1 Samuel 4:10 - "So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home; and there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers."

Acts 12:18 - "Now when day came, there was no small stir among the soldiers over what had become of Peter."

Before Saul there was no regular Israelite army, but, when a need arose, the tribes would gather together, each tribe with its own banner, and rally to the cause. And when the situation had been resolved, they would go back to their own homes. But with the establishment of the monarchy, a standing army became a necessity.

Saul started this army by choosing permanent warriors to serve him, and David later increased this force and began to pay the soldiers wages. Before this time, soldiers had lived off the land or were provided for by their families. Saul had also started the practice of recruiting mercenaries, from any tribe or people. Any likely looking man was a probable choice. Again, David followed in Saul’s footsteps and added more and more mercenaries to his army.

The Jewish soldiers were taught that they were engaged in a holy war and often the concept of "herem" - complete destruction of the enemy and his possessions - was required. During the Maccabean wars, charms were carried for protection by Jewish soldiers.

After a victory, unless it was a holy war with the herem imposed, the soldiers divided the booty, with special shares going to the officers. This was the most ancient of all customs connected with war. This is one of the more obvious advantages to being an officer!

Men from twenty to fifty were eligible to serve in the army, whose basic corps was the infantry. The military tactics employed included sieges, ambushes, raids, and surprise night attacks. In the actual battle, the first line of defense was a line of shield-bearing spearsmen. Behind this front line were archers who, besides carrying bows and arrows, carried a sword and buckler. Most battles resulted in hand-to-hand fighting. On campaign, the soldiers lived in camps and slept in tents.

Today’s soldier has more sophisticated weapons at his disposal, and his mode of transportation and communication are infinitely better, but in the ultimate moment, he is one with his soldier brothers of the past - the soldier faces death at every moment! And he must be prepared to accept that fact.