In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given specific instructions regarding the treatment of cities they encountered during their conquest of the Promised Land. These instructions varied significantly between distant cities and those within the land of Canaan, reflecting the distinct purposes and divine mandates associated with each.

Distant Cities:

When the Israelites approached cities outside the boundaries of Canaan, they were commanded to offer terms of peace before engaging in battle. Deuteronomy 20:10-12 states, "When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city."

This approach highlights a preference for peaceful resolution and integration over destruction. If the city accepted the terms, its inhabitants would become tributaries, serving the Israelites. However, if the city resisted, the Israelites were permitted to besiege it, and upon victory, the men were to be put to the sword, while women, children, livestock, and other spoils could be taken (Deuteronomy 20:13-14).

Canaanite Cities:

In stark contrast, the treatment of Canaanite cities was marked by a divine command for complete destruction. The Canaanites were seen as occupying the land promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their practices were considered abominable in the sight of God. Deuteronomy 20:16-18 instructs, "However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. You must completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God."

This command for total destruction, known as herem, was intended to prevent the Israelites from being led astray by the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites. The annihilation of these cities was seen as a form of divine judgment against the Canaanites' sins and a means to protect the spiritual purity of the Israelite community.

Theological Implications:

The differing treatments underscore the theological and covenantal dimensions of Israel's conquest. The offer of peace to distant cities reflects God's mercy and the possibility of inclusion within the covenant community, albeit in a subordinate role. In contrast, the command to destroy the Canaanite cities emphasizes the holiness of God and the necessity of eradicating sin and idolatry from the land designated as holy.

These instructions also serve as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and the lengths to which He will go to preserve the sanctity of His people and His promises. The conquest narratives, therefore, are not merely historical accounts but are imbued with spiritual lessons about obedience, judgment, and the fulfillment of divine promises.