In the days of Saul and David the people of Israel engaged in many wars with the nations around, and after the division of the kingdom into two they often warred with each other. They had to defend themselves also against the inroads of the Egyptians, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians. The whole history of Israel from first to last presents but few periods of peace.

The Christian life is represented as a warfare, and the Christian graces are also represented under the figure of pieces of armour (Ephesians 6:11-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:3,4 ). The final blessedness of believers is attained as the fruit of victory (Revelation 3:21 ).