Introduction to Deuteronomy Chapter 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 the sword, excepting women, children, and cattle, Deuteronomy 20:10, but those of the seven nations were to be utterly destroyed, Deuteronomy 20:16, and, during a siege, no trees bearing fruit fit for food were to be cut down, Deuteronomy 20:19.
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