Judges 11:21

And the Lord God of Israel deliuered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that countrey. Judges 11:21 (KJV)

The book of Judges records the period of Israel’s history after they had entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. It was a time characterised by cycles of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, and during this period Israel was ruled by a series of judges whom God raised up to lead His people.

“The LORD your God delivered” highlights that the victory over Sihon and his people was not due to Israel’s military might alone, but ultimately God brought about their deliverance. God often used the enemies of Israel as instruments of judgment when His people turned away from Him, yet He also displayed His power by delivering them when they cried out to Him.

“Sihon and all his people” refers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, a powerful nation occupying the land on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The Amorites were one of the nations God had commanded Israel to drive out of the land of Canaan.

“Into the hand of Israel” shows that God gave Israel victory over Sihon and his people by granting them success in battle. This emphasizes that Israel’s victories were not a result of their own strength or strategies but because of God’s intervention on their behalf.

“They smote them” indicates that the Israelites defeated Sihon’s forces in battle, implying a decisive and complete victory. This triumph enabled Israel to possess the territory of Sihon, fulfilling part of God’s promise to give them possession of the Promised Land.

“So Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites” and “thus Israel possessed the land of Sihon, the Amorite king, the inhabitants of that region” together convey that the defeat of Sihon resulted in Israel gaining possession of his territory. This marked a significant milestone in Israel’s conquest of Canaan, bringing them closer to occupying the land God had promised to their ancestors.