The city of Heshbon was situated on the tableland of Moab, about twenty kilometres east of the point where the Jordan River enters the Dead Sea. It was a chief city of Moab, till lost to the Amorites. The Amorites in turn lost it to the Israelites just before their attack on Canaan (Numbers 21:25-26; Deuteronomy 3:2). When the conquered territories were divided among Israel’s tribes, Heshbon fell within the tribal area of Reuben (Numbers 32:2-5; Numbers 32:37; Joshua 13:15-21; Judges 11:26). (For map and other details see MOAB.)
Several centuries later, during the time of Israel’s divided kingdom, Moab regained possession of Heshbon. But the city was doomed to destruction in the divine judgment that was to fall upon Moab (Isaiah 15:1; Isaiah 15:4; Isaiah 16:8; Jeremiah 48:1-2; Jeremiah 48:45; Jeremiah 49:3).