Deuteronomy 20:5
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
The officers were to speak to the people before battle and send home any man who had built a new house but had not dedicated it, letting him go and return to his house lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. This sending home of the house-builder was the usual pre-battle proclamation in Israel, but Gideon did not make it before the dismissal of the fearful because his force was already so small. The provision reveals tender care for homes and family ties and establishes that no one is to be forced to go into battle unwillingly. As a principle drawn from it, people whose private interests absorb them should withdraw from God's work rather than harm it by their example.