16. From the Arnon, the Israelites went to the well near the town of Beer, where the Lord had said to Moses, “Call the people together, and I will give them water to drink.”
17. That's also the same well the Israelites sang about in this song:Let's celebrate!The well has given us water.
18. With their royal sceptres,our leaders pointed outwhere to dig the well.The Israelites left the desert and camped near the town of Mattanah,
19. then at Nahaliel, and then at Bamoth.
20. Finally, they reached Moabite territory, where they camped near Mount Pisgah in a valley overlooking the desert north of the Dead Sea.
21. The Israelites sent this message to King Sihon of the Amorites:
22. Please let us pass through your territory. We promise to stay away from your fields and vineyards, and we won't drink any water from your wells. As long as we're in your land, we won't get off the main road.
23. But Sihon refused to let Israel travel through his land. Instead, he called together his entire army and marched into the desert to attack Israel near the town of Jahaz.
24. Israel defeated them and took over the Amorite territory from the gorge of the River Arnon in the south to the gorge of the River Jabbok in the north. Beyond the Jabbok was the territory of the Ammonites, who were much stronger than Israel.
25. The Israelites settled in the Amorite towns, including the capital city of Heshbon with its surrounding villages.
26. King Sihon had ruled from Heshbon, after defeating the Moabites and taking over their land north of the Arnon gorge.
27. That's why the Amorites had written this poem about Heshbon:Come and rebuild Heshbon,King Sihon's capital city!