HOST

an entertainer (Rom. 16:23); a tavern-keeper, the keeper of a caravansary (Luke 10:35).

In warfare, a troop or military force. This consisted at first only of infantry. Solomon afterwards added cavalry (1-Kings 4:26;10:26). Every male Israelite from twenty to fifty years of age was bound by the law to bear arms when necessary (Num. 1:3;26:2; 2-Chr 25:5).

Saul was the first to form a standing army (1-Sam 13:2;24:2). This example was followed by David (1-Chr 27:1), and Solomon (1-Kings 4:26), and by the kings of Israel and Judah (2-Chr 17:14;26:11; 2-Kings 11:4, 2-Kings 11: etc.).