Num. 31 God commanded Moses, before he die, to avenge Israel of the Midianites, Num. 31:1–2. he chooses twelve thousand men, and Phineas: the kings of Midian and Balaam slain, Num. 31:3–8. Their women and cattle taken; and cities burnt: they bring the spoil to Moses and Eleazar, Num. 31:9–12.

Of the Midianites, for their malicious designs and practices against Israel, both by hiring Balaam to curse them, and by sending their women to enslave them.

For the affront and injury which they offered to God, partly by their own idolatry and lewdness, and partly by seducing God’s people into rebellion against him. God’s great care was to avenge the Israelites, Num. 31:2, and Moses’s chief desire was to avenge God rather than himself or the people.

A thousand of every tribe, to prevent emulations or divisions. God would send no more, though it is apparent that the Midianites were numerous and strong, because he would try and exercise their trust in him, and because he would hereby give them an earnest of their Canaanitish conquests.

Phinehas had the charge not of the army, as general, (an office never committed to any priest in all the Old Testament,) but of the holy instruments, & c. as is here expressed, and was also sent to encourage, and quicken, and confirm them in their good enterprise.

Namely, all whom they took in that war, or all who lived in those parts; for it is probable (and was then very usual) some colonies of them were sent forth to remoter places, which therefore had no hand either in their former sin, or ill this present ruin, of whom we read after this, Judg. 6:0.

The kings, called dukes or princes of Sihon, Josh. 13:21, because they were subject to him while he lived, but upon his death they resumed their kingly power. Zur, the father of Cozbi, Num. 25:15. Balaam also. Object. He was gone and returned to his own place, Num.

Partly, to blot out the name and memory of so lewd and vile a people; partly, lest any of the Israelites should be tempted to settle there, and so be discouraged in their progress to Canaan; and partly, lest they should be possessed by other people who might prove as bad neighbours to them as these…

Partly to put respect upon them, and congratulate with them for their happy success; and partly to prevent the pollution of the camp by the untimely entrance of the warriors into it.

Because they had spared those who were most criminal, and who by the law of God and of nature were worthy of death.

Among the little ones, which they were forbidden to do to other people, Deut. 20:14, except the Canaanites, to whom this people had equalled themselves by their horrid crimes; and therefore it is not strange, nor unjust, that God, the supreme Lord of all men’s lives, who as he gives them, so may…

Not known a man, to wit, carnally: See Poole “Gen. 4:1, Gen. 19:8, Lev. 18:22. Keep alive for yourselves; either to sell them as slaves to others, or to use them as servants to yourselves, or to marry them, when you have prepared and instructed them.

Seven days; according to the law, Lev. 15:13, Num. 19:11–12. Purify with the water of sprinkling, Num. 19:9.

All your raiment, to wit, your spoil and prey. See Lev. 8:15, Lev. 14:49. All these things had contracted some ceremonial uncleanness, either from the dead bodies which wore them, or the tents or houses where they were, in which such dead bodies lay, or from the touch of the Israelitish soldiers,…

The congregation hath some share, because the warriors went in the name of all, and because all having been injured by the Midianites, all were to have some share in the reparations; but the warriors, who were but 12, 000, have a far greater share than others of their brethren, because they…

One soul, i.e. one person, as it follows here and Num. 31:30.

One portion of fifty; whereas the former part was one of five hundred: the reason of the difference is, partly because this was taken out of the people’s portion, whose hazards being less than the others, their gains also in all reason were to be less; partly because this was to be distributed into…

The rest of the prey; all which was now left of the prey. It is so expressed because they took more, but some of the persons were since killed, Num. 31:17, and some of the cattle was spent for the necessary provisions of the army.

Either now upon his consulting of God in the case, or formerly in general rules and laws for such occasions, such as Num. 18:8.

For their error, noted, Num. 31:14–16, and withal for a memorial, as it is said Num. 31:54, or by way of gratitude for such a stupendous assistance and deliverance, as appears from the word therefore in the beginning of this verse, and from Num. 31:49.