Luke 14:31-32

 

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.

 

2 Samuel 11:1

It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

 

The siege of Eger 1552.

 

The siege of Eger (Eger ostroma) occurred in the 16th century during the Ottoman war in Europe in 1552, the forces of the Ottoman Empire led by Kara Ahmed Pasha to lay siege to the Castle of Eger located in the northern part of the Kingdom of Hungary. The defenders led by István Dobo successfully managed to repel the attacks and defended the castle, despite being outnumbered approximately 1 to 17. The siege has become an emblem of national defense and patriotic heroism in Hungary.

 

Some facts about the siege.

 

• The Ottomans Army had 16 zarbuzans (very large siege cannons) as well as 150 medium and smaller pieces of artillery and 2000 camels, which proved to be highly useful in the collection and transportation of wood to the site used for the construction of temporary siege platforms. 

• The defenders had six large and about a dozen smaller cannons and about 300 trench guns with ample supplies of ammunition.

• Despite the difference in troop numbers, Eger's strong walls and the high morale of its defenders allowed the fortress to withstand five major assaults and continuous cannon fire (almost 12,000 cannonballs landed inside the fortress before the siege ended).

• The fortress was defended by 2,100-2,300 people, a mixture of professional soldiers, peasants, and a few dozen women. Among the approximately 1,530 combat-ready personnel there were only a handful of foreign mercenaries. 

• The Ottomans had expected an easy victory, but the bravery of the castle's defenders, as well as Dobó's inspired leadership, resulted in their repelling repeated Ottoman assaults.

• After 39 days of bloody, brutal, and intense fighting the Ottoman Army withdrew, beaten and humiliated.

 

 

 

Plans are established by counsel;

By wise counsel wage war.

Proverbs 20:18 

 

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

 

2 Samuel 22:35

He teaches my hands to make war,

So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

 

Deuteronomy 20:4

for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

 

Psalms 27:3

Though an army may encamp against me,

My heart shall not fear;

Though war may rise against me,

In this I will be confident.

 

Ephesians 6:11-12

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 

Key scripture 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

 

LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM KING JEHOSHAPHAT.

 

1. There is a season for war. Sometimes the war will come to you so be ready to defend. 

 

2 Chronicles 20:2

Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi).

 

2. Your first response in times of war is very important. Your initial response will determine the outcome what is coming against you.

 

2 Chronicles 20:3-4

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

 

3. Your leadership and negotiation skills will be tested during a time of war. “Everything rises and falls on leadership”. John C Maxwell.

 

2 Chronicles 20:5-7

Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said: “O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

 

Isaiah 41:21

“Present your case,” says the LORD.

“Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob.

 

4. Create an atmosphere where the Lord will give your counsel and instructions. It’s your responsibility to curate the atmosphere where the Lord will speak to your situation not to come up with solutions.

 

2 Chronicles 20:13-15

Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the LORD.

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

 

5. Spend time in the presence of the Lord to soak in His strength and be in one accord. 

 

2 Chronicles 20:18-19

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high.

 

6. Take time to plan before going to war. Notice the Lord assured victory but they had to make plans. 

 

2 Chronicles 20:20-21

So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the LORD,

For His mercy endures forever.”

 

7. Our weapons are not carnal BUT might through God. The Lord will fight your battles all you need to do is position yourself.

 

2 Chronicles 20:22-23

Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

 

2 Chronicles 20:17

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”

 

8. Finally remember to give the Lord all the glory and return to your place of worship.

 

2 Chronicles 20:27

Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.

Kristin Hannah.