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 involvement Comments

Abraham gave tithe to

Gen 14:1- Nations near Sodom Melchizedek and Melchizedek
Won
20 and Gomorrah attributes victory to God (Gen
14:19-20)

Gen 34 ??

While Moses’ arms were

Ex 17:8-15 Amalekites Won
raised, Israel won

Num
14:39- God commands them not to
Amalekites(Amorites) Lost
45(Deut fight
1:41-46)

‘The LORD listened to Israel’s

request, the Canaanites were
Num 21:1-
Canaanites Won defeated, and Israel
3
completely destroyed them
and their cities.”‘ (v3)

‘The LORD said to Moses, “Do

Num
not fear him, for I have
21:21-
Amorites, Bashan Won handed him over to you along
35(Deut
with his whole army and his
3:1-6)
land.”‘ (v34)

‘The LORD spoke to Moses,

“Execute vengeance for the
Num 31:1- Israelites against the
Midianites Won
8 Midianites. After that, you will
be gathered to your people.”‘
(vv1-2)
 Direct commands from God,
Josh 6 Jericho Won and miraculous destruction of
the walls

God says the reason for loss is

Josh 7:1- that Israel had kept the
Ai Lost
12 plunder from Jericho against
God’s command (vv11-12)

After fixing the plunder issue,

Josh 8:1- God commands Joshua to
Ai Won
24 attack and gives strategic
commands (vv1-8, 18)

God says that he will defeat

them, throws them into
Josh 10:1- confusion, then sends hail
Amorite kings Won
13 storms. The stun stands still
until the battle is finished. (v8-
13)

“Joshua captured all these

kings and their land in one
Josh
List of cities conquered campaign, because the Lord,
10:28-43
the God of Israel, fought for
Israel.” (v42)

“The LORD handed them over

to Israel” (v8)”For it was the
LORD’s intention to harden
their hearts, so that they
Large coalition of
Josh 11:1- would engage Israel in battle,
kings, followed by Won
23 be completely destroyed
various victories.
without mercy, and be
annihilated, just as the LORD
had commanded Moses.”
(v20)

“The LORD handed the

Judges Canaanites and
Won Canaanites and Perizzites over
1:1-5 Perizzites
to them” (v4)

List of battles and land “The LORD was with Judah

Judges taken, and nations that and enabled them to take
Mixed
1:8-2:3 Israel failed to drive possession of the hill country,
out 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)

Battles labelled ‘Cycle’ are

cycles which involve Israel
forsaking God, God
specifically handing Israel over
Judges
to be defeated by an enemy,
Israel returning to God and
then God acting to rescue
them.

Judges God raises Othniel. The Spirit

Aram Cycle Othniel
3:8-10 of the Lord is on him (vv9-10)

God raises Ehud. (v15) He told

them, “Follow me, because
Judges Moabites, Ammonites,
Cycle the LORD has handed over Ehud
3:12-30 Amalekites
your enemies, the Moabites,
to you.” (v28)

Shamgar (only one

Judges
Philistines Cycle? line description, Judges
3:31
Cycle implied?)

“The LORD threw Sisera, all

his charioteers, and all his
army into confusion with the
Judges 4 Canaanites Cycle Deborah & Jael
sword” (v15). “That day God
subdued Jabin king of Canaan
before the Israelites.” (v23)

The LORD said to Gideon,

Judges 6-7 Midianites
“You have too many people
Cycle for Me to hand the Midianites Gideon
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).

“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
Judges
Shechem Won come to justice and their
9:22-57
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)

Jephthah. “Then the LORD

God of Israel handed over
Judges 10- Philistines and the
Cycle Sihon and all his people to Jephthah
11 Ammonites.
Israel, and they defeated
them” (11:21)

Judges Gileadites vs
Civil War
12:1-6 Ephraimites

Samson’s strength comes to

him from the Spirit (14:6,
Judges 13 Philistines Cycle Samson
15:14, 16:28) and his actions
are directed by God (14:6)

God 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
Judges 18 Laish Won
unsuspecting people.
They killed them with
their swords and burned
down the city.” (18:27)
this seems to be a
condemnation?

Judges 20 Israel vs Benjaminites Civil War
Punishment of city (city
God directs order of battle
given chance to hand the
and gives them victory (20:18,
guilty men over). People
23, 28).
weep over the war.

Judges 21 Jabesh-Gilead Civil War

The elders of Israel asked,

“Why did the LORD let us be
defeated today by the
Philistines? Let’s bring the ark
1 Sam 4:1- Lost
Philistines of the LORD’s covenant from
11 (Cycle?)
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.

“The LORD thundered loudly

Won (2nd against the Philistines that day
1 Sam 7:3-
Philistines half of and threw them into such
11
Cycle?) confusion that they fled
before Israel” (7:10)

The
Monarchy

“When Saul heard these

words, the Spirit of God
1 Sam
Ammonites Won suddenly took control of him,
11:1-11
and his anger burned
furiously.” (11:6)

Saul 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
1 Sam 13- said to Saul, “You have been
Philistines Won foolish. You have not kept the
14
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
List of victories for Saul
14:47-48

God commands Saul to attack

(15:2-3). Saul wins, but fails to
1 Sam 15 Amalekites Won
destroy the flocks. God rejects
Saul.

