In warfare, a troop or military force. This consisted at first only of infantry. Solomon afterwards added cavalry (1 Kings 4:26; 10:26 ). Every male Israelite from twenty to fifty years of age was bound by the law to bear arms when necessary (Numbers 1:3; 26:2; 2 Chronicles 25:5 ).
Saul was the first to form a standing army (1 Samuel 13:2; 24:2 ). This example was followed by David (1 Chronicles 27:1 ), and Solomon (1 Kings 4:26 ), and by the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 17:14; 26:11; 2 Kings 11:4 , etc.).