And they left their images,.... Their idol gods, which they brought with them to protect and defend them, and give them success; perhaps in imitation of the Israelites, who formerly brought the ark of God into their camp against the Philistines, 1Sa 4:3; and it appears to have been the custom of other countries, in later times, to bring their gods with them to battle :and David and his men burnt them: that is, his men burnt them at his command, 1Ch 14:12; agreeably to the law of God, that so no profit might be made of them, De 7:5; the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, and others, render it, "and took them", or "carried them away" ; as they might do, and, after they had exposed them in triumph, then burnt them.
"Omnigenumque Deum", &c. Virgil. Aeneid. l. 8. Mavyw kai elabosan autouv, Sept. "tulit", V. L.