Annotations.
WHen thou goest out] This is meant of all [unspec 1] lawfull warres, offensive or defensive, that is, begun by Israel, or by other nations against Is∣rael. And the Hebrewes hold, that Israel might never begin first to warre, but the warres comman∣ded of God; and those were the warres with the se∣ven nations in Canaan, (Deut. 2. 24. and 7. 1.) and the warre against Amalek. (Deut. 25. 17, 19.) and to helpe Israel out of the hand of the adversary which is come upon them, (as Iudg. 3. 12.—28. &c.) Warres permitted, were with other peoples that oppugned Israel, as Iudg. 11. 4. 12.—27. 2 Sam. 10. 2, 6, 7, &c. For warres commanded, it is not ne∣cessary to have leave of the high Councell (or Syne∣drion;) but the King may goe out of himselfe at any time, and compell the people to goe out: but in warre permitted, he leadeth not the people out, but at the mouth of the Senate of 71. Magistrates. Maimony in Misneh, tom. 4. treat. of Kings, chap. 5. sect. 1. 2. chariots] Hebr. horse and chariot, one put for many: so the Chaldee translateth it plurally; see the notes on Gen. 3. 2. be not afraid] or, thou shalt not feare for them, that is, not be dismaied or discouraged. See the notes on Exod. 20. 20. is with thee] or, will be with thee, to wit, as a Cap∣taine, 2 Chron. 13. 12. And with this the faithfull encouraged themselves in their battels; as Ezekias said, there be moe with us than with (our adversary) with him is an arme of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to helpe us, and to fight our battels, 2 Chro. 32. 7 8. See also Psal. 118. 6.
Vers. 2. the Priest] one that was appointed and [unspec 2] anointed for this purpose. Whether it be in warre commanded, or in warre permitted, they appoint a Priest to speake unto the people at the time of the bat∣tell, and they anoint him with the anointing oile [mentioned in Exod. 30. 25. &c.] and he is called the Anointed for the warre. When they are set in aray, and doe come neere to the battell, he that is anointed for the warre standeth on an high place, and all the companies before him, & he saith unto them in the ho∣ly tongue, Heare O Israel, you approach this day, &c. (Deut. 20. 3. 4.) And another Priest under him proclaimeth it to all the people with a loud voice. And afterward, the anointed Priest saith, What man is there that hath built a new house, &c. What man is there that hath planted a vineyard, &c. And what man is there that hath betrethed a wife, &c. Thus much the anointed Priest speaketh, and the Officer proclaimeth it to all the people with a loud voice. And afterward the Officer speaketh of himselfe, and saith, What man is there that is fearefull, &c. (Deu. 20. 8.) and another Officer proclaimeth it unto all the people. And after that all which are to returne, be returned from the armie, they order the armie, and appoint Captaines, (Deut. 20. 9.) And after every company they set officers couragious & strong, with halberts of iron in their hands; & who so would turne backe from the warre, they have power in their hand to cut off his leg, &c. Maimony treat. of Kings, c. 7. s. 1.—4. Thus Israel had the word of God, and his Mini∣sters to encourage them, that they might fight the battels of the Lord in faith; they had also the ho∣ly Trumpets blown by the Priests, that they might be remembred before the Lord, and saved from their enemies, Numb. 10. 8, 9. 2 Chron. 13. 12. And touching this Priest anointed for the war, the He∣brewes teach it is a peculiar dignity to his owne person only, not to his posterity, and in the warre, not in the Sanctuary. He that is anointed for the warre, his sonne is never ordained in his stead, but hee is as other Priests; if hee be anointed for the warre, he is anointed; and if he be not anointed, he is not anointed. And when the Priest anointed for the warre, ministreth in the Sanctuary, he ministreth in foure garments, as the other Priests. Maimony in Cle hamikdash, ch. 4. sect. 21.
Vers. 3. soft] tender, that is, faint and fearefull; [unspec 3] as the Greeke translateth it, dissolved (or faint,) the Chaldee, moved. This softnesse or faintnesse of heart, God threatneth as a plague, Levit. 26. 36. and Iob acknowledged it so, saying, God hath soft∣ned my heart, Iob 24. 16. and Rehoboam being soft-hearted, could not withstand his enemies, 2 Chron. 13. 7. Although therefore a soft heart in respect of God and his word, is commendable, 2 Kings 22. 19. yet in respect of our enemies, it is here forbidden; so in vers. 8. and Esay 7. 4. ha∣sten not away] through feare & troubled thoughts, and want of faith. David blameth this infirmity in himselfe, Psal. 31. 22. and 116. 11. terrified] or broken, discouraged, daunted with terrour: the Greeke translateth, decline not from their fac••••. See the Annotations on vers. 8.
Vers. 5. the Officers] in Greeke, the Scribes: of [unspec 5] them see the notes on Deut. 16. 18. and before on vers. 2. What man is there] that is, If any man, or whosoever hath: as in Psal. 34. 13. What man is he? is expounded by the Apostle, He that will, 1 Pet. 3. 10. built a new house] By the Hebrews this Law taketh place, whether he hath built it, or re∣ceiued it (by purchase) or it be given unto him for a gift, or it fall unto him by inheritance. But who so buildeth an house, or planteth a vineyard, out of the land (of Israel) he returneth not home for them. Maimony in treat. of Kings, ch. 7. sect. 5. 14. not dedicated] or, not initiated, that is, begun to take possession of, and to use it: which was wont to be done with solemnity, feasting, and singing praise to God, as the title of the 30. Psalme sheweth, concerning Davids house. lest he die] this man∣ner of speech sheweth danger, (as is noted on Ge∣nes. 3. 3.) and teacheth men to be resolute, and to goe with their lives in their hands, ready to ex∣pend them in Gods quarrell; as Iudg. 9. 17. Act. 20. 22, 23. 24. and 21. 13. For the sword devou∣reth one as well as another, 2 Sam. 11. 25. Act. 12. 2. and another man] Three reasons there seeme to be of this, and the rest that follow. Because the thoughts and cares of their houses, lands, wives, &c. might easily trouble men, and hinder them