The Ammonites, descendants of Lot through his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38), were a perennial threat to the Israelites throughout the Old Testament narrative. Their territory was located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Ammonites are frequently mentioned in the context of conflict and hostility towards Israel, often serving as instruments of divine judgment or as adversaries in Israel's quest for security and sovereignty.

Historical Context and Early Hostility

The Ammonites first appear in the biblical narrative during the period of the Judges. In Judges 10:6-9, the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD, serving the Baals and Ashtoreths, which led to their oppression by the Philistines and the Ammonites. The Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim, causing great distress. This period of oppression lasted for eighteen years until the Israelites cried out to the LORD for deliverance.

Jephthah and the Ammonite Conflict

One of the most notable conflicts with the Ammonites occurred during the judgeship of Jephthah. The Ammonites waged war against Israel, claiming that the Israelites had taken their land when they came up from Egypt. Jephthah, chosen as leader by the elders of Gilead, attempted to negotiate with the king of the Ammonites, recounting Israel's history and asserting their right to the land (Judges 11:12-27). When diplomacy failed, Jephthah led Israel to victory over the Ammonites, as recorded in Judges 11:32-33: "So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the LORD delivered them into his hand."

The Monarchy and Ammonite Hostility

During the reign of King Saul, the Ammonites, under King Nahash, besieged Jabesh-gilead. The men of Jabesh sought a treaty, but Nahash demanded the gouging out of their right eyes as a disgrace upon Israel (1 Samuel 11:1-2). Saul, filled with the Spirit of God, mustered the Israelites and delivered Jabesh-gilead, defeating the Ammonites and securing his kingship (1 Samuel 11:11).

King David also faced the Ammonite threat. Initially, David sought to show kindness to Hanun, the new king of Ammon, following the death of his father Nahash. However, Hanun humiliated David's envoys, leading to war (2 Samuel 10:1-5). David's forces, led by Joab, defeated the Ammonites and their Aramean allies, further consolidating Israel's power (2 Samuel 10:6-19).

Prophetic Denunciations and Later History

The prophets frequently denounced the Ammonites for their hostility and idolatry. Amos 1:13-15 condemns the Ammonites for their brutal attacks on Gilead, while Jeremiah 49:1-6 and Ezekiel 25:1-7 prophesy judgment against them for their arrogance and rejoicing over Israel's misfortunes.

In the post-exilic period, the Ammonites continued to pose a threat. Nehemiah faced opposition from Tobiah the Ammonite as he sought to rebuild Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 2:10, 4:3). Despite this, the Israelites persevered, demonstrating their resilience and faith in God's promises.

Cultural and Religious Practices

The Ammonites worshiped the god Milcom (also known as Molech), and their religious practices included child sacrifice, which was strictly condemned by the Israelites (Leviticus 18:21, 1 Kings 11:5). This idolatry and moral depravity were significant factors in the divine judgments pronounced against them.

The Ammonite threat, both militarily and spiritually, served as a constant reminder to Israel of the need for faithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh. Their interactions with Israel highlight the broader biblical themes of divine justice, mercy, and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the nations.