This list covers the Hebrew armies from the selection of Joshua as Judge until David’s accession as King and is largely based on the Bible - which, unreliable as this may be as history, is often the only source available. Israel became a kingdom only under David’s predecessor Saul, and even then was restricted to the highlands by inability to match the chariot-using Philistines of the coastal plains. The Simeonites and Ephraimites were described as “mighty men of valour” while the Benjaminites were archers or slingers. Gadites and Issacharians were skirmishers and scouts probably armed with javelins. The other tribes are best represented as auxilia. Picked men are those selected by Gideon, mercenaries those hired by Saul. References: Armies of the Ancient Near East N. Stillman & N. Tallis, Battles of the Bible C. Herzog & M. Gichon, Batiles of the Bible M. Dougherty (et al), The Military History of Ancient Israel R. Gabriel, The Bible as History W. Keller, Archaeological Study Bible W. Kallser (ed).
I/27
EARLY HEBREW circa 1250 BC - 1000 BC
— Early Hebrew Army circa 1250 BC
List: 1 x General (3/4Ax), 2 x Simeonites or Ephraimites (3Wb), 1 x Benjaminite archers or slingers (3Bw or Ps), 2 x Gadite or Issacharian skirmishing javelinmen (Ps), 5 x other tribesmen (3Ax), 1 x picked men or retained mercenaries (4Ax) or other tribesmen (3Ax or Ps)
Terrain: Hilly
Aggression: 3
Enemies:
I/20 — SYRO-CANAANITE OR UGARITIC 1595 BC - 1100 BC
I/22 — NEW-KINGDOM EGYPTIAN 1543 BC - 1069 BC
I/29 — PHILISTINE 1166 BC - 600 BC
I/31 — NEO-HITTITE & LATER ARAMAEAN 1100 BC - 710 BC
I/6 — EARLY BEDOUIN 3000 BC - 312 BC