King Sihon ruled from Heshbon after defeating the Moabites and taking over their land north of the Arnon River gorge.

I sent messengers from the desert of Kedemoth to King Sihon of Heshbon with the following offer of peace:

Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,

Your neck is as a tower of ivory. Your eyes like the fish pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim. Your nose is as the tower of Lebanon that looks toward Damascus.

Heshbon and Elealeh cry out. Their voice is heard all the way to Jahaz. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud and tremble with fear.

The fields of Heshbon and the vines of Sibmah wither. The rulers of the nations have trampled down the choicest vines, which once reached Jazer and spread toward the desert. Their shoots spread out and went as far as the sea.

The splendor of Moab is gone. The enemy has captured Heshbon and plot to destroy the nation of Moab. The town of Madmen will be silenced. Armies will march against it.

Their crying can be heard from Moabite towns. It can be heard from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz, from Zoar as far away as Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah (three year old heifer). Even the waters of Nimrim are dried up.

Cry loudly, Heshbon, because Ai is destroyed. Cry, people of Rabbah, put on your sackcloth, and mourn. Run back and forth between the walls. Milcom will be taken away into captivity with its priests and officials.