“When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace.”
Deuteronomy 20:10 (BSB)
Context Reading
8Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.” 9When the officers have finished addressing the army, they are to appoint commanders to lead it. 10When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. 11If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. 12But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city.