Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryDeuteronomy 20

Horses, and chariots. The Canaanites had large numbers of chariots (Joshua 11:4; Judges 4:3). The army of Israel was composed of infantrymen; they never lost their fear of armed chariots (Joshua 17:16; Judges 1:19; 1 Sam. 13:5, 6). Not until David’s time did they have chariots of their own (2 Sam. 8:4). Be not afraid. Jehovah had brought them out of Egypt; He would be with them in the vicissitudes of battle that lay ahead (Ps. 20:6–8). God is with thee. For the same promise under other circumstances see chs. 1:30, 42; 7:21. Compare the message of Isaiah to Ahaz in his conflict with Rezin and Pekah (Isa. 7:4–14; 8:8, 10).

The priest shall approach. See Num. 31:6; 2 Chron. 13:12. For the ark being taken to the field of battle, see 1 Sam. 4:4, 5 (cf. 2 Sam. 11:11), and a sacrifice being offered to God for victory in battle, see 1 Sam. 7:9; cf. 1 Sam. 13:9–13.

Faint. Better, “be soft,” “be tender,” “be weak.” For other uses of the word translated “faint” see 2 Kings 22:19; Ps. 55:21; Isa. 1:6.

The Lord your God. Compare the confidence of David (1 Sam. 17:45; Ps. 20:7). Sacrifices were often offered to God at the opening of a campaign in order to invoke His presence. In the last great struggle preliminary to the second coming of Christ, Jehovah is represented as being present in person to do battle (see Isa. 13:6–14; Joel 3:9–21; Rev. 16:14–16; 19:11–16).

Officers. The same word here translated “officers” is found in Ex. 5:6, 10, 14, 15, 19; Num. 11:16; Deut. 1:15; 16:18; Joshua 1:10; etc., and as “overseer” in Prov. 6:7. These men were civil magistrates, for the army of Israel was not a body of professional soldiers.

Dedicated. The verb thus translated is used of the dedication of an altar (Num. 7:10) and of the sanctuary (1 Kings 8:63; 2 Chron. 7:5), but here of a private house. Not yet eaten. The owner could not lawfully eat the fruit of the vineyard for the first three years after planting (Lev. 19:23; etc.). In the fourth year he was to carry the fruit to Jerusalem and eat it there as a thank offering (Lev. 19:24). But from the fifth year, inclusive, the fruit was his (Lev. 19:25). Betrothed a wife. This exemption was an act of consideration so that the man might not die without having children to perpetuate his name and interests. This exemption lasted one year (ch. 24:5). The three exemptions noted in vs. 5–7 could not fail to have a beneficial effect on the economy of the nation. They were an important alleviation of the insecurity and utterly disturbing effects of war upon the entire life of a people.

Fearful and fainthearted. It was felt necessary to protect the army from the infectious spirit of cowardice. It is equally necessary to maintain a high level of courage in the Christian warfare. Victories are gained by discipline, courage, devotion to duty, and a spirit of self-sacrifice (Luke 14:26, 27; Gal. 6:9).

Captains. Referring to officers in command of companies of thousands, hundreds, or fifties (see Num. 31:14, 48; 1 Sam. 8:12; 22:7; 2 Sam. 18:1). The singular number, captain of a “host,” is used to designate the commander in chief of the entire army (Gen. 21:22; 2 Sam. 2:8; 1 Kings 16:16).

Proclaim peace. Meaning terms of surrender. See offers of negotiation made by Ben-hadad of Syria to Ahab, king of Israel (1 Kings 20:1–6), and by the representative of the king of Assyria to Hezekiah, king of Judah (2 Kings 18:17–37).

Tributaries. The word thus translated is a collective noun indicating a body of forced laborers (see RSV). King Solomon placed such a levy upon the people, some 30,000 in all (1 Kings 5:13), to be sent to Lebanon (1 Kings 5:14; cf. 1 Kings 9:15, 20, 21; 12:18; 2 Chron. 10:18). In Isa. 31:8 the same word is translated “discomfited.”

No peace. A rejection of the offer of peace was regarded as a declaration of war, and hostilities began.

Smite every male. The rejection of the offer of peace was the expression of a determination to continue the worship of idols, with all its attendant immoralities. The moral rottenness and total depravity of the inhabitants of idolatrous cities made their destruction inevitable if they refused to accept God and turn their backs upon idolatry.

Spoil. Precious metals, cloth, stocks of food, and all manner of household goods (see ch. 2:35).

Cities. Referring specifically to the cities of Canaan. No peace offer was to be made to them; God had previously given strict injunctions as to sparing any of them (Ex. 23:31–33; 34:11–16). Every precaution was taken to protect Israel from the degrading forms of idolatry practiced by the Canaanites. On the abominations of these people, see Lev. 18:24–28; 20:23.

Utterly destroy. Literally, “dedicate,” that is, to destruction. Hittites. Compare Deut. 7:1 and Joshua 24:11, where seven nations are enumerated, not six. Here, the Girgashites are omitted. Commanded thee. See ch. 7:2; cf. the instructions recorded in Ex. 23:31–33.

Abominations. This points to the supreme reason for the severe measures taken. Great wickedness coupled with the rejection of mercy demanded judgment (see chs. 7:26;

12:31). When “the iniquity of the Amorites” was full, judgment came (see Gen. 15:16; 1 Kings 21:26).

The trees. The fruit trees would give refreshment and sustenance. They could not be grown in a day. The tree of the field. The word “life” is not in the Hebrew text. Compare 1 Sam. 16:20, which reads literally, an “ass of bread,” meaning an ass loaded with bread. Similarly, fruit trees are spoken of as being for the support of men. The RSV reads, “Are the trees in the field men that they should be besieged by you?”

For meat. Literally, “for food.” Bulwarks. Literally, “siege-works” (RSV). The reference is to various of ramparts, trenches, etc., built to aid in the subjugation of a city. The same word is translated “fenced” (2 Chron. 8:5); “for defence” (2 Chron. 11:5); “fortress” (Jer. 10:17); “fortified” (Micah 7:12); “the tower” (Hab. 2:1; cf. 2 Chron. 26:15; 2 Sam. 20:15). Be subdued. Literally, “come down” (see Deut. 28:52; Isa. 32:19).