Deu 20: "In this chapter rules are given to be observed in
times of war. When a battle was near, a priest was to address the soldiers, and
encourage them to fight (Deu 20:1-4), then the officers were to declare who
might return home (Deu 20:5-9). When an enemy's city was approached, peace was
to be proclaimed on certain conditions, which, if accepted, the inhabitants were
to be tributaries and servants, but if not, when taken, all were to be put to
the sword, excepting women, children, and cattle (Deu 20:10-15). However, those
of the seven nations were to be utterly destroyed (Deu 20:16-18), and, during a
siege, no trees bearing fruit fit for food were to be cut down (Deu 20:19)"
(Gill).