5 And the officers H7860 shall speak H1696 unto the people, H5971 saying, H559 What man H376 is there that hath built H1129 a new H2319 house, H1004 and hath not dedicated H2596 it? let him go H3212 and return H7725 to his house, H1004 lest he die H4191 in the battle, H4421 and another H312 man H376 dedicate H2596 it.
And at the dedication H2598 of the wall H2346 of Jerusalem H3389 they sought H1245 the Levites H3881 out of all their places, H4725 to bring H935 them to Jerusalem, H3389 to keep H6213 the dedication H2598 with gladness, H8057 both with thanksgivings, H8426 and with singing, H7892 with cymbals, H4700 psalteries, H5035 and with harps. H3658
So I took H3947 the chief H7218 of your tribes, H7626 wise H2450 men, H582 and known, H3045 and made H5414 them heads H7218 over you, captains H8269 over thousands, H505 and captains H8269 over hundreds, H3967 and captains H8269 over fifties, H2572 and captains H8269 over tens, H6235 and officers H7860 among your tribes. H7626
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Deuteronomy 20
Commentary on Deuteronomy 20 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 20
This chapter settles the militia, and establishes the laws and ordinances of war,
Deu 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, marshalling, and drawing up their own forces. And it is observable that the discipline of war here prescribed is so far from having any thing in it harsh or severe, as is usual in martial law, that the intent of the whole is, on the contrary, to encourage the soldiers, and to make their service easy to them.
Deu 20:10-20
They are here directed what method to take in dealing with the cities (these only are mentioned, v. 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 honour must be observed; and, as the sword must never be taken in hand without cause, so not without cause shown. War is an appeal, in which the merits of the cause must be set forth.