List of Conflicts Recorded in the Bible

Here is a comprehensive list of conflicts recorded in the Bible. These conflicts and battles span from the beginning of the book of Genesis till the book of Revelation. Many of these conflicts came as a result of man's rebellious nature against God, territorial disputes, idolatry, or divine judgment against wickedness.

85 List of Conflicts Recorded in the Bible

Old Testament Battles

The Old Testament documents extensive military campaigns throughout Israel's history. These conflicts span the wilderness period, conquest of Canaan, judges era, united and divided kingdoms, and eventual exile. Each battle reveals God's involvement in human affairs and the consequences of faithfulness or rebellion.

1. Battle of Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16) - The Amalekites attacked Israel in the wilderness; Moses interceded with raised hands while Joshua commanded the troops to victory.
2. Defeat at Hormah (Numbers 14:40-45) - Israelites presumed to enter Canaan without God's blessing after refusing to trust Him, resulting in devastating loss.
3. Victory Over King Arad (Numbers 21:1-3) - After initial setback, Israel completely destroyed the Canaanite cities in the Negev.
4. Defeat of Sihon (Numbers 21:21-31) - Israel conquered the Amorite kingdom east of the Jordan when Sihon refused passage.
5. Defeat of Og (Numbers 21:33-35) - The giant king of Bashan and all his people were destroyed at Edrei.
6. Conquest of Midian (Numbers 31:1-12) - Moses sent 12,000 warriors to execute God's vengeance on Midian for leading Israel into idolatry.
7. Fall of Jericho (Joshua 6) - Fortified walls collapsed after Israel marched around the city for seven days, demonstrating God's power.
8. Defeat at Ai (Joshua 7) - Achan's hidden sin caused Israel's first defeat in Canaan, with 36 men killed.
9. Victory at Ai (Joshua 8:1-29) - After dealing with sin, Israel used ambush tactics to completely destroy Ai.
10. Battle of Gibeon (Joshua 10:1-15) - Five Amorite kings united against Gibeon; God sent hailstones and made the sun stand still for Joshua's victory.
11. Southern Campaign (Joshua 10:16-43) - Joshua systematically conquered Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir in rapid succession.
12. Northern Coalition Defeat (Joshua 11:1-15) - Jabin of Hazor assembled a massive alliance; Israel surprised them at Merom and pursued them to Sidon.
13. Deborah and Barak vs. Sisera (Judges 4-5) - Prophetess Deborah led Israel to defeat Canaanite commander Sisera's 900 iron chariots; Jael killed Sisera with a tent peg.
14. Gideon's Victory Over Midian (Judges 7) - God reduced Gideon's army to 300 men who routed the Midianites with trumpets, torches, and jars.
15. Abimelech's Conflicts (Judges 9) - Gideon's son murdered his brothers, fought against Shechem, and died when a woman dropped a millstone on his head.
16. Jephthah vs. Ammonites (Judges 11:1-33) - Rejected son became Israel's deliverer, conquering 20 Ammonite cities after making a tragic vow.
17. Jephthah vs. Ephraim (Judges 12:1-6) - Civil war where 42,000 Ephraimites died, identified by their pronunciation of "Shibboleth."
18. Samson's Battles (Judges 14-16) - One-man war against Philistines including killing 30 men, defeating 1,000 with a jawbone, and final temple destruction.
19. War Against Benjamin (Judges 20) - Civil war over a Levite's concubine resulted in near-extinction of Benjamin tribe; 25,000 Benjamites died.
20. Battle of Ebenezer (1 Samuel 4) - Philistines killed 30,000 Israelites, captured the Ark, and killed Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas.
21. Battle of Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:7-14) - Samuel's intercession brought thunderstorm that routed Philistines; Israel recovered lost territories.
22. Saul's Victory at Jabesh-Gilead (1 Samuel 11) - Newly crowned king rescued city from Nahash the Ammonite who demanded right eyes as terms of treaty.
23. Battle at Michmash Pass (1 Samuel 13-14) - Jonathan and armor-bearer's bold raid triggered earthquake; Philistines fled in confusion.
24. Saul vs. Amalekites (1 Samuel 15) - Saul's incomplete obedience in destroying Amalekites led to his rejection as king.
25. David vs. Goliath (1 Samuel 17) - Shepherd boy killed nine-foot champion with single stone, routing entire Philistine army.
26. David's Philistine Campaigns (1 Samuel 18:27; 19:8) - David's military success against Philistines sparked Saul's murderous jealousy.
27. Raid on Ziklag (1 Samuel 30) - Amalekites burned David's city and took captives; he pursued and recovered everything.
28. Battle of Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31) - Saul and three sons died fighting Philistines; Saul fell on his own sword to avoid capture.