God gives David victory over

1 Sam 17 Philistines Won
Goliath (17:37, 45-47)

1 Sam List of victories for

God is with David (18:14)
18:1-19:8 David

David vs
Saul

David asks God whether to

1 Sam attack, God says yes, “for I will
David vs Philistines Won
23:1-5 hand the Philistines over to
you.” (23:1-4)

Raids conducted while

David vs Geshurites, David was hiding from
1 Sam 27 Won
Girzites and Amalekites Saul amongst the
Philistines and
 pretending to be on their
side

Raiders took his people. David

1 Sam 30 David vs Amalekites Won asks God, who tells him to
attack (30:7-8).

God refuses to respond to

1 Sam 28- Saul, Saul gets medium to
29, 311 summon Samuel who says
Saul vs Philistines Lost
Cron 10:1- God give victory to Philistines
14 (28:19). Philistines win and
Saul is killed.

David’s
Reign

References to the Spirit

1 Chron List of warriors and
guiding warriors, and God
11-12 battles
giving victory.

Benjaminites eventually
turn against each other,
2 Sam 2-4 David vs Benjaminites Civil War
then finally recognise
David

“David became more and

2 Sam 5:6- more powerful, and the LORD
Jebusites (Jerusalem) Won
10 God of Hosts was with him.”
(5:10)

David asks God what to do,

2 Sam God says “Go, for I will
Philistines Won
5:17-20 certainly hand the Philistines
over to you.” (5:19)

2 Sam
David asks God, who gives
5:22-251
Philistines Won specific tactical instructions
Chron
(5:23-24)
14:9-17

2 Sam 8:1- “The LORD made David

141 Chron List of victories victorious wherever he went.”
18 (8:14)
 Ammonites pick fight
2 Sam 101 (10:6), hire Arameans to
Ammonites and
Chron 19- Won help. After loss,
Arameans
20 Arameans make peace
with Israel.

2 Sam 11- Bathsheba incident

Ammonites Won
12 occurs here

Leading up to the battles,

2 Sam 13- God causes Absalom to
David vs Absalom Civil War
18 make bad decisions
(17:14).

2 Sam 20 David vs Sheba Civil War

2 Sam Lists of victories Fighting descendants of

21:15-22 against the Philistines Goliath

Solomon

Solomon sins. God raises up

Hadad the Edomite and Rezon
1 Kings 11
son of Eliada as enemies
(11:14, 23)

“the turn of events came from

the LORD to carry out His
word” (12:15)Rehoboam
gathers army, but God says
1 Kings 11- Rehoboam vs
Civil War “You are not to march up and Kingdom splits
122 Chr 11 Jeroboam
fight against your brothers,
the Israelites. Each of you
must return home, for I have
done this.” (12:24)

God says “You have

abandoned Me; therefore, I
1 Kings have abandoned you into the
142 Chr Judah vs Egypt Lost hand of Shishak.” (2 Chr Egypt sacked the Temple
12:1-12 12:4)God makes Judah
become vassal of Egypt (2 Chr
12:8)
 “God routed Jeroboam and all
2 Chron 13 Israel vs Judah Judah won Israel before Abijah and
Judah.” (13:15)

2 Chron “So the LORD routed the

Judah vs Cush Won
14:10-14 Cushites before Asa”

Judah make alliance with

1 Kings Aram (Aram breaks
Judah vs Israel Judah won
152 Chr 16 previous alliance with
Israel). They defeat Israel.

God says “I am handing it over

1 Kings 20 Israel vs Aram
to you today so that you may
know that I am the LORD.”
(20:13)”Because the
Arameans have said: The
Won 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)

Kings ask prophets of Baal,

who say good idea.The
Prophet Micaiah says that
1 Kings God is enticing Israel to fight
Israel & Judah vs Aram Lost
222 Chr 18 because he has pronounced
disaster on them (22:17-
23)They fight anyway, Ahab is
killed (fulfils prophecy)

Elisha provides water for the

armies. “This is easy in the
2 Kings 3 Israel & Judah vs Moab Won LORD’s sight. He will also
hand Moab over to you.”
(3:18)

Nation fasts. Jehoshaphat

Judah vs Moabites, prays and tells them they will
2 Chr 20 Ammonites, and Won not even have to fight. Judah
Meunites lines up and sings praises to
God, and God causes the
enemies to fight amongst
 themselves and kill each other
(20:21-23)

God gives tactical direction

(6:9)Aram sends men after
2 Kings 6 Israel vs Aram Won
Elisha, but God blinds them
(6:18)

Aram besieges Samaria. God

says he will break the siege
2 Kings and the hunger (7:1)God
Israel vs Aram Won
6:24-7:16 causes the Amarean’s to hear
the sound of a large army and
run away (7:6-7)

