Yes--because the civilians were, by definition, noncombatants. But I'm not sure that, more than three millennia ago, the same distinctions were made. Back then the world was a mightily crueller place than it is now. God works with what he gotz as best He can without bulldozing free will. You want to ask Him why, be my guest. Yell and scream at Him all you like; He can take it and I'll bet money He'll actually be glad to hear honestly from you.