Deut. 20 The priest’s exhortation to encourage the people to fight their enemies, Deut. 20:1–4. The officers’ proclamation who are to be dismissed from the war, Deut. 20:5–9. A proclamation of peace to be made to besieged cities, Deut. 20:10, and to deal with them as they accept or refuse it, Deut.

When thou goest out to battle, upon a just and necessary cause, as upon great provocation, or for thy own defence.

The priest; an eminent priest appointed for this work, and to blow with the holy trumpets, Num. 10:9, Num. 31:6. Speak unto the people; either successively to one regiment of the army after another, or to some by himself, to others by his brethren or deputies, which accompanied him for that end.

Faint, Heb. be soft or tender. Softness or tenderness of heart towards God is commended, 2 Kings 22:19, but towards enemies it is condemned, here and Deut. 20:8, Lev. 26:36, 2 Chron. 13:7, Isa. 7:4.

Houses were dedicated by feasting and thanksgiving to God. See Ps. 30:1, Neh. 12:27. Heb. hath initiated it, i. e. entered upon it, taken possession of it, dwelt in it.

This and the former dispensation were generally convenient, but more necessary in the beginning of their settlement in Canaan, for the encouragement of those who should build houses or plant vineyards, which was chargeable to them, and beneficial to the commonwealth. Eaten of it, Heb.

Betrothing was done by a solemn and mutual promise, but not by an actual contract. See Gen. 19:14, Deut. 22:23.

Or rather, as the Hebrew hath it, they shall set or place the captains of the armies in the head or front of the people under their charge, that they may conduct and manage them, and by their example encourage their soldiers.

This seems to be understood not of the cities of the Canaanites, as is manifest from Deut. 20:16–18, who were under an absolute sentence of utter destruction, Ex. 23:32–33, Deut. 7:1–2; whence they are blamed that made any league or peace with them, Judg.

By their purses, and by their labours too, as appears from 1 Kings 9:15, 2 Chron. 8:7–8

A just punishment of their obstinate refusal of peace offered.

The little ones, excused by their sex or age, as not involved in the guilt, nor being likely to revenge their quarrel.

Heb. no seed, i.e. no man, as that word is oft used. Compare Josh. 10:40, with Deut. 11:14. For the beasts, some few excepted as being under a special curse, were given them for a prey.

The trees thereof, to wit, the fruit trees, as appears from the following words; which is to be understood of a general destruction of them, not of the cutting down of some few of them, as the conveniency of the siege might require. Man’s life, i.e.