Treasury of Scripture
betrothed a wife It was customary among the jews to contract matrimony, espouse, or betroth, and for a considerable time to leave the parties in the houses of the respective parents; and when the bridegroom had made proper preparations, then the bride was brought home to his house, and the marriage consummated. The provisions in this verse refer to a case of this kind; though the Jews extend it to him who had newly consummated his marriage, and even to him who had married his brother's wife. It was deemed a peculiar hardship for a person to be obliged to go to battle, who had left a house unfinished, newly purchased land half tilled, or a wife with whom he had just contracted marriage.
Deuteronomy 22:23-25 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed to an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her...
Deuteronomy 24:5 When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business...
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together...
lest he die
Deuteronomy 28:30 You shall betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: you shall build an house, and you shall not dwell therein...
Luke 14:18-20 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground...
2 Timothy 2:4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.