8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah

Throughout their history, Israel and Judah contended with enemies committed to their destruction, finding refuge only in their covenant-keeping God.

Enemies of Israel

The Egyptians Ex 1:8-11; Ex 14:9; 1Ki 14:25 pp 2Ch 12:2; 2Ch 36:3

The Amalekites Ex 17:8; Jdg 3:13

The Edomites Nu 20:18; 1Ki 11:14

Sihon, king of the Amorites Nu 21:23

Og, king of Bashan Nu 21:33

The Canaanites and the surrounding nations Jos 11:1-5

The Syrians (Arameans) Jdg 3:8; 1Ki 11:25; 1Ki 20:1; 2Ki 6:8,24; 2Ki 24:2; 2Ch 28:5

The Moabites Jdg 3:12; 2Ki 1:1; 2Ki 24:2

The Ammonites Jdg 3:13; Jdg 10:9; 2Sa 10:6 pp 1Ch 19:6; 2Ki 24:2

The Midianites Jdg 6:1

The Philistines Jdg 10:7-8; 1Sa 4:1-2; 1Sa 17:1-2; 1Sa 31:1; 2Sa 5:17; 2Sa 8:1; 2Sa 21:15,18 pp 1Ch 20:4

The Assyrians 2Ki 15:19,29; 2Ki 17:3-6; 2Ki 18:13

The Babylonians 2Ki 24:1; 2Ki 25:1; 2Ch 36:5-7,15-20

Those opposed to the rebuilding under Ezra and Nehemiah Ezr 4:4-6; Ezr 5:3; Ne 2:10

Haman the Persian Est 3:5-6

The Greeks Zec 9:13

The Romans Jn 11:48

Characteristics of Israel’s enemies

They were often more numerous than Israel 1Sa 13:5 See also Na 1:12

They were often better equipped Jos 17:16 See also 1Sa 13:19-22

They were cruel and oppressive Jer 6:23 See also Ex 6:5-9; Dt 28:33; Jdg 6:2-6; Jer 50:42; Hab 1:6

They were cunning Ps 83:3

They were determined to destroy Israel Ps 83:4

They were often in league with each other See also Ps 83:5-8

God helped Israel against her enemies

He opposed Israel’s enemies Ge 12:3 See also Ex 23:22

He protected Israel Dt 23:14; Ne 4:15; Ne 6:16; Ps 125:2; Isa 51:22; Isa 59:19

He delivered Israel Nu 10:9; 1Sa 12:11; 2Ki 17:39; Lk 1:71

He gave Israel victory Ex 23:27 See also Lev 26:7-8; Nu 10:35; Dt 6:19; Dt 33:27; Ps 60:12 pp Ps 108:13; Ps 68:1; Isa 54:15

He destroyed Israel’s enemies Ex 15:6 See also Dt 20:17; Dt 30:7; Jos 10:19; 2Ch 20:29; Ps 44:5

He gave Israel rest Dt 12:10 See also Dt 25:19; 1Ki 5:3-4; 1Ch 22:9

Israel’s attitude towards her enemies

Israel was not to fear them Dt 20:1-4 See also 1Sa 17:45-47

Israel was to pray for deliverance 1Ki 8:33-34 pp 2Ch 6:24-25; 1Ki 8:37-40 pp 2Ch 6:28-31; Ezr 8:22-23; Ps 74:3,10,18,22-23

Kindness was to be shown to Israel’s enemies Ex 23:4-5; 2Ki 6:21-23; Pr 25:21-22; Ro 12:20

Thanksgiving for victory over Israel’s enemies

Giving thanks to God was the proper response to victory Ex 15:1 See also 2Sa 8:11-12 pp 1Ch 18:11; Ps 136:24

Israel often forgot to give thanks to God Jdg 8:33-34

God used enemies to chastise Israel

Dt 28:47-48 See also Lev 26:44 Because of his covenant, the Lord was unwilling to destroy Israel completely at the hand of her enemies; Dt 28:53; Jdg 2:10-23; Jdg 6:1; Isa 8:5-8

See also