Deuteronomy 2:30

“But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, etc.] Or through his country, as was desired: for the Lord had hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate; as he did Pharaoh’s, for whom he will he hardens; so that he would not listen to the proposals made to him, nor grant the requests asked of him, but with pride and haughtiness of spirit despised and disdained Israel: that he might deliver him into thine hand; that so an opportunity might offer of fighting with him, and taking his country from him; whereas, had he been peaceable and flexible, he had continued in the enjoyment of his land, and Israel would not have had that advantage against him; but God, who has the hearts of…”

“Hardened his spirit - That is, suffered it to be hardened. Deuteronomy 2:34”

“2:30 made Sihon stubborn and defiant (literally had hardened his spirit and strengthened his heart): Like Pharaoh (see Exod 7:13), Sihon was incorrigibly unrepentant and thus experienced God’s wrath. God knew that any further extension of grace to these rulers would be useless. Mystery surrounds the relationship between statements that people harden their own hearts (e.g., Exod 7:13, 22; 8:15) and statements that God hardens people’s hearts (e.g., Exod 4:21; 7:3; 9:12). What is clear is that God appeals for repentance and is ready to forgive, but when people continually ignore or reject his appeals, they can become incapable of hearing and obeying God (see “Hardened Hearts” Theme Note; Rom…”

“for the Lord: Exo 4:21, Exo 11:10; Num 21:23; Jos 11:19, Jos 11:20; Jdg 11:20; Rom 9:17-23 obstinate: Isa 48:4 Deuteronomy 2:31”