A common misinterpretation of this verse portrays Israel as imperialistic aggressors invading Amorite territory without cause, ignoring the preceding verses that detail Israel's courteous diplomatic overtures for safe passage—similar to their requests to Edom and Moab—which Sihon explicitly refused by mobilizing for war, thus framing the conflict as defensive rather than offensive and underscoring themes of rejected peace offers in biblical conquest narratives.
Judges 11:20
King James Version (1769)
20 But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
Judges 11:20 recounts how Sihon, king of the Amorites, rejected Israel's peaceful request to traverse his land, instead assembling his army at Jahaz to initiate battle against them, highlighting the Amorites' unprovoked aggression that led to Israel's defensive conquest and possession of the territory as a rightful response in the context of God's provision during their wilderness journey.