Ammon was to the east/southeast of Israel across the Jordan River. Their territory was bordered by Gilead to the west, Bashan to the north, Moab to the south, and the great desert to the east. As a result they were often at war and restless for conquest (see Judges 10:7–9; Judges 11:4–5; 1 Samuel 11:1–11; Judges 14:7–8).1
13 Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.