Deuteronomy 20:17-18

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 20:17

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 20:17

But thou shalt utterly destroy them - The above reasoning will gain considerable strength, provided we could translate תחרימם החרם כי ki hacharem tacharimem , thou shalt utterly subdue them - slaying them if they resist, and thus leaving nothing alive that breathed; or totally expel them from the land, or reduce them to a state of slavery in it, that they might no longer exist as a people. This certainly made them an anathema as a nation, wholly destroying their political existence.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:1-20

EXPOSITION DIRECTIONS CONCERNING WARFARE IN GENERAL , AND FOR THE BESIEGING OF CITIES IN PARTICULAR . The instructions in this chapter are peculiar to Deuteronomy. As the people of God, Israel was not a warlike nation; they were rather to abstain from warfare, and as a general rule to cultivate the arts of peace. But they had before them at this time the prospect of a serious and protracted conflict before they could occupy the land which God had assigned to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:1-20

Wars to be regulated by Divine precepts. The directions given by Moses in this chapter may serve to show the spirit in which wars should, if undertaken at all, be entered on and prosecuted. We are not called upon here to moot the question whether war is under any circumstances justifiable; since the principle on which the Hebrew lawgiver proceeds is that of tolerating for a while certain socially accepted customs, mitigating whatever in them is evil, and gradually educating people out of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:1-20

Religious wars. We have in this chapter an instructive direction about the prosecution of a religious war. For, after all, war may be the only way of advancing the interests of nations. Disputes become so entangled, and great principles become so staked in the disputes, that war is welcomed as the one way to peace and progress. It is an awful expedient, but there are worse things than war. "Cowardice," said Rev. F. W. Robertson, of Brighton, "is worse. And the decay of enthusiasm and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:10-20

Directions concerning the besieging of towns . In the case of a town at a distance, not belonging to any of the Canaanitish tribes, on advancing against it they were first of all to summon the inhabitants to a peaceable surrender and submission (cf. 21:13 ). If this was complied with, the inhabitants were to become tributary to the Israelites and serve them; but if this was refused, the town was to be besieged, and, when taken, all the males were to be slain, and the women and children,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:10-20

Forbearance and severity. If these rules embody a severity happily rare in modern warfare, they also exhibit a forbearance which many modern nations might well learn from. We have here— I. WAR 'S HORRORS MITIGATED . 1. Peace was invariably to be offered before attack to a foreign city ( Deuteronomy 20:10 , Deuteronomy 20:11 ). It is presumed that the war was just, and undertaken with the sanction of Jehovah. If peace was accepted, no one was to be injured, but only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:10-20

The terrible side of human duty. Sin has made such fatal havoc in our world, that the most severe remedies have to be applied. In the administration of these remedies God has chosen to employ men. Thus he allies himself with us and makes us partners with him in the administration of his kingdom. "Such honor have all his saints." I. THE AIMS OF THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED . Every aim which is formed in God's mind is a seed of righteousness. Therefore... read more

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