Deuteronomy 20:11

“And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, etc.] Comply with the terms of peace offered: and open unto thee; the gates of the city and its garrisons, and deliver all into their hands: then it shall be that all the people that is found therein; some having made their escape before the surrender of the city: shall be tributaries unto thee: pay a yearly tax imposed upon them, as the Moabites sometimes did, and which was paid in lambs and rams with the wool, (<120301>2 Kings 3:4) and they shall serve thee; not as slaves, or be in continual bondage and servitude; but upon occasion be called out to any public service, as joining them against their enemies, rebuilding palaces and cities, or…”

“Directions intended to prevent wanton destruction of life and property in sieges. Deuteronomy 20:16 Forbearance, however, was not to be shown toward the Canaanite nations, which were to be utterly exterminated (compare Deuteronomy 7:1-4). The command did not apply to beasts as well as men (compare Joshua 11:11, Joshua 11:14). Deuteronomy 20:19 The parenthesis may he more literally rendered “for man is a tree of the field,” i. e., has his life from the tree of the field, is supported in life by it (compare Deuteronomy 24:6). The Egyptians seem invariably to have cut down the fruit-trees in war. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain.…”

“20:11 forced labor: Involuntary service was pressed upon prisoners of war and sometimes on Israelites (1 Kgs 5:13-18; 9:15, 21; 12:18).”

“tributaries: Lev 25:42-46; Jos 9:22, Jos 9:23, Jos 9:27, Jos 11:19, Jos 11:20, Jos 16:10; Jdg 1:28, Jdg 1:30-35; Kg1 9:21, Kg1 9:22; Psa 120:7; Luk 19:14 Deuteronomy 20:13”