The rise of city states and empires […] meant that each needed to know not only the disposition and morale of their enemy, but also the loyalty and general sentiment of their own population.”[1] In history, surveillance is often referred to as spying or espionage.
David, while walking on the roof of his palace, noticed Bathsheba bathing and as he continued to watch her his desire grew, even though she was already the wife of Uriah.
In this example, surveillance was used for David's own personal gains and pleasure rather than for a greater good.
By collecting information regarding the people and the land, the spies would have been able to determine the strengths and weaknesses of their enemies.
According to Terry Crowdy in his book The Enemy Within: A History of Espionage: Crowdy makes an important point by recognizing the fact that the precedent for altering general surveillance practices occurred very early on in History.