Ambushment
The Word Ambushment
The term "ambushment" appears in the King James Version of the Bible as an older English form of "ambush." It refers to a military tactic in which soldiers conceal themselves to launch a surprise attack on an unsuspecting enemy. While the word itself has largely fallen out of modern usage, the military strategy it describes is one of the oldest known forms of warfare and appears at several key points in biblical history.
Jeroboam's Ambushment Against Judah
In 2 Chronicles 13:13, during the battle between King Abijah of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel, Jeroboam set an ambushment behind the army of Judah while engaging them from the front. The men of Judah found themselves surrounded, with enemies both before and behind them. In their distress, they cried out to the Lord, and the priests blew their trumpets (2 Chronicles 13:14). God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah, resulting in a devastating defeat for the northern kingdom, with 500,000 of Jeroboam's chosen men falling in battle (2 Chronicles 13:17).
God's Ambushment Against Moab, Ammon, and Edom
The second and more dramatic use of ambushment appears in 2 Chronicles 20:22, during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. When a vast coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites invaded Judah, Jehoshaphat led the nation in prayer and fasting (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). God responded through the prophet Jahaziel, saying, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15). As Judah marched out singing praises, "the LORD set an ambushment against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir" (2 Chronicles 20:22). The invaders turned on each other and destroyed themselves without Judah lifting a single weapon.
The Strategy of Ambush in Biblical Warfare
Ambush tactics appear frequently in Scripture. Joshua used an ambush to conquer the city of Ai (Joshua 8:2-22). The Israelites set an ambush against Gibeah in the war against Benjamin (Judges 20:29-37). These accounts show that ancient Israelite warfare employed sophisticated tactical planning. However, the Chronicles accounts are distinctive because they highlight divine intervention: in both cases, the ultimate strategist is God Himself.
The Spiritual Dimension of Battle
The ambushment passages in 2 Chronicles carry a clear theological message: victory belongs to the Lord. In the battle against Jeroboam, it was Judah's cry to God and the blowing of trumpets that triggered the rout. In Jehoshaphat's battle, the army's weapon was worship, not swords. The phrase "the LORD set an ambushment" in 2 Chronicles 20:22 suggests that the confusion among the invading armies was divinely orchestrated. Whether through human agents or supernatural confusion, God fought on behalf of His people.
Lessons from Biblical Ambushments
The ambushment narratives teach that God often works through unexpected means. The people of Judah did not need to devise clever military strategies; they needed to trust God and obey His instructions. These accounts encourage believers facing overwhelming opposition to remember that God's resources are not limited to human capability. As Jehoshaphat prayed, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you" (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Biblical Context
Ambushment appears in 2 Chronicles 13:13 during Abijah's battle with Jeroboam and in 2 Chronicles 20:22 during Jehoshaphat's encounter with the Moabite-Ammonite coalition. Related ambush tactics appear in Joshua 8:2-22 (the conquest of Ai) and Judges 20:29-37 (the war against Benjamin). The Chronicles passages emphasize divine intervention as the decisive factor in military victory.
Theological Significance
The ambushment passages powerfully illustrate the biblical principle that the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47). God is presented as the supreme military strategist who fights on behalf of His people when they trust and worship Him. These narratives teach that prayer, praise, and obedience are more effective weapons than human military skill, a theme that runs throughout Scripture from the exodus through the conquest to the divided kingdom.
Historical Background
Ambush tactics were common in ancient Near Eastern warfare, as documented in Egyptian, Assyrian, and Hittite military texts. The terrain of ancient Israel, with its wadis, hills, and narrow passes, was particularly suited to ambush strategies. Archaeological evidence from sites like Ai (et-Tell or Khirbet el-Maqatir) and Gibeah (Tell el-Ful) confirms the defensible geography that made ambush tactics effective. The large numbers of casualties mentioned in Chronicles are debated by scholars, with some suggesting that the Hebrew word for "thousand" may also designate a military unit of smaller size.