medium to summon Samuel who says God gives victory to Philistines (28:19). Philistines win and Saul is killed.
David’s Reign
1 Chron 11-12List of warriors and battlesReferences to the Spirit guiding warriors, and God giving victory.
2 Sam 2-4David vs BenjaminitesCivil WarBenjaminites eventually turn against each other, then finally recognise David
2 Sam 5:6-10Jebusites (Jerusalem)Won“David became more and more powerful, and the LORD God of Hosts was with him.” (5:10)
2 Sam 5:17-20PhilistinesWonDavid asks God what to do, God says “Go, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.” (5:19)
2 Sam 5:22-251 Chron 14:9-17PhilistinesWonDavid asks God, who gives specific tactical instructions (5:23-24)
2 Sam 8:1-141 Chron 18List of victories“The LORD made David victorious wherever he went.” (8:14)
2 Sam 101 Chron 19-20Ammonites and ArameansWonAmmonites pick fight (10:6), hire Arameans to help. After loss, Arameans make peace with Israel.
2 Sam 11-12AmmonitesWonBathsheba incident occurs here
2 Sam 13-18David vs AbsalomCivil WarLeading up to the battles, God causes Absalom to make bad decisions (17:14).
2 Sam 20David vs ShebaCivil War
2 Sam 21:15-22Lists of victories against the PhilistinesFighting descendants of Goliath
Solomon
1 Kings 11Solomon sins. God raises up Hadad the Edomite and Rezon son of Eliada as enemies (11:14, 23)
1 Kings 11-122 Chr 11Rehoboam vs JeroboamCivil War“the turn of events came from the LORD to carry out His word” (12:15)Rehoboam gathers an army, but God says “You are not to march up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you must return home, for I have done this.” (12:24)Kingdom splits
1 Kings 142 Chr 12:1-12Judah vs EgyptLostGod says “You have abandoned Me; therefore, I have abandoned you into the hand of Shishak.” (2 Chr 12:4)God makes Judah become  vassal of Egypt (2 Chr 12:8)Egypt sacked the Temple
2 Chron 13Israel vs JudahJudah won“God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.” (13:15)
2 Chron 14:10-14Judah vs CushWon“So the LORD routed the Cushites before Asa”
1 Kings 152 Chr 16Judah vs IsraelJudah wonJudah make an alliance with Aram (Aram breaks previous alliance with Israel). They defeat Israel.
1 Kings 20Israel vs AramWonGod says “I am handing it over to you today so that you may know that I am the LORD.” (20:13)”Because the Arameans have said: The LORD is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys, I will hand over this entire immense horde to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” (20:28)
1 Kings 222 Chr 18Israel & Judah vs AramLostKings ask prophets of Baal, who say a good idea. The Prophet Micaiah says that God is enticing Israel to fight because he has pronounced disaster on them (22:17-23)They fight anyway, Ahab is killed (fulfils prophecy)
2 Kings 3Israel & Judah vs MoabWonElisha provides water for the armies. “This is easy in the LORD’s sight. He will also hand Moab over to you.” (3:18)
2 Chr 20Judah vs Moabites, Ammonites, and MeunitesWonNation fasts. Jehoshaphat prays and tells them they will not even have to fight. Judah lines up and sings praises to God, and God causes the enemies to fight amongst themselves and kill each other (20:21-23)
2 Kings 6Israel vs AramWonGod gives tactical direction (6:9)Aram sends men after Elisha, but God blinds them (6:18)
2 Kings 6:24-7:16Israel vs AramWonAram besieges Samaria. God says he will break the siege and the hunger (7:1)God causes the Amarean’s to hear the sound of a large army and run away (7:6-7)
2 Kings 8:20-222 Chr 21:4-10Judah vs EdomLostBecause king Jehoram has done evil in God’s sight (2 Chr 21:6, 10)Edom is still in rebellion to this day (8:22)
2 Kings 8:28-292 Chr 22:5-8Israel & Judah vs AramResult unspecifiedIsrael’s king Joram is wounded. God then replaces him with Jehu (below)” Ahaziah’s downfall was from God” (2 Chr 22:7)
2 Kings 9-102 Chr 22:8-11Joram vs Jehu (Judah)Civil WarGod anoints Jehu to replace Joram. Jehu then takes Israel in battle and kills Joram
2 Kings 10:32-33Israel vs AramLostGod causes Israel to lose battles and lose land (10:32)
2 Kings 13:1-5Israel vs AramCycleIsrael does evil, so God hands them over to Aram. But Israel return to him and he raises deliverer to protect Israel (11:4-5)
2 Chr 24:23-24Judah vs AramLost“Although the Aramean army came with only a few men, the LORD handed over a vast army to them because the people of Judah had abandoned the LORD God” (24:24)
2 Kings 14:7Judah vs EdomWonKilled 10,000 Edomites
2 Chr 25: 5-13Judah vs SeiritesWonJudah hires Ephraimites to help. Prophets tell him to send them home (25:7). He does and wins.Ephraimites sent home raid Judah.
