Judges 11:20

“But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through, his coast, etc.] For fear they should seize upon his dominions, and retain them; and the more fearful he might be, as he knew that his people were one of the seven nations of the Canaanites, whose land they were going to possess, and whom they were to destroy: but Sihon gathered all his people together; in some certain place, and armed them, and went out in an hostile manner against Israel in the wilderness, to attack them; whereby it appears that he was the aggressor, and therefore Israel was not to be blamed, as not for fending themselves, so neither for seizing and possessing his country when they had conquered him: and pitched in Jahaz, and…”

“Consult the marginal references. If the ark with the copy of the Law Deuteronomy 31:26 was at Mizpeh, it would account for Jephthah’s accurate knowledge of it; and this exact agreement of his message with Numbers and Deuteronomy would give additional force to the expression, “he uttered all his words before the Lord” Judges 11:11. Judges 11:17 No mention is made of this embassy to Moab in the Pentateuch. Judges 11:19 Into my place - This expression implies that the trans-Jordanic possessions of Israel were not included in the land of Canaan properly speaking. Judges 11:21 The title “God of Israel” has a special emphasis here, and in Judges 11:23. in a narrative of transactions relating to…”

“Sihon fought - So Sihon was the aggressor, and the Israelites were forced to fight in their own defence. Judges 11:22”

“Num 21:23; Deu 2:32, Lord God, Neh 9:22; Psa 135:10-12, Psa 136:17-21, they smote, Num 21:24, Num 21:25; Deu 2:33, Deu 2:34, so Israel, Josh. 13:15-32 Judges 11:22”