Ancient Israel, writes Susan Niditch (1993, 151–155), had numerous strategies of warfare that fit into the ancient Near Eastern context of its time.

1. Herem. This is the most known of ancient Israel’s warfare practices. It involved devoting entire populations to destruction (Num. 13, 14, 25, 26, 31; 1 Sam. 15:3; Deu. 20:16–18), a theme present in the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Numbers, and 1 Samuel. These populations included men, women, children, and infants (Deut. 20:16–18), often along with animals and livestock (oxen, sheep, camels, and donkeys) (1 Sam. 15:3), and cities and towns (Josh. 6:19). The total annihilation of Israel’s enemies was intended to preserve Israel’s holiness. Enemies are sinful, unclear, and condemned by God (Num. 31). and Israel saw themselves as God’s instruments of justice.

2. Priestly ideology. This is apparent in Numbers 31, in which virgin women were spared from destruction as they had not been defiled by Israel’s enemy. These women were taken as captives and divided among the Israelites and Yahweh.

3. Bardic traditions. Ancient traditions that glamorized Israelite warriors, their courage, skills, and leadership in battle. Perhaps the book of Chronicles adopts this perspective by omitting the brutality of David and therefore portraying the ideal rather than the real.

4. Tricksterism. A war ethic through which Israel, the “underdog”, used deception and trickery to increase its probability of victory. It was used when Israel’s own forces were weaker than its opponent’s. Examples include Jael’s assassination of Canaanite general Sisera with a tent peg (Judges 4:17–24 and 5:24–31), Samson’s confrontation with the Philistines (Judges 14–15), and Ehud’s assassination of King Eglon, the King of Moab (Judges 3:15–30).

5. Expediency. This strategy is that when a war is won, anything could be done by Israel to their enemies in order to obtain their subjugation. It is in contrast to tricksterism because Israel holds power and strength over its enemies. This was considered a blessing by God.

6. Non-participation. God engages in war to bring victory to Israel, which is located in the traditions of God performing miracles. The Israelites were not required to fight. Instead, God came to the aid of a helpless, faithful people. For example, as seen in response to the cries of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt, God would redeem. 2 Chronicles 20 is the most apparent example, when God slaughtered the Ammonite and Moabite forces for King Jehoshaphat.