29. David vs. Ish-bosheth's Forces (2 Samuel 2-3) - Civil war between David's and Saul's houses; Abner killed Asahel but later defected to David.
30. Conquest of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-10) - David captured the Jebusite fortress through water shaft, making it his capital.
31. David's Philistine Victories (2 Samuel 5:17-25) - Two major defeats of Philistines in Valley of Rephaim secured David's kingdom.
32. Wars of Expansion (2 Samuel 8) - David defeated Moab, Zobah, Arameans, and Edom, establishing empire from Egypt to Euphrates.
33. Ammonite-Aramean War (2 Samuel 10) - Ammonites hired Aramean mercenaries; Joab and Abishai defeated coalition on two fronts.
34. Siege of Rabbah (2 Samuel 11-12) - Joab besieged Ammonite capital while David remained in Jerusalem and committed adultery with Bathsheba.
35. Absalom's Rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18) - David's son led coup that temporarily seized kingdom; died when hair caught in tree during battle.
36. Sheba's Revolt (2 Samuel 20) - Benjamite rebel led northern tribes in secession; wise woman of Abel negotiated his execution.
37. Wars with Philistine Giants (2 Samuel 21:15-22) - David's mighty men killed four descendants of Goliath's family line in various battles.
38. Solomon's Military Actions (1 Kings 9:15-22) - Built fortifications and maintained standing army with chariots and cavalry.
39. Jeroboam vs. Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:30; 2 Chronicles 13) - Continuous warfare between divided kingdoms; Abijah killed 500,000 Israelites in single battle.
40. Asa vs. Zerah the Cushite (2 Chronicles 14:9-15) - Judah defeated million-man Ethiopian army through prayer and divine intervention.
41. Baasha vs. Asa (1 Kings 15:16-22) - Asa hired Arameans to attack Israel from north, forcing Baasha to withdraw from Judah.
42. Omri's Wars (1 Kings 16:15-28) - Civil war in Israel between Omri and Tibni; Omri prevailed and established Samaria as capital.
43. Ben-Hadad's Sieges of Samaria (1 Kings 20) - Aramean king besieged Israel twice; outnumbered Israelites won both battles through prophetic guidance.
44. Battle of Ramoth-Gilead (1 Kings 22) - Ahab and Jehoshaphat fought Arameans; Ahab died from random arrow despite disguise.
45. Moabite Rebellion (2 Kings 3) - Coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom invaded Moab; King Mesha sacrificed his son, causing Israel to withdraw.
46. Aramean Raids (2 Kings 6:8-23) - Elisha repeatedly warned Israel of Aramean ambushes; blinded enemy army and led them into Samaria.
47. Siege of Samaria (2 Kings 6:24-7:20) - Severe famine during siege ended when Arameans fled in panic, hearing phantom army sounds.
48. Jehu's Purge (2 Kings 9-10) - Jehu violently overthrew Joram, killed Jezebel and Ahab's descendants, and massacred Baal worshipers.
49. Edomite Revolt (2 Kings 8:20-22) - Edom successfully broke free from Judah's control during Jehoram's reign.
50. Hazael's Campaigns (2 Kings 10:32-33; 12:17-18) - Aramean king conquered Israelite territory east of Jordan and threatened Jerusalem until paid off.
51. Jehoshaphat's Victory (2 Chronicles 20) - Moab, Ammon, and Edom invaded Judah; after prayer and worship, enemies destroyed each other.
52. Jehoash vs. Amaziah (2 Kings 14:8-14) - Judah's king challenged Israel; was captured and Jerusalem's walls were breached.
53. Amaziah vs. Edom (2 Kings 14:7) - Judah killed 10,000 Edomites in Valley of Salt and captured Sela.
54. Uzziah's Military Campaigns (2 Chronicles 26:6-8) - Conquered Philistine cities, received tribute from Ammonites, built powerful army with innovative weapons.
55. Syro-Ephraimite War (2 Kings 16:5-9; Isaiah 7) - Israel and Aram allied against Judah; Ahaz appealed to Assyria for help.
56. Assyrian Conquest of Israel (2 Kings 17:1-6) - Shalmaneser besieged Samaria for three years; northern kingdom fell and population deported.
57. Sennacherib's Invasion (2 Kings 18-19; Isaiah 36-37) - Assyrian army threatened Jerusalem; angel killed 185,000 soldiers in one night.
58. Battle of Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29-30) - Josiah intercepted Pharaoh Neco; was mortally wounded and died in Jerusalem.
59. Battle of Carchemish (2 Chronicles 35:20-24; Jeremiah 46:2) - Egypt defeated by Babylon, shifting power balance in ancient Near East.
60. First Babylonian Siege (2 Kings 24:10-17) - Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, deported King Jehoiachin and 10,000 leading citizens.
61. Final Siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25) - Eighteen-month siege ended with temple destruction, city burning, and mass exile to Babylon.

