Deuteronomy 20:5-20

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 20:5

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:7

And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her ?.... Home to his house and bedded with her; has only betrothed her, but is not properly married to her, the nuptials are not completed; this the Jews understand of anyone betrothed to him, whether a virgin or a widow, or the wife of a deceased brother (yea, they say, if his brother is dead in war, he returns and comes home), but not of a former wife divorced and received again F13 Misn. Sotah, ib. sect. 2. : ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:8

And the officers shall speak further unto the people ,.... According to Maimonides F14 Ut supra. (Hilchot Melachim, c. 7. sect. 3.) , the priest the anointed of war spoke to the end of Deuteronomy 20:7 and which the officers repeated after him to the people aloud, as before observed; and then after that an officer speaks of himself, or in his own words, and not in those of the priest, as follows: what man that is fearful , &c.; and then another officer causes all the people... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:9

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people ,.... By reciting what the anointed of war said unto them, and by speeches of their own framing, to encourage to the battle; and all were dismissed that had leave to depart, and chose to take it: that they shall make captains of armies to lead on the people ; on to battle; that is, either the officers should do this, which may seem to confirm what has been hinted, that they might be generals of the army, who... 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

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