utterly destroy all that they have The word translated "utterly destroy" means "to ban," or "to devote," and hence since that which was cheremor "devoted" might not be taken as spoil, it comes to signify "utterly destroy." See Leviticus 27:28-29; Joshua 6:17 ff. The word is used in Samuel only in this chapter.

On the "moral difficulty" involved in this command see Note V. p. 240.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising