Deuteronomy 20:1

CHAPTER XX

Directions concerning campaigns, 1.

The priest shall encourage the people with the assurance that

God will accompany and fight for them, 2-4.

The officers shalt dismiss from the army all who had just built

a new house, but had not dedicated it, 5.

All who had planted a vineyard, but had not yet eaten of its

fruits, 6.

All who had betrothed a wife, but had not brought her home, 7.

And all who were timid and faint-hearted, 8.

The commanders to be chosen after the timid, c., had retired, 9.

No city to be attacked till they had proclaimed conditions of

peace to it, provided it be a city beyond the bounds of the

seven Canaanitish nations if it submitted, it was to become

tributary; if not, it was to be besieged, sacked, and all the

males put to the sword; the women, children, and cattle to be

taken as booty, 19-15.

No such offers to be made to the cities of the Canaanites; of

them nothing shall be preserved, and the reason, 16-18.

In besieging a city no trees to be cut down but those which do

not bear fruit, 19, 20.

NOTES ON CHAP. XX

Verse Deuteronomy 20:1. When thou goest out to battle] This refers chiefly to the battles they were to have with the Canaanites, in order to get possession of the promised land; for it cannot be considered to apply to any wars which they might have with the surrounding nations for political reasons, as the Divine assistance could not be expected in wars which were not undertaken by the Divine command.