This chapter settles the militia, and establishes the laws and ordinances of war, I. Relating to the soldiers. 1. Those must be encouraged that were drawn up to battle, Deut. 20:1–4. 2.

Israel was at this time to be considered rather as a camp than as a kingdom, entering upon an enemy’s country, and not yet settled in a country of their own; and, besides the war they were now entering upon in order to their settlement, even after their settlement they could neither protect nor…

They are here directed what method to take in dealing with the cities (these only are mentioned, Deut. 20:10, but doubtless the armies in the field, and the nations they had occasion to deal with, are likewise intended) upon which they made war.