The concept of nations being destroyed is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's sovereignty, justice, and the fulfillment of His divine purposes. The destruction of nations often serves as a demonstration of God's judgment against sin, idolatry, and rebellion, as well as a means to protect and preserve His chosen people, Israel.

1. The Flood and the Pre-Flood World:
The first instance of divine destruction on a global scale is the Great Flood, which obliterated the pre-flood world due to humanity's pervasive wickedness. Genesis 6:5-7 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart. So the LORD said, 'I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.'"

2. Sodom and Gomorrah:
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are emblematic of divine judgment against extreme moral corruption. Genesis 19:24-25 recounts, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

3. The Canaanite Nations:
The conquest of Canaan under Joshua involved the destruction of several nations as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and as a judgment against the Canaanites' idolatry and immorality. Deuteronomy 9:4-5 explains, "When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, 'The LORD has brought me in to possess this land because of my righteousness.' For it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God is driving them out before you, and to fulfill the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

4. The Amalekites:
The Amalekites were a persistent enemy of Israel, and their destruction was commanded by God as a result of their unprovoked attacks on the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 15:2-3 , God instructs Saul, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they ambushed them on their way up from Egypt. Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.'"

5. Assyria and Babylon:
The Assyrian and Babylonian empires, though used by God as instruments of judgment against Israel and Judah, were themselves subject to divine judgment for their pride and cruelty. Nahum 1:14 prophesies the downfall of Assyria: "The LORD has issued a command concerning you, O Nineveh: 'There will be no descendants to carry on your name. I will eliminate the carved image and the cast idol from the house of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.'" Similarly, Babylon's fall is foretold in Isaiah 13:19 : "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah."

6. Eschatological Destruction:
The Bible also speaks of future judgments upon nations in the eschatological context, where God will judge the nations for their rebellion and opposition to His kingdom. Revelation 19:15 describes the return of Christ: "From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty."

Throughout Scripture, the destruction of nations serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and the serious consequences of sin. It underscores the biblical narrative of redemption, where God's justice and mercy are ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.