2 Kings 14:8-142 Chr 25:17-24Judah vs IsraelIsrael WonJudah picks a fight with Israel. Israel warns that he will lose. Fights anyway and loses. Israel loots Temple
2 Kings 14:25-27Israel vs AramWonGod allows Israel to restore borders previously lost
2 Chr 26:6-8Judah vs Philistines, Meunites, AmmonitesWon“God helped him against the Philistines” (26:7)
2 Kings 15:16Israel vs Tiphash (?)WonRips open pregnant women
2 Kings 15:19-20Israel vs AssyriaTreatyAssyria invades, Israel pays tribute and becomes vassal
2 Kings 15:29Israel vs AssyriaLostTowns captured and people exiled
2 Chron 27:2-6Judah vs AmmonitesWon“Jotham strengthened himself because he did not waver in obeying the LORD his God.” (27:6)
2 Kings 16:5-62 Chr 28:5Judah vs AramLost“The LORD his God handed Ahaz over to the king of Aram.” (2 Chr 28:5)Aram take towns. Judah asks Assyria for help and swears allegiance. Assyria takes Damascus back.
2 Chr 28:5-13Israel vs JudahIsrael WonGod hands Judah to Israel (28:5). Israel wins and takes slaves, but God says to send them home (28:9-11)
2 Chr 28:17-19Judah vs Edom and PhilistinesLostFor the LORD humbled Judah because of King Ahaz of Judah, who threw off restraint in Judah and was unfaithful to the LORD. (28:19)
2 Kings 17:3-23Israel vs AssyriaLost“The LORD removed Israel from His presence just as He had declared through all His servants the prophets.” (17:23)Refuse to pay tribute. Assyria conquers Samaria and deports people.
2 Kings 18:8Judah vs PhilistinesWon“The LORD was with him” (18:7)
2 Kings 18-192 Chr 32Judah vs AssyriaWonGod says “I will defend this city and rescue it for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.”  That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. (19:34-35)Hezekiah rebelled against Assyria (18:7). When Assyria defeated Samaria, they continued into Judah and besiege Jerusalem.
2 Chr 33:9-13Judah vs AssyriaLostGod brought Assyria against Judah because Manasseh was evil (33:9-11). Manasseh was captured, repented, and God released him.
2 Kings 23:292 Chr 35:20-24Judah vs EgyptLostWhen Pharaoh spoke to Josiah, he spoke with God’s words (35:22) but Josiah ignored him.Egypt marches against Assyria. Judah fights Egypt, King Josiah is killed. Pharaoh dictates who are next few kings and Judah pays tribute (2 Kings 23:31-37).
2 Kings 24:12 Chr 36:608Judah vs BabylonLostBabylon conquers Judah and Judah becomes vassal. Then Judah rebels.
2 Kings 24:2-4Judah vs Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, and AmmonitesLost“This happened to Israel only at the LORD’s command to remove them from His sight. It was because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all he had done” (24:3)
2 Kings 24:7-20Judah vs BabylonLost“Because of the LORD’s anger, it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that He finally banished them from His presence” (24:20)Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem and ti surrenders. First exile.
2 Kings 252 Chr 36:16-21Judah vs BabylonLostJudah rebels again (24:20). Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem and takes it. Second exile.