An organized fighting force. Although there was no standing army in ancient Israel until the monarchy, Abraham rallied 318 followers to rescue his relatives who had been captured by a coalition of kings (Gen 14). In the tribal federation a people’s militia served when called upon by a leader, judge, or field commander. Saul added a bodyguard of “three thousand” responsible to himself and Jonathan, and later to Abner, as commander (1Sam 13:2; 1Sam 17:55). Mercenaries in David’s bodyguard (2Sam 8:18; 2Sam 15:19-22) supported the southern throne, in contrast with a tumul-tuous dynastic sequence in the north. Solomon introduced chariotry. Under the monarchy the army became highly organized, and warfare was greatly routinized. Although the NT recalls OT feats of arms (Heb 11:34), the armies mentioned are either Roman (Luke 21:20; Acts 23:27) or supernatural (Rev 9:16; Rev 19:14; Rev 19:19).
