Military Leaders, Centurions in the Bible Quiz

Answer: Barak

During the time when Deborah was judge of Israel, Barak served as leader of the military. The two comprised an impressive and unbeatable team. Much of Chapter 4 of Judges tells of Deborah and Barak leading the Israelites to an overwhelming military victory over their Canaanite adversaries, led by Sisera. Judges 4:15, in the NKJV, states: "And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot."

Sisera would be later killed by an Israelite woman, Jael, who drove a tent peg through his skull while he was sleeping.

Answer: Jephthah

Jephthah was the son of Gilead and an unnamed harlot, as per Judges 11:1. Gilead would later marry, and when he and his unnamed wife had sons, Scripture states "they drove Jephthah out" exclaiming, "you shall have no inheritance in our father's house, for you are the son of another woman." As a result, Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob.

Scripture goes on to tell of Jephthah becoming commander of the Israelite army and then becoming judge of the nation.

Jephthah is perhaps best known for making a vow with God in a heated battle with the Ammonites that resulted in the death of his daughter. As part of the vow, Jephthah promised God he would offer up in sacrifice the first person who came out of the door of his house, providing God would give him a military victory over the Ammonites. Scripture goes on to tell of the army led by Jephthah trouncing the Ammonites and when Jephthah returned home, the first person to come out the door of his house was his unnamed daughter.

Answer: Gideon

Judges 7 tells of Gideon, who was also a judge of Israel, leading three hundred soldiers to a spectacular victory over thousands of Midianite warriors. (The exact number of Midianite soldiers is not given.) According to Scripture, Gideon originally had 32,000 soldiers at his command, but 22,000 of them were excused as they confessed they were terrified at the thought of fighting against such a massive army.

Gideon then received instructions from the LORD to lead the remaining 10,000 soldiers to water and to pay careful attention to how the men drank water. It was noted three hundred men lapped water with their tongues from their cupped hands like a dog and, surprisingly, they were selected to follow Joshua into battle.

And wouldn't you know it. Scripture goes on to tell of Gideon and his three hundred soldiers scoring a miraculous victory over their adversaries.

According to Judges 6:12 in the NIV Bible, Gideon means "Mighty Warrior."

Answer: Joab

Joab was not only the commander of the Israelite army in the days of David, he was also the king's nephew. According to Scripture, Joab was the son of David's sister, Zuriah. Joab had two other brothers -- Abishai and Asahel.

Joab was a ferocious military leader, responsible for leading the Israelites to a number of victories. However, he was also ruthless. For example, he was part of David's scheme to kill Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba.

Joab also killed Absalom, David's rebellious son. The death of Absalom caused considerable grief for David.

Answer: Abner

Abner is the correct answer. He was the leader of the military for Saul's son Ishbosheth, who ruled over a portion of Israel. David ruled over the other portion and the two sides were locked in a bitter civil war. The war was waged after the death of Saul, first king of Israel.

Scripture tells of Abner defecting to David's camp after Ishbosheth accused him of having an affair with Rizpah, a concubine of Saul. Abner was highly agitated by the charge.

Scripture goes on to tell of Abner defecting to David's camp, but being killed by Joab.

For details about Abner's defection and his death, see 2 Samuel 3:1-39.

Answer: David

David was a ferocious fighter and a fearless leader of armies. One of many battles he fought involved a raid to free his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, who had been taken captive, along with a large number of other people from Judah, by a raiding party of Amalekites.

After finding out the location of the invaders, Scripture tells of David staging a surprise attack while the Amalekites were celebrating. David's raid was a total success.

Details can be found in 1 Samuel 30:16-20.

Answer: Joshua

Joshua and the Israelites suffered a stinging defeat at Ai due to the antics of Achan. The LORD turned against the Israelites after Achan stole a large amount of forbidden booty during the capture of Jericho.

Joshua 7:21 tells of Achan making his confession of guilt to Joshua, admitting he stole a number of items contrary to the LORD'S instructions.

After Achan made his confession, he was executed.

Scripture goes on to tell of Joshua successfully conquering Ai after the death of Achan and the removal of his booty from the Isrealite camp.

Answer: No name is given

No name is given for the centurion who proclaimed Jesus to be the "Son of God" after Christ's death by crucifixion at Calvary. According to Matthew 27:51-53, some amazing things transpired immediately after Christ's death.

Scripture states that after Jesus died "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised."

After experiencing the earthquake, Scripture states the unnamed centurion, as well those who with him, proclaimed, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

Answer: Julius

Julius was the name of the centurion who was given the responsibility of transporting Paul by ship to Rome to appear before Caesar. Not much is known about Julius, but Acts 27:1 states he was a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.

Scripture goes on to tell of the ship being battered by a severe storm on the Mediterranean Sea before running aground off the coast of Malta. All two hundred and sixty-six people aboard the ship made it safely to land. While in Malta, Paul seized the opportunity to preach the Gospel message.

Answer: Cornelius

Going strictly by Scripture, Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment, was among the first believers in a resurrected Jesus Christ. Scripture speaks highly of Cornelius, stating he was "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always."

Acts 10 tells of Peter travelling to Caesarea to meet with Cornelius and then baptizing him, his household and his friends.