The answer is: Sihon

Deut 2:26,30

Sihon, the king of Heshbon, plays a significant role in the narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. When the Israelites requested permission to pass through his territory peacefully, Sihon stubbornly refused and instead chose to oppose them. The story highlights themes of pride and conflict, serving as a humbling reminder that resistance often leads to greater challenges—a tempting lesson for individuals and nations alike.

Interestingly, Heshbon's significance stretches back to Genesis, where it is referenced as an important place belonging to the Amorites, giving viewers an appreciation for its deep historical roots. After Israel triumphed over Sihon, they not only secured a route toward Canaan but also claimed the fertile land of Heshbon, forever changing the power dynamics in the region. It was later a significant stronghold and administrative center for Israelite governance.

Sihon’s name resonates through history, sometimes interpreted as “everlasting”—a rather ironic title for someone whose kingdom met a swift demise. Moreover, the conquering of Sihon and thus Heshbon reflects a bigger biblical theme: civilizational turnover—a sign that nothing, not even might nor stubbornness, lasts forever.

And as an aside, the act of merging lands won through conflict contaminants then expands the narrative surrounding territoriality and belonging in the biblical world, demonstrating a tussle not merely physical but deeply rooted in spiritual, moral, and national identity matters.