Ammon

Ammon was an ancient nation located east of the Jordan River, in the region that is now part of modern-day Jordan. The Ammonites were descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot by his younger daughter, as recorded in Genesis 19:38: "The younger daughter also gave birth to a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today." The capital city of Ammon was Rabbah, also known as Rabbath-Ammon, which corresponds to the modern city of Amman.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Ammonites are frequently mentioned as adversaries of Israel. They were known for their idolatrous practices, including the worship of the god Milcom (also known as Molech), which involved child sacrifice. In 1 Kings 11:7, it is noted that "On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites."

The Ammonites often engaged in conflict with Israel. During the period of the Judges, they oppressed the Israelites until Jephthah delivered Israel from their hand (Judges 11). Later, King Saul fought against them, achieving a significant victory (1 Samuel 11). King David also subdued the Ammonites, as recorded in 2 Samuel 12:26-31, where Joab captured Rabbah, and David took the Ammonite crown.

Prophetic literature in the Old Testament contains several oracles against Ammon, highlighting their eventual downfall due to their hostility towards Israel. Jeremiah 49:1-6 and Ezekiel 25:1-7 both pronounce judgment on Ammon, predicting desolation and conquest by foreign powers.

Moab

Moab was another ancient nation situated east of the Dead Sea, in what is now part of Jordan. The Moabites were descendants of Moab, the son of Lot by his elder daughter, as described in Genesis 19:37: "The older daughter gave birth to a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today."

The Moabites, like the Ammonites, were often in conflict with Israel. They worshiped the god Chemosh, and their idolatrous practices were condemned by the prophets. In Numbers 25, the Israelites were led into sin through the Moabite women, which resulted in a plague among the Israelites.

During the Exodus, the Moabites, under King Balak, sought to curse Israel by hiring the prophet Balaam. However, God intervened, and Balaam ended up blessing Israel instead (Numbers 22-24). Despite this, the Moabites continued to be a thorn in Israel's side.

The Book of Ruth provides a more personal narrative involving Moab, as Ruth, a Moabite woman, becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. This account highlights themes of loyalty, redemption, and God's providence.

Moab's relationship with Israel was complex, involving both conflict and intermarriage. King David, whose great-grandmother was Ruth, had interactions with Moab, and at times sought refuge there (1 Samuel 22:3-4). However, he also fought against them, as recorded in 2 Samuel 8:2.

Prophecies against Moab are found in Isaiah 15-16, Jeremiah 48, and Ezekiel 25:8-11, foretelling their destruction due to pride and enmity against Israel. These prophecies emphasize God's sovereignty and justice over the nations.

Both Ammon and Moab serve as reminders of the consequences of enmity against God's people and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Their histories are intertwined with Israel's, reflecting the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan throughout the Old Testament.