Deuteronomy 20:1-8
Laws Concerning Warfare
1“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see ahorses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is bwith you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 2And when you draw near to the battle, cthe priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4for the Lord your God is he who goes with you dto fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ 5Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. 6And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not eenjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit. 7 fAnd is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.’ 8And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, g‘Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.’2 Kings 7:15
15So they went after them as far as the Jordan, and behold, all the way was littered with garments and equipment that the Syrians had thrown away in their haste. And the messengers returned and told the king.
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