Deuteronomy 20

After reading chapter 20:

*This chapter is instructions for when the Israelites go to war, not if, when.
-They are not to be afraid of larger, stronger, or better equipped armies, because Yahweh will be with them.
-The priest will give the army a pep talk before battles.
-The officers will allow exemption from service for the dedication of a new house, a vinyard that hasn't begun to produce yet, plans to marry, and fear of war. Then they will appoint commanders.
-When the army goes to attack a city, they will first offer it peace on condition of the forced labor (slavery) of the inhabitants. If they refuse, the Israelites are to lay siege to the city.  When they win, the men are to be slaughtered; the women, children, and valuables are to be taken as plunder. They are free to use the "plunder." God gives it to them. This only applies to cities further away.
-The above does not apply to the cities of the nations God gives the Israelites as an inheritance. Those  cities will be completely decimated and "anything that breathes" must not be left alive, otherwise they might be taught to do some of the despicable things those people do. How do innocent children and infants pose a threat? Not to mention animals.
-When the Israelites lay siege to a city, they are not to destroy the fruit bearing trees because they are useful to them for food, besides what did the poor trees do to deserve that? However, it's okay to cut down other types of trees to build siege works.