Mo'ses chose from all the Is'ra-el-ites a noble and courageous young man named Josh'u-a as the military leader for this battle. He also called out the men who were most likely to be good soldiers, and sent them into battle against the invading enemies. While the battle was raging, Mo'ses stationed himself on a high mountain in order to watch the movements of his army, and at the same time to lift his heart in prayer to the LORD. On either side of him stood his loyal assistants: Aa'ron, his brother and trusted adviser in many previous trying hours, and Hur, the good friend who was the husband of his sister Mir'i-am.
As the conflict grew fierce, Mo'ses lifted his hands toward Heaven in prayer. This attitude could no doubt be seen by Josh'u-a, and would give the young general new courage in the face of apparent defeat. At last Mo'ses became too weary to hold up his hands, and he sank down exhausted upon a stone. Then Aa'ron and Hur came to his aid, helped him to rise again, and held up his hands as he prayed.
Through the prayers of Mo'ses the armies of Is'ra-el were given new strength, and Josh'u-a was able to lead them in victory over the Am'a-lek-ites. The intercession of the man of God stretched its hands out to Heaven, and the dark portentous clouds of destruction had been quickly scattered; for human hands linked to Divinity become as strong as God. "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."
The children of Is'ra-el were taught many important lessons by this first experience of war after leaving E'gypt. They learnt to trust in the LORD when they were attacked by enemies, and to put their hopes before the LORD in earnest prayer. When the prayer of Mo'ses was interrupted, the enemy gaint the advantage; when his prayer was renewed, the Is'ra-el-ites won the battle.
After the great victory over the Am'a-lek-ites special thanks were offered to God, with sacrifices which represented the gratitude of all the people of Is'ra-el. Mo'ses was instructed to make a permanent record of the event for the encouragement of future generations who might be attacked by savage enemies.
