Examples of warriors in the Bible
A warrior is an individual skilled in combat, embodying strength, courage, and discipline. In Israel, warriors hold significant historical and cultural importance. Examples of warriors include King Saul, Joshua, and King David who defeated Goliath. These warriors symbolize the resilience and determination of the Israeli people.
1. Nimrod
Nimrod was the son of Cush. He was the first warrior and the first mighty man to walk the earth. It is written about Nimrod: ‘Cush was the father of Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord.”’ Genesis 10:8-9. He used his influence to unite the people and build cities including Babylon, Uruk, and Akkad.
2. Abraham
Abraham was the son of Terah and came from Babylonia. Little is known about the fact that he was a warrior and out of him would come many warriors. At that time, war broke out in the land of Canaan for King Chedorlaomer and his allies came to defeat the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their allies. As part of their conquest, they looted and captured people from within and around Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot and his family were captured too for they were in that vicinity.
When Lot’s uncle Abraham heard of his capture, he courageously mustered 318 servants and some allies, pursued, and caught up with the enemies. He strategically divided his men into groups, attacked the enemies at night, killed many, routed them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus (Ge 14:15). He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people (Ge 14:16). Reference Genesis 14:1-17
3. Joshua
Joshua son of Nun was a great leader and warrior from the tribe of Ephraim who led the Israelites. His path to becoming a great warrior began in the days of Moses when he led Israel to victory against the Amalekites (Ex 17:8-16). He was a man of faith who stood with Caleb to say that though giants inhabited the land they could possess it. He succeeded Moses to finish what he started, leading the Israelites to the Promised Land.
Despite facing the animosity of the Canaanite inhabitants, he emerged victorious in several notable conflicts. One of his significant triumphs was the conquest of Jericho, where he led the Israelites to march around the city walls for seven days before the walls miraculously collapsed. Additionally, he led the Israelites to defeat the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hittites, the Jebusites, and other nations that stood in their way. Joshua’s military prowess and leadership were instrumental in securing the land of Canaan for the Israelites. (Joshua 1:1-11; 5:13-6:27; 10:7-15)
4. Caleb
Caleb son of Jephunneh was a warrior from the tribe of Judah. Certainly, Caleb played a very significant role in the battle with the Amalekites during the days of Moses and the ensuing battles during the leadership of Joshua. Being one of the twelve men Moses sent to spy on the Promised Land, he stood with Joshua in faith to say that Israel could possess the land despite the presence of the giants there. God made both Joshua and Caleb live long enough to fight more battles, win, and possess the land. Caleb was credited with the capture of Hebron, where he defeated and drove out the three sons of Anak who were giants, namely Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. He also inspired Othniel to capture the Canaanite city of Debir. (Joshua 15:13-19)
5. Ehud
Ehud, the son of Gera, was a judge and a formidable lefthanded warrior from the tribe of Benjamin. Ehud was a man God raised to deliver Israel from the eighteen years of oppression by King Eglon of Moab. Ehud devised a plan to assassinate King Eglon and he led the Israelites to kill about 10000 Moabites in battle. That victory made Moab subject to Israel, and the Israelites had peace for 80 long years. Ehud’s skill and bravery in combat were widely recognized, making him a respected figure among his people. (Judges 3:12-30)
6. Gideon
Gideon, the son of Joash, was a man from the tribe of Manasseh. He was a farmer whom God called to become a warrior, a judge, and a military leader of the Israelites. He was called when the Israelites had suffered Midianite oppression for seven years (Jg 6:1). The Midianites, in collaboration with the Amalekites, made the lives of the Israelites sore for they destroyed their crops and stole their livestock. The Spirit of God came upon Gideon who mustered an army to face them in battle (Jg 6:34). Though Gideon had a sizable army at first, God had him reduce it to only 300 men. With only 300 men, Gideon strategically defeated the enemy, delivering Israel from their oppression. (Judges 6-8)
7. Jephthah
Jephthah was introduced in the Bible as a warrior – a mighty man of valor. He was the son of Gilead from the tribe of Manasseh. Though Japhthah was a great fellow, he was denied his share of his fathers inheritance and was rejected all together by his brothers because he was the son of a prostitute (Jg 11:1). Then Jephthah left his father’s house and went to live in the land of Tob where worthless men banded together with him to raid (Jg 11:3).