New Testament Battles

The New Testament shifts focus from physical warfare to spiritual battles, though some military and civil conflicts are recorded. The emphasis moves to persecution of believers, spiritual warfare against demonic forces, and prophetic visions of end-times conflicts.

1. Wilderness Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13) - Jesus resisted Satan's three temptations using Scripture, establishing victory pattern for spiritual warfare.
2. Legion and the Swine (Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39) - Jesus cast out demon army possessing Gerasene man; demons entered herd of pigs that drowned.
3. Casting Out Demons (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 1:21-28) - Multiple accounts of Jesus' authority over demonic forces throughout His ministry.
4. The Seventy-Two Return (Luke 10:17-20) - Disciples reported demons submitted to them; Jesus saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
5. Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1-11) - Peter drew sword and cut off Malchus' ear; Jesus rebuked violence and healed the servant.
6. Jewish Uprising Under Judas (Acts 5:37) - Gamaliel referenced Judas the Galilean who led tax revolt; he and followers were scattered.
7. Stephen's Martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60) - First Christian martyr stoned to death; Saul approved, marking start of church persecution.
8. James' Execution (Acts 12:1-2) - Herod Agrippa killed apostle James with sword to please Jewish leaders.
9. Peter's Prison Rescue (Acts 12:3-19) - Angel freed Peter from chains and guards; Herod executed guards who failed to prevent escape.
10. Herod's Death (Acts 12:20-23) - King struck down by angel for accepting worship; eaten by worms and died.
11. Philippi Riot (Acts 16:16-24) - Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned after casting demon from fortune-telling slave girl.
12. Thessalonica Mob (Acts 17:5-9) - Jews formed mob and attacked Jason's house searching for Paul and Silas.
13. Corinthian Opposition (Acts 18:12-17) - Jews brought Paul before Gallio; synagogue leader Sosthenes beaten by crowd.
14. Sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-16) - Seven Jewish exorcists overpowered by demon-possessed man who recognized they lacked authority.
15. Ephesian Riot (Acts 19:23-41) - Demetrius the silversmith incited massive riot defending Artemis worship; Paul's companions dragged to theater.
16. Jerusalem Riot (Acts 21:27-36) - Mob seized Paul in temple; Roman commander rescued him from lynching by angry crowd.
17. Plot to Kill Paul (Acts 23:12-22) - Over 40 Jews vowed not to eat until they killed Paul; plot discovered and thwarted.
18. Shipwreck Journey (Acts 27) - Paul's voyage to Rome involved violent storm and shipwreck; soldiers planned to kill prisoners but centurion intervened.
19. Roman Persecution Under Nero (Referenced in 2 Timothy 4:6-8) - Paul faced execution; tradition holds both Peter and Paul martyred in Rome.
20. War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7-12) - Michael and angels fought dragon and his angels; Satan cast down to earth permanently.
21. Beast's War on Saints (Revelation 13:7) - Beast given power to make war against God's people and conquer them temporarily.
22. Gathering at Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16) - Demonic spirits gather kings of earth for battle at place called Armageddon in Hebrew.
23. Christ's Return and Battle (Revelation 19:11-21) - Rider on white horse leads heavenly armies; beast and false prophet thrown into lake of fire.
24. Satan's Final Rebellion (Revelation 20:7-10) - After thousand years, Satan released; deceives nations for final battle; consumed by fire from heaven.

Lessons from Biblical Conflicts

These battles throughout Scripture reveal consistent themes: God's sovereignty over nations, the consequences of obedience versus disobedience, the reality of spiritual warfare, and God's faithfulness to His promises. Whether physical or spiritual, each conflict demonstrates that ultimate victory belongs to the Lord.

From the walls of Jericho to the final defeat of Satan, biblical battles teach us to trust in God's power rather than our own strength, to fight spiritual battles with spiritual weapons, and to remain faithful even when facing overwhelming opposition.

Explore More Biblical Stories and Lessons

If you found this list of biblical conflicts insightful, you'll love exploring these related resources:

• Joshua and the Walls of Jericho Bible Story - Discover how God brought down the walls through faith and obedience
• David and Goliath Bible Story for Kids - Learn about the shepherd boy who defeated a giant with God's help
• Gideon Defeats the Midianites - See how God gave victory through an unlikely army of 300 men
• Story of the Israelites Crossing the Red Sea - Witness God's miraculous deliverance from Pharaoh's army
• Story of the Death of Absalom - Understand the tragic consequences of rebellion
• David Spares Saul's Life - Learn about integrity and trusting God's timing
• Elijah and the Prophets of Baal - Experience the dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel
• Leaders in the Bible and Their Characteristics - Study the qualities of biblical military and spiritual leaders
• Bible Stories About Trusting God - Discover how trust in God brings victory
• Stories of Courage in the Bible - Find inspiration from brave biblical figures