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

HOSTAGE a person delivered into the hands of another as a security for the performance of some promise, etc. (2 Kings 14:14; 2 Chronicles 25:24).