Topical Encyclopedia The Ammonites were a people descended from Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot and his younger daughter, as recorded in Genesis 19:38. They inhabited the region east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Ammonites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as adversaries of the Israelites.Historical Context The Ammonites occupied a territory known as Ammon, with their capital at Rabbah (modern-day Amman). They were a Semitic people, closely related to the Israelites, Moabites, and Edomites. Despite their kinship with the Israelites, the Ammonites often found themselves in conflict with them, particularly during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy in Israel. King Hanun One of the notable kings of the Ammonites was Hanun, who reigned during the time of King David. The narrative of Hanun is primarily found in 2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19. After the death of Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, his son Hanun ascended to the throne. David, seeking to show kindness to Hanun as Nahash had shown kindness to him, sent a delegation to express his condolences. However, Hanun's advisors suspected David's intentions, suggesting that the envoys were sent as spies to scout the land for conquest. Acting on this suspicion, Hanun humiliated David's servants by shaving off half of each man's beard and cutting their garments at the hips, sending them back in disgrace (2 Samuel 10:4-5). Conflict with Israel This act of humiliation led to a significant conflict between the Ammonites and Israel. David, upon hearing of the insult, instructed his men to remain in Jericho until their beards had grown back. Meanwhile, the Ammonites, realizing they had become odious to David, hired Aramean mercenaries to bolster their forces (2 Samuel 10:6). David responded by sending Joab, the commander of his army, to confront the Ammonites and their allies. The ensuing battle saw the Israelites victorious, with Joab defeating the Arameans and forcing the Ammonites to retreat to their city. The conflict continued until David himself led a campaign against Rabbah, ultimately capturing the city and subjugating the Ammonites (2 Samuel 12:26-31). Religious Practices The Ammonites were known for their worship of the god Milcom (also known as Molech), which included practices that were abhorrent to the Israelites, such as child sacrifice. This idolatry was a significant point of contention between the two peoples, as the Israelites were commanded to worship Yahweh exclusively. Legacy The Ammonites, like many of Israel's neighbors, played a crucial role in the history of the Israelites, serving as both adversaries and a people with whom they had complex relationships. The narrative of Hanun and the subsequent conflict with David highlights the tensions and hostilities that often characterized the interactions between Israel and the surrounding nations. The Ammonites eventually faded from prominence, but their interactions with Israel are preserved in the biblical record as a testament to the turbulent history of the region. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 10:1And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. Nave's Topical Index 1 Chronicles 19:1 Library The Nations of the South-East The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources What is an abomination? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is significance of Mount Seir? | GotQuestions.org Who was Lot in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ammonites: Confederate With Moabites and Amalekites Against Israel Ammonites: Conspire Against the Jews Ammonites: Defeated by the Israelites Ammonites: Descendants of Ben-Ammi, One of the Sons of Lot Ammonites: Excluded from the Congregation of Israel Ammonites: Israelites Forbidden to Disturb Ammonites: Jews Intermarry With Ammonites: Prophecies Concerning Ammonites: Solomon Takes Wives From The Ammonites of Rabbah Reduced to Hard Bondage The Ammonites with the Philistines Oppressed Israel for Eighteen Years The Ammonites: Aided the Chaldeans Against Judah The Ammonites: Assisted Eglon Against Israel The Ammonites: Called The: Children of Ammon The Ammonites: Called The: Children of Lot The Ammonites: Character of Cruel and Covetous The Ammonites: Character of Fond of Ornaments The Ammonites: Character of Idolatrous The Ammonites: Character of Proud and Reproachful The Ammonites: Character of Superstitious The Ammonites: Character of Vindictive The Ammonites: Chief Cities of Ai The Ammonites: Chief Cities of Rabbah The Ammonites: Confederated Against Jehoshaphat The Ammonites: Country of: Belonged to the Zamzummims The Ammonites: Country of: Bordered on the Amorites The Ammonites: Country of: Half of, Given to the Gadites The Ammonites: Country of: Was Fertile The Ammonites: Country of: Well Fortified The Ammonites: Defeated by Jotham The Ammonites: Governed by Hereditary Kings The Ammonites: Hired the Syrians Against David The Ammonites: Ill-Treated David's Ambassadors The Ammonites: Jephthah Raised up to Deliver Israel From The Ammonites: Jewish Laws Respecting: No Covenant to Made With The Ammonites: Jewish Laws Respecting: Not to be Distressed The Ammonites: Jewish Laws Respecting: Perpetual Exclusion from the Congregation The Ammonites: Miraculous Defeat of The Ammonites: One of David's Mighty Men Was of The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Destructions for Hatred to Israel The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Punishment for Oppressive Cruelty The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Restoration The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Subjection to Babylon The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Subjection to the Jews The Ammonites: Proposed a Disgraceful Treaty to Jabesh-Gilead The Ammonites: Saul's Victories Over The Ammonites: Seized Upon the Possessions of Gad The Ammonites: Solomon Intermarried With, and Introduced Idols of Into The Ammonites: Spoil of, Consecrated to God The Ammonites: Submitted to Uzziah The Ammonites: The Jews Reprobated for Intermarrying With The Ammonites: The Royal Treasure of, Taken The Ammonites: Vexed the Jews After Captivity The Ammonites: Victories of Joab Over Related Terms |
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