Deuteronomy 20:14

“But the women, the little ones, and the cattle, etc.] These were to be spared; women, because of the weakness of their sex, and subjection to their husbands; and little ones, which take in males as well as females, as Jarchi observes, because of their tender age; and cattle because of their insensibility; all these having had no concern in holding out the siege: and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shall thou take unto thyself; gold, silver, merchandise, household goods, utensils in trade, and whatever was of any worth and value to be found in their houses: and thou shall eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee; that is, enjoy all their…”

“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.…”

“the women: Num 31:9, Num 31:12, Num 31:18, 35-54; Jos 8:2, Jos 11:14; Ch2 14:13-15, Ch2 20:25; Psa 68:12; Rom 8:37 take unto thyself: Heb. spoil thou shalt eat: Jos 22:8 Deuteronomy 20:16”