Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 20:9

9 And it shall be when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people .

Or rather, as the Hebrew hath it, they shall set or place the captains of the armies in the head or front of the people under their charge, that they may conduct and manage them, and by their example incourage their souldiers. But it is not likely they had their captains to make or chuse when they were just going to battel.

Marginal references: Heb. to be i[illegible: 1+ letters] the head of the people.