Deuteronomy 20:13

“And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, etc.] When, what with pressures without, and calamities within, the city is obliged to surrender: this is not to be imputed to the methods and arts of war used in besieging, or to the courage and skill of the besiegers; but to the power and providence of God succeeding means used, and sending famine or pestilence among the besieged, and inclining their hearts to deliver up their city: thou shall smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword; the men in it, grown persons, as distinguished from little ones in the next verse; because it was owing to these it was not surrendered at once, when terms of peace were offered.”

“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.…”

“thou shalt smite: Num 31:7-9, Num 31:17, Num 31:18; Kg1 11:15, Kg1 11:16; Psa 2:6-12, Psa 21:8, Psa 21:9, Psa 110:1; Luk 19:27; Th2 1:7-9 Deuteronomy 20:14”