2 Kings 3:19

“And ye shall smite every fenced city and every choice city, etc.] That is, the inhabitants of them with the sword, and demolish them also, (<120301>2 Kings 3:25), and shall fell every good tree; which seems contrary to the law in (<052019>Deuteronomy 20:19), but that may respect trees belonging to a city when besieged only, or only to Canaanitish cities; or the law was now dispensed with, and that for this time only, to make the punishment of Moab the greater, for their rebellion and other sins: and stop all wells of water; which must be very distressing to those that survived the calamity of the sword: and mar every good piece of land with stones; as that it could not be ploughed and sowed,…”

“Ye shall fell every good tree - This is not an infringement of the rule laid down in Deuteronomy 20:19-20. The Israelites were not forbidden to fell the fruit trees in an enemy’s country, as a part of the ravage of war, when they had no thoughts of occupying the country. The plan of thus injuring an enemy was probably in general use among the nations of these parts at the time. We see the destruction represented frequently on the Assyrian monuments and mentioned in the inscriptions of Egypt. And stop all wells of water - The stoppage of wells was a common feature of ancient, and especially Oriental, warfare (compare Genesis 26:15-18). Mar ... with stones - The exact converse of that…”

“Ye shall smite - And if this command seem severe, it must be considered, that the Moabites were a very wicked people, perfidious, cruel, implacable enemies to God's people upon all occasions, and now in a state of rebellion. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 3:20”

“And ye: Kg2 13:17; Num 24:17; Jdg 6:16; Sa1 15:3, Sa1 23:2 fell: Deu 20:19, Deu 20:20 mar: Heb. grieve, Kg2 3:25 4 Kings (2 Kings) 3:20”