But when war broke out between Israel and the Ammonites, the Israelites went to fetch Japhthah to lead their army. He gathered an army mostly from the tribe of Manasseh, fought the Ammonites, and defeated them in battle. After defeating the Ammonites, a civil war broke out between Japhthah and the tribe of Ephraim. Japhthah defeated them, killing 42000 Ephraimites. Aside from being a warrior, Jephthah is remembered as one of the judges of Israel. (Judges 11,12)
8. Samson
Samson, the son of Manoah, was a judge and a renowned warrior from the tribe of Dan. Throughout his life, he engaged in numerous battles, displaying his strength and valor. Among his notable victories was the defeat of a lion with his bare hands, showcasing his extraordinary physical prowess. Additionally, Samson single-handedly took down a thousand Philistine soldiers using only the jawbone of a donkey. His enemies were the Philistines, who were a constant threat to the Israelites. Samson proved to be a formidable opponent, striking fear into the hearts of his adversaries. (Judges 13-16)
9. King Saul
Saul, a formidable warrior, was known for his prowess in battle. He inherited his fighting skills from his father, who was also a renowned warrior in their tribe. Throughout his life, Saul fought against enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings[e] of Zobah, the Amalekites, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. His victory against the enemies secured the people of Israel and their land. 1 Samuel 14:47-48
9. Jonathan
Jonathan, the son of Saul, was a formidable warrior from the tribe of Benjamin. He fought in numerous wars and emerged victorious against many powerful enemies. Some notable examples include his defeat of the Philistine garrison at Geba and the Philistine army at Michmash. Jonathan’s bravery and skill in battle made him a respected and feared warrior among his people. (1 Samuel 14)
10. King David
David, son of Jesse from the tribe of Judah, was a formidable warrior who led his tribe to victory in numerous wars. He displayed exceptional bravery and strategic thinking in battle, earning the respect of his fellow warriors. David was a teenager when he defeated Goliath. Afterward, defeated the Philistines in many wars. Whether it was facing off against rival tribes or defending his own, David consistently emerged victorious. His triumphs on the battlefield serve as shining examples of his strength and leadership. (1 Samuel 17)
11. King Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, was a warrior king of Judah. First, he joined King Ahab to fight against the Syrians at Ramoth Gilead where Ahab was killed and he narrowly escaped. However, he enjoyed military successes against the alliance of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites who came against Judah. Through divine guidance, Jehoshaphat and his army emerged victorious, securing peace for their land. Jehoshaphat also joined King Joram of Israel to defeat King Mesha of Moab. These victories solidified Jehoshaphat’s reputation as a formidable warrior and brought honor and prosperity to the tribe of Judah. (2 Chronicles 18, 2 Kings 3:4-27, 2 Chronicles 20)
12. King Hazael
King Hazael was the king of Syria and he was a warrior king. During his reign, he engaged in several wars, successfully defeating several enemies. For instance, he emerged victorious against the kingdoms of Israel and Judah in the reigns of Joram of Israel, Ahaziah of Judah, King Jehu, and Jehoahaz of Israel. He also fought against the powerful nation of Assyria. King Hazael’s military prowess and strategic acumen allowed him to overcome these formidable adversaries and establish his dominance in the region. (2 Kings 9)
13. Joab
Joab was a formidable warrior, known for his bravery and skill on the battlefield. He hailed from a distinguished lineage, with his father being Zeruiah, a prominent figure in the tribe of Judah. Throughout his life, Joab was involved in numerous wars, proving himself time and again as a capable military leader. He faced formidable enemies, such as the Ammonites, the Edomites, and the Syrians, and emerged victorious in each encounter. Joab’s military prowess and strategic acumen were evident in his successful campaigns, making him a respected figure among his people.
13. Josheb-Basshebeth
Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was a great warrior and the chief of David’s three mighty warriors. This man raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. He was one of the men who risked their lives to fetch water for David from the well near the gates of Bethlehem. (2 Samuel 23:8)
14. Eleazar
Eleazar, the son of Dodai, was a formidable warrior. He belonged to a proud and mighty tribe, known for their bravery and skill in battle. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. (2 Samuel 23:9-10)
15. Shammah
Shammah son of Agee was a formidable warrior and one of the three mighty warriors of King David. He hailed from the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Throughout his life, Shammah achieved numerous impressive victories against formidable enemies. One notable example is his heroic defense of a lentil field against a Philistine invasion, where he single-handedly fought off the enemy and secured the land for his people. Shammah’s courage and determination in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to warriors and leaders alike. (2 Samuel 23:11-12)
16. King Jehu
King Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat and grandson of Nimshi, was a great warrior king. He was the 11th king of Israel. He reigned over Israel for 28 years. During his reign, he fought against various enemies and achieved significant victories. For example, he defeated the house of Ahab and eliminated the worship of Baal in Israel. However, Jehu did not enjoy success against the Syrians; he lost many battles and lost considerable territories to King Hazael of Syria. King Jehu’s military successes solidified his position as a powerful ruler and secured the kingdom of Israel. (2 Kings 9, 10)