John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 7:2
Verse 2 2.Thou shalt smite them and utterly destroy them. Those who think that there was cruelty in this command, usurp too great authority in respect to Him who is the judge of all. The objection is specious that the people of God were unreasonably imbued with inhumanity, so that, advancing with murderous atrocity, they should spare neither sex nor age. But we must first remember what we shall see hereafter, i.e., that when God had destined the land for His people, He was at liberty utterly to... read more
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 7:6
Thou art a holy people - And therefore should have no connection with the workers of iniquity. A special people - סגלה segullah , - Septuagint, λαον περιουσιον , - a peculiar people, a private property. The words as they stand in the Septuagint are quoted by the apostle, 1 Peter 2:9 . read more