Ammonite

The Ammonites were the descendants of Ben-ammi (Ammon), son of Lot, who occupied the territory east of the Jordan between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers with their capital at Rabbah (modern Amman). As kinsmen of Israel through Lot, they were excluded from the Israelite assembly to the tenth generation (Deut. 23:3) but were not to be dispossessed of their land, which God had given to them as Lot's descendants (Deut. 2:19).

During the judges period, Ammonites joined Moabite coalitions against Israel (Judg. 3:13) and later oppressed the Transjordanian tribes, prompting Jephthah's campaign (Judg. 10–11). Nahash the Ammonite's siege of Jabesh-gilead galvanized support for Saul's kingship (1 Sam. 11). David fought successful wars against Ammon (2 Sam. 10–12). Solomon's Ammonite wives led him to worship Milcom (1 Kgs. 11:5). The prophets pronounced repeated judgment on Ammon for their hostility toward Israel (Jer. 49:1–6; Ezek. 25:1–7; Amos 1:13–15).