XX.
LAWS OF WARFARE.
(1) WHEN THOU GOEST OUT TO BATTLE — i.e., generally; not only in the
immediate conquest of Canaan. Yet it may be observed that in the
writings of Moses it is foreseen that the completion of the conquest
will be gradual, and that Israel will have to go to battle many times
befor... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRIEST. — There is no mention of the Levite here. The priest is
named as a distinct personage. The words which the priest are to
pronounce are, as it were, the blessing of Jehovah on the campaign. It
follows that Israel could not lawfully go to war except when the
blessing of Jehovah might be in... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NOT YOUR HEARTS FAINT, FEAR NOT. — In these words Isaiah
strengthened Ahaz (Deuteronomy 7:4): “fear not, neither be
faint-hearted.”
TREMBLE. — As in the Margin, _“_make haste.” (Comp. 2 Samuel
4:4, and 2 Kings 7:15.)
BE YE TERRIFIED. — A strong word. The idea is, “do not even be
unnerved, much... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS HE THAT GOETH WITH YOU. — “They come in
the might of flesh and blood; but ye come in the might of the
Eternal” (Rashi). So David to Goliath: “Thou comest to me with a
sword and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the
name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE OFFICERS. — The _shôterim_ of Deuteronomy 16:18; the civil
magistrates apparently. The organisation of Israel was not military,
but military leaders were to be appointed for special services, as
appears by Deuteronomy 20:9, “they shall make captains of the
armies.” The captains of thousands,... [ Continue Reading ]
CAPTAINS OF THE ARMIES — i.e., special leaders for the campaigns,
whose command would probably cease when it was over. We may suppose
from mention of the “thousands” in the army — “the captain of
their thousand” (1 Samuel 17:18) — that the military divisions
corresponded with the civil organization... [ Continue Reading ]
Deuteronomy 20:10. SIEGES.
(10) WHEN THOU COMEST NIGH... PROCLAIM PEACE. — Not as the children
of Dan did, who massacred the inhabitants of Laish without warning
(Judges 18:27). Even in the wars of Joshua, the cities that “stood
still in their strength” were generally spared (Joshua 11:13).
(15) T... [ Continue Reading ]