20:1 you shall not be afraid. Morale in the army, particularly the importance of single-minded reliance upon God, is the subject of vv. 1–9. The exemptions cited illustrate the principle that anyone whose heart was not in the fight should not be there (vv. 5–8). The power of God, rather than numerical superiority, would guarantee Israel’s victory (v. 4; cf. 32:30 note; Judg. 7:1–8). One result of such an attitude would be high morale, which would itself contribute to victory.