The ancients started with faith,  seeking God, sacrifice and being with the people of God. Next was recognizing that their strength came from God, not themselves.

They realized for the first time they needed signs from God and his Spirit to strengthen them. The devil, in predictable response, shows his own strength by introducing evil spirits for the first time.

5) Judges and Kings: “whose weakness was turned to STRENGTH” – Heb 11:34 

• vs. pride – “God, I recognize my strength comes from you, not what I have”
  • Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. (1 Chr 21:1)

• Ask for a Sign – “God, show me a sign that you will strengthen me”
  • Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened. (Jdg 6:36-38)

• God Strength – “God, let your Spirit come upon me with strength”
  • The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. (Jdg 14:6)

• Evil Spirits Leave – “God, may demons now flee because of your strength”
  • Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. (1 Sa 16:23)