Deuteronomy 20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 20

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. Those must be dismissed and sent back again whose private affairs called for their attendance at home (Deut. 20:5-7), or whose weakness and timidity unfitted them for service in the field, Deut. 20:8, 9. II. Relating to the enemies they made war with. 1. The treaties they must make with the cities that were far... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:1-9

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 enlarge their coast without hearing the alarms of war. It was therefore needful that they should have directions given them in their military affairs; and in these verses they are directed in managing,... read more

Matthew Henry

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

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 20 In this chapter rules are given to be observed in times of war. When a battle was near, a priest was to address the soldiers, and encourage them to fight, Deuteronomy 20:1 , then the officers were to declare who might return home, Deuteronomy 20:5 when an enemy's city was approached, peace was to be proclaimed on certain conditions, which, if accepted of, the inhabitants were to be tributaries and servants, but if not, when taken, all were to be put to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:1

When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies ,.... There were two sorts of war the Israelites were engaged in, one commanded and another permitted, as Maimonides F3 Hilchot Melachim, c. 7. sect. 1. distinguishes; one was by the order and appointment of God, as against the seven nations of Canaan; the other was voluntary and arbitrary, which was left to their own discretion and will, as they saw fit, when they were provoked or distressed, or were invaded by their enemies, or they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:2

When all things are preparing for it, and it seems unavoidable: that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people ; not any priest, but one appointed for this service; who is called the anointed of war , as Jarchi and Aben Ezra observe, and concerning whom Maimonides F4 Hilchot Melachim, c. 7. sect. 1,2. is more particular; he says,"they appoint a priest to speak to the people at the time of war, and they anoint him with the anointing oil, and he is called the anointed of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:3

And shall say unto them, hear, O Israel ,.... Exciting their attention to what he was about to say, and which, as Jarchi observes, was spoken in the holy tongue, or in the Hebrew language: you approach this day unto battle against your enemies ; were marching or ready to march, preparing to engage with them, and a battle seemed near at hand: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them ; many words are made use of to animate them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:4

For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you ,.... To battle, and therefore they had no reason to fear and be dismayed, to be fainthearted, terrified, and tremble: fear not, I am with thee ,.... Isaiah 41:10 , this, according to the Misnah F6 Ut supra. (Misn. Sotab, c. 8. sect. 1.) , respects the ark, and so Jarchi, which was a symbol of the divine Presence, and went with them to battle; see Joshua 6:4 . to fight for you against your enemies, to save you ; to annoy and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:5

And the officers shall speak unto the people ,.... What these officers were is not easy to say; they seem not to be officers of the army, for they are distinguished from captains of the armies, Deuteronomy 20:9 , unless they can be thought to be general officers; but the word for them is the same that is used of such that attended the judges and were ministers to them, Deuteronomy 16:18 , and perhaps they were a sort of heralds that published and proclaimed what the anointed of war had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:6

And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it ?.... Which he has a right to do, and it is hard for him to be deprived of it, 1 Corinthians 9:7 or "hath not made it common" F11 לא חללו "necdum fecit eam esse communem", V. L. "et non fecit eam communem", Vatablus, Fagius. ; according to the law in Leviticus 19:23 . Three years the fruit of trees, and so of vines, might not be eaten; in the fourth, they were devoted to the Lord, and might be... read more

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