Ver. 37. Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not— That is, into no part of the country which was then in their possession. See ver. 19. The river Jabbok was the border of the children of Ammon. Dr. Beaumont observes, that though the Moabites and Ammonites were thus spared by Israel, yet we read that they ill rewarded them afterwards, when they waged war against them to wrest them out of their possession: Judges 11:4-5; Judges 11:40. 2 Chronicles 1:10-11 compare with Amos 1:13 and Jeremiah 49:1 for which the Lord plagued them; and for their unkindness already past, a law is enacted against them, chap. Deuteronomy 23:3; Deuteronomy 23:6.
REFLECTIONS.—Though they might not touch the Ammonite, they are not restrained from the Amorite. But even to them they must first make offers of peace. The gospel is thus preached to those who reject it through the hardness of their heart, yet are left inexcusable thereby. Sihon refuges a passage, and draws out his armies; but he meddled to his ruin. God bids them possess the land; his fear had gone before to dispirit the people, and they fell an easy prey. God's Israel may be well encouraged; what can resist those for whom God fights, and before whom he sends his terrors round about? Universal desolation was quickly spread on every side; the sword of Israel left none alive. The measure of their iniquity was full, and the consumption of the whole nation determined on. Their cattle, goods, cities, and country were the spoil of the conquerors; and now, from a howling wilderness, they began to possess a land of plenty. Note; It will be a blessed and glorious exchange, when the believer quits the wilderness of the world to enter into his everlasting mansions in the city of God.