slaughter of their captives. The case was peculiar, and not applicable to modern warfare ; nor was it intended as an example to us : but, as a lesso?i, it is of great importance ; since it shews us, that peculiar judgments await those who tempt others to sin : and that, though they may escape for a time, the most signal vengeance shall fall on them at last. It teaches us also (for this, as well as the foregoing, circumstance admits of a typical application) that we must destroy all our spiritual enemies without exception ; not those only that seem more immediately to menace our destruction, but those also, which, though apparently weak and insignificant, may warp us from our duty, or in time become strong and formidable.]
III. Their dedication of the spoils —
[Immense were the spoils taken on this occasion : and the distribution of them which God appointed, seemed to afford universal satisfaction. Half was given to the congregation at large, and half was reserved for the host that took them. From each was a tribute taken for God : from the half belonging to the congregation, a fiftieth part ; and from that belonging to the warriors, a five hundredth part. This shews us, that God must have a portion of all that his providence has allotted to us : whether we earn it ourselves, or receive it as the fruit of others' labour, God must be acknowledged in it, and be glorified with it. But, on mustering the troops, a most wonderful fact was ascertained. Notwithstanding only twelve thousand went to the war, and the enemy whom they attacked were so nume- rous, and their success had been so great, not one single man was missing from their ranks. This filled them with utter astonishment, and with the most lively gratitude : and all with one accord desired to make their acknowledgments to God, by dedicating to him a part, if not the whole, of the gold and jewels which they had taken, every man for himself. Accord- ingly, the whole of the spoil having been purified either by fire or water, and the soldiers themselves also having been purified from the pollution which the slaughter of so many persons, and the touching of the dead, had occasioned, the gold and jewels were presented unto God for the service of his sanctuary, " as an atonement for their souls" The word " atonement" which is here used, is not to be understood as importing an expiatory sacrifice, but only (as it is afterwards explained) " a memorial." These spoils were presented, precisely as the half shekel, or " atonement-money," was appointed to be, in commemoration of a most wonderful deliverance b. The Israelites presented them, first, as an acknowledgment of their desert ; (for they deserved death, no less than the people whom they had de- stroyed :) next, as a memorial of their deliverance ; (which was
b Exod. xxx. 12—16.