GARRISON (מַצָּב, H5163, 2 Sam 23:14; מַצָּבָה, H5165, 1 Sam 14:12; נְצִיב֒, H5907, 1 Sam 10:5; 13:3, 4). A garrison is a group of troops usually assigned to a fortress or to a strategic frontier area primarily for defensive purposes. Larger military units would be needed for an offensive drive. Garrisons were placed by the Philistines in the Judean region of Israel (1 Sam 14). Once David brought these garrisons under his control, he then placed his own garrisons in Edom and Syria.