2 Kings
Because king Jehoram has
8:20-222 Edom is still in rebellion
Judah vs Edom Lost done evil in God’s sight (2 Chr
Chr 21:4- to this day (8:22)
21:6, 10)
10

Israel’s king Joram is

2 Kings wounded. God then replaces
Result
8:28-292 Israel & Judah vs Aram him with Jehu
unspecified
Chr 22:5-8 (below)”Ahaziah’s downfall
was from God” (2 Chr 22:7)

2 Kings 9- God anoints Jehu to replace

102 Chr Joram vs Jehu (Judah) Civil War Joram . Jehu then takes Israel
22:8-11 in battle and kills Joram

2 Kings God causes Israel to lose

Israel vs Aram Lost
10:32-33 battles and lose land (10:32)

Israel do evil, so God hands

them over to Aram. But Israel
2 Kings
Israel vs Aram Cycle return to him and he raises
13:1-5
deliverer to protect Israel
(11:4-5)

“Although the Aramean army

came with only a few men,
the LORD handed over a vast
2 Chr
Judah vs Aram Lost army to them because the
24:23-24
people of Judah had
abandoned the LORD God”
(24:24)
2 Kings
Judah vs Edom Won Killed 10,000 Edomites
14:7

Judah hires Ephraimites to

2 Chr 25: help. Prophets tells him to Ephraimites sent home
Judah vs Seirites Won
5-13 send them home (25:7). He raid Judah.
does and wins.

Judah picks fight with

2 Kings
Israel. Israel warns that
14:8-142
Judah vs Israel Israel Won he will lose. Fights
Chr 25:17-
anyway and loses. Israel
24
loots Temple

2 Kings God allows Israel to restore

Israel vs Aram Won
14:25-27 borders previously lost

2 Chr Judah vs Philistines, “God helped him against the

Won
26:6-8 Meunites, Ammonites Philistines” (26:7)

2 Kings Rips open pregnant

Israel vs Tiphash (?) Won
15:16 women

Assyria invades, Israel

2 Kings
Israel vs Assyria Treaty pays tribute and becomes
15:19-20
vassal

2 Kings Towns captured and

Israel vs Assyria Lost
15:29 people exiled

“Jotham strengthened himself

2 Chron because he did not waver in
Judah vs Ammonites Won
27:2-6 obeying the LORD his God.”
(27:6)

Aram take towns. Judah

2 Kings “the LORD his God handed
asks Assyria for help, and
16:5-62 Judah vs Aram Lost Ahaz over to the king of
swears allegiance. Assyria
Chr 28:5 Aram.” (2 Chr 28:5)
takes Damascus back.

God hands Judah to Israel

2 Chr (28:5). Israel wins and takes
Israel vs Judah Israel Won
28:5-13 slaves, but God says to send
them home (28:9-11)

2 Chr Judah vs Edom and For the LORD humbled Judah

Lost because of King Ahaz of
28:17-19 Philistines
Judah, who threw off restraint
 in Judah and was unfaithful to
the LORD. (28:19)

“The LORD removed Israel

from His presence just as He Refuse to pay tribute.
2 Kings
Israel vs Assyria Lost had declared through all His Assyria conquers Samaria
17:3-23
servants the prophets.” and deports people.
(17:23)

2 Kings “The LORD was with him”

Judah vs Philistines Won
18:8 (18:7)

God says “I will defend this

city and rescue it for My sake Hezekiah rebelled against
and for the sake of My Assyria (18:7). When
2 Kings 18- servant David.” That night the Assyria defeated Samaria,
Judah vs Assyria Won
192 Chr 32 angel of the LORD went out they continued into
and struck down 185,000 in Judah and besiege
the camp of the Assyrians. Jerusalem.
(19:34-35)

God brought Assyria against

Judah because Manasseh was
2 Chr
Judah vs Assyria Lost evil (33:9-11). Manasseh was
33:9-13
captured, repented, and God
released him.

Egypt marches against

Assyria. Judah fights
When Pharaoh spoke to
2 Kings Egypt, King Josiah is
Josiah, he spoke with God’s
23:292 Chr Judah vs Egypt Lost killed.Pharaoh dictates
words (35:22) but Josiah
35:20-24 who are next few kings
ignored him.
and Judah pays tribute (2
Kings 23:31-37).

2 Kings Babylon conquers Judah

24:12 Chr Judah vs Babylon Lost and Judah becomes
36:608 vassal. Then Judah rebels.

“This happened to Israel only

at the LORD’s command to
Judah vs Chaldeans,
2 Kings remove them from His sight.
Arameans, Moabites, Lost
24:2-4 It was because of the sins of
and Ammonites
Manasseh, according to all he
had done” (24:3)
 “Because of the LORD’s anger,
it came to the point in Nebuchadnezzar
2 Kings
Judah v s Babylon Lost Jerusalem and Judah that He besieges Jerusalem and ti
24:7-20
finally banished them from surrenders.First exile.
His presence” (24:20)

Judah rebels again

2 Kings
(24:20). Nebuchadnezzar
252 Chr Judah v s Babylon Lost
besieges Jerusalem and
36:16-21
takes it.Second exile.