Deuteronomy 20:2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 2. The priest shall approach, and speak unto the people— The Jews say there was a priest anointed for this purpose: his office was, to blow with the trumpets (Numbers 31:6.) when they were preparing for battle, and to exhort them, in the most persuasive manner, to a courageous and undaunted performance of their duty; to look upon their cause as God's own, and assure themselves of success under his divine aid and protection. See Selden de Success. in Pontif. lib. 2: cap. 1. The Romans, and the ancient Germans, had priests also with their armies for this purpose. See Valer. Max. lib. 1: cap. 2 sect. 2 and Tacit. de Mor. Germ. cap. 7: sect. 2. This was also the custom of many other pagan nations, as may be seen in Wagenseil's Addenda to his Sota, p. 1222.