Tyndale Open Study NotesDeuteronomy 20

to fight for you: This promise shows that God starts wars, carries them out, and brings them to victory against his enemies.

The purpose of these wars was to remove enemies who refused to turn from evil and to protect his people from being corrupted (see 1:30).

another man marry her: In this situation, if a man died, he would not have children to carry on his name. Ancient Israel considered this to be a great tragedy.

The people living in the land of Canaan had already been placed under the ban (7:1–6). This means they were set apart for complete destruction as part of God’s judgment.

So this command refers to other nations. It applies to people whom Israel would fight outside the land (20:15).

forced laborers: These were people who had to work against their will. This kind of labor was often required of prisoners of war. At times, even some Israelites were made to do this work (1 Kings 5:13–18; 9:15, 21; 12:18).

cities that are far away: These were outside the borders of the promised land.

You must not cut them down: In war, armies often cut down trees. They do this so their enemies cannot use the trees for food or wood.

However, this situation was different. The Israelites were not simply attacking and leaving. They were going to live in that land.

Because they would settle there, the trees would be useful to them. The trees could provide food, shade, and building materials in the future.

This equipment consisted of the materials built up against a city wall as part of the effort to bring it under siege.