Deuteronomy 20:10-18 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:10-20

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. They must not make a descent upon any of their neighbours till they had first given them fair notice, by a public manifesto, or remonstrance, stating the ground of their quarrel with them. In dealing with the worst of enemies, the laws of justice and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:10

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it ,.... This is to be understood of an arbitrary war, as Jarchi observes; which they engaged in of themselves, or were provoked to by their enemies; which was their own choice, and according to their own will and pleasure; and their conduct towards their enemies in it was different from that in a war with the seven nations, commanded by the Lord, and distinguished from it, Deuteronomy 20:15 . then proclaim peace unto it ; that is,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:11

And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace ,.... Comply with the terms of peace offered: and open unto thee ; the gates of the city and its garrisons, and deliver all into their hands: then it shall be that all the people that is found therein ; some having made their escape before the surrender of the city: shall be tributaries unto thee : pay a yearly tax imposed upon them, as the Moabites sometimes did, and which was paid in lambs and rams with the wool, 2 Kings 3:4 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:12

And if it will make no peace with thee ,.... Will not accept of terms of peace offered: but will make war against thee ; come out and fight, or prepare to defend themselves: then thou shall besiege it; surround and block it up on all sides with their forces; the Jews say only on three sides, leaving one for any to flee and make their escape if they thought fit; See Gill on Numbers 31:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:13

And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands ,.... When, what with pressures without, and calamities within, the city is obliged to surrender: this is not to be imputed to the methods and arts of war used in besieging, or to the courage and skill of the besiegers; but to the power and providence of God succeeding means used, and sending famine or pestilence among the besieged, and inclining their hearts to deliver up their city: thou shall smite every male thereof with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:14

But the women, the little ones, and the cattle ,.... These were to be spared; women, because of the weakness of their sex, and subjection to their husbands; and little ones, which take in males as well as females, as Jarchi observes, because of their tender age; and cattle because of their insensibility; all these having had no concern in holding out the siege: and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shall thou take unto thyself ; gold, silver, merchandise, household... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:15

Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee ,.... As all such were reckoned that were without the land of Israel, even all in their neighbouring nations, the Moabites, Edomites, Ammonites, Syrians, &c.; for the children of Israel never went to war with any very distant nations, unless they came unto them and invaded them; nor did they seek to carry their conquests to any great distance, when the most powerful and victorious, as in the days of David and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of those people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance ,.... The cities of the seven nations, six of which are mentioned by name in the next verse: thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth ; the reason of this severity was because of their wickedness, the capital crimes and gross abominations they were guilty of, and for which they deserved to die; and on account whereof they were reserved to this destruction, when the measure of their iniquities... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:17

But thou shalt utterly destroy them ,.... Men, women, and children: some think this is to be understood only of such cities which did not accept of terms of peace; for they are of opinion that Joshua made proclamation of peace to all the cities of Canaan; which being not complied with, he destroyed them as they fell into his hands; and they suppose that the Gibeonites had not heard of such a proclamation, and therefore were spared; and it is certain that there were many who were suffered to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:18

That they teach you not to do after all their abominations ,.... This is another reason why they were to be utterly destroyed, not only because of the abominations which they committed, but to prevent the Israelites being taught by them to do the same; wherefore, as before observed from Jarchi, such as became proselytes were suffered to live among them, because there was no danger of idolatry from them, which even proselytes of the gate renounced; and though all other abominations are... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:10-20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:18

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