20:5
We then get some practical instructions, starting with rules on who was exempt from fighting. The first exemption is for those who had built a house but had not begun to live in it. The reason for this is that if that soldier was killed someone else might live in the house. There are probably two reasons for this rule. One is the concern the soldier might have, making him less willing to be fully committed to the fight. It might also have something to do with property rights.
20:6,7
Two similar exemptions are listed. Anyone who had recently planted a vineyard, and anyone who was “pledged to a woman and not married her”. This was referring to someone who was engaged, though engagement here was much stronger than our engagement. There is a desire here on God’s part to ensure that people could enjoy life. There is also a recognition of human nature.
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