LEAVE NO SURVIVORS: WHEN GOD'S MERCY RUNS OUT

I. The Conquest of Canaan (Book of Joshua)
- A. Jericho
- Joshua 6:20-21: Total destruction of Jericho (men, women, children, animals).

- B. Ai
- Joshua 8:24-26: Destruction of Ai and its inhabitants, no survivors left.

- C. Southern Campaign (Joshua's victories in the south)
- Joshua 10:28-40: Conquest of multiple cities, slaughter of inhabitants.

- D. Northern Campaign (Joshua's victories in the north)
- Joshua 11:10-15: Defeat and annihilation of northern kings and their armies.

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II. The Amalekites
- A. God's Command to Saul
- 1 Samuel 15:2-3: God commands Saul to destroy all Amalekites (men, women, children, animals).

- B. Saul's Partial Obedience
- 1 Samuel 15:7-9: Saul spares King Agag and livestock, leading to God's judgment.

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III. The Midianites
- A. The Battle Against the Midianites
- Numbers 31:1-18: Moses leads Israel to slaughter Midianites; execution of women and children involved in idolatry.

- B. Specific Command Regarding Captives
- Numbers 31:17-18: Kill all the boys and non-virgin women; spare the virgin girls.

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IV. The Cities of the Negev (Judges)
- A. Conquest of Canaanite Cities
- Judges 1:4-7: Mutilation of Adoni-bezek; destruction of Canaanite cities.

- B. The Moabite Defeat
- Judges 3:29-30: Ehud kills King Eglon of Moab and leads Israel to defeat the Moabites.

- C. Abimelech’s Siege of Shechem
- Judges 9:45-49: Abimelech destroys Shechem, killing inhabitants.

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V. The Philistines
- A. The Battle at Aphek
- 1 Samuel 4:10-11: Philistines slaughter 30,000 Israelites and capture the Ark of the Covenant.

- B. David vs. Goliath
- 1 Samuel 17:48-51: David kills Goliath, leading to the slaughter of Philistines.

- C. Final Defeat of the Philistines
- 2 Samuel 5:25: David defeats the Philistines in battle.

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VI. The Assyrian Conquest of Israel (2 Kings)
- A. Fall of Israel to Assyria
- 2 Kings 17:5-6: Assyrian conquest and brutal destruction of Israel, leading to the deportation of the Israelites.

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VII. Other Instances of Israelite Warfare in Judges and Kings
- A. The Killing of Sisera by Jael
- Judges 4:21: Jael kills General Sisera by driving a tent peg through his head.

- B. Gideon's Victory over the Midianites
- Judges 7:19-22: Gideon’s 300 men defeat and slaughter the Midianites.

- C. Ahab’s Battle at Ramoth-Gilead
- 1 Kings 22:34-37: The battle at Ramoth-Gilead leads to Ahab's death and the slaughter of many Israelites and Syrians.

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VIII. Ethical and Theological Considerations
- A. Divine Command vs. Human Violence
- Many of these acts are framed as divine commands for judgment on sinful nations.

- B. Theological Implications
- Questions about God’s role in violence and the nature of justice in biblical warfare.

- C. Interpretative Challenges
- Modern ethical concerns about violence in Scripture and the interpretation of these texts.

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IX. Conclusion
- A. Contextual Understanding
- These violent episodes are tied to the broader narrative of Israel’s history, often framed as part of God's judgment or divine warfare.

- B. Diverse Interpretations
- Views range from seeing these accounts as historical records to allegorical or theological lessons on justice, judgment, and mercy.

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