That’s why the poets say,“ Come to Heshbon. Let it be built again. Let Sihon’s city be made as good as new.“ Fire went out from Heshbon. A blaze went out from the city of Sihon. It burned up Ar in Moab. It burned up the citizens who lived on Arnon’s hills.Moab, how terrible it is for you! People of Chemosh, you are destroyed! Chemosh has deserted his sons and daughters. His sons have run away from the battle. His daughters have become prisoners. He has handed all of them over to Sihon, the king of the Amorites.“ But we have taken them over. Heshbon’s rule has been destroyed all the way to Dibon. We have destroyed them as far as Nophah. Nophah goes all the way to Medeba.”
The Jews in every city could now gather together and fight for their lives. The king’s order gave them that right. But suppose soldiers from any nation or territory attacked them, their women or children. Then the Jews could destroy, kill and wipe out those soldiers. They could also take the goods that belonged to their enemies.