Page 232 - Bible History

THE KING FROM WHOM THE REDEEMER DESCENDED 205
heads of the tribes led a citizens' army in defense of the nation. This army was divided into groups of di erent sizes, with a commanding o cer over each group.
Saul provided a standing army. But all citizens had to answer his call when they were needed. David added to the standing army a bodyguard, composed of skilled warriors who had been loyal to him while he was in exile. David had a council made up of thirty-three wise and brave men.
We see, the. n, why David was able to defeat his ene­ D i s mies, even the Philistines. He had a large stan ng mi army with strong and brave commanders. He and his st commanders had acquired great skill in ghting in the
days of his exile. They had learned e,specially how to use mountains, valleys, and rivers to help them in n­ ning battles.
David had neither chariots nor cavalry. His ene­ mies had both. David's plan was to draw the enemy into a hilly eld, where the chariots could not be used and where the horsemen could not make an attack in a body. Another scheme which David used was to put to ight the bravest men of the army. The re , seeing these men ee, retreated in great terror. Sometimes he planned to kill the leader upon whom the soldiers depended. After the death of their leader, the rest of the army usually ed.
6. WHAT DAVID AC MPLISHED
The heads of the tribes had much authority of their
own, but they accepted David's rule. Six thousand
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