Numbers 31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31

This chapter belongs to ?the book of the wars of the Lord,? in which it is probable it was inserted. It is the history of a holy war, a war with Midian. Here is, I. A divine command for the war, Num. 31:1; 2. II. The undertaking of the war, Num. 31:3-6. III. The glorious success of it, Num. 31:7-12. IV. Their triumphant return from the war. 1. The respect Moses paid to the soldiers, Num. 31:13. 2. The rebuke he gave them for sparing the women, Num. 31:14-18. 3. The directions he gave them for... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:1-6

Here, I. The Lord of hosts gives orders to Moses to make war upon the Midianites, and his commission no doubt justified this war, though it will not serve to justify the like without such commission. The Midianites were the posterity of Abraham by Keturah, Gen. 25:2. Some of them settled south of Canaan, among whom Jethro lived, and they retained the worship of the true God; but these were settled east of Canaan, and had fallen into idolatry, neighbours to, and in confederacy with, the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:7-12

Here is, 1. The descent which this little army of Israelites made, under the divine commission, conduct, and command, upon the country of Midian. They warred against the Midianites. It is very probable that they first published their manifesto, showing the reasons of the war, and requiring them to give up the ringleaders of the mischief to justice; for such afterwards was the law (Deut. 20:10), and such the practice, Jdg. 20:12; 13. But the Midianites justifying what they had done, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:13-24

We have here the triumphant return of the army of Israel from the war with Midian, and here, I. They were met with great respect, Num. 31:13. Moses himself, notwithstanding his age and gravity, walked out of the camp to congratulate them on their victory, and to grace the solemnity of their triumphs. Public successes should be publicly acknowledged, to the glory of God, and the encouragement of those that have jeoparded their lives in their country's cause. II. They were severely reproved for... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:25-47

We have here the distribution of the spoil which was taken in this expedition against Midian. God himself directed how it should be distributed, and Moses and Eleazar did according to the directions, and thus unhappy contests among themselves were prevented and the victory was made to turn to the common benefit. It was fit that he who gave them the prey should order the disposal of it. All we have is from God, and therefore must be subject to his will. I. The prey is ordered to be divided into... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:48-54

Here is a great example of piety and devotion in the officers of the army, the colonels, that are called captains of thousands, and the inferior officers that were captains of hundreds; they came to Moses as their general and commander-in-chief, and, though he was now going off the stage they very humbly and respectfully addressed themselves to him, calling themselves his servants; the honours they had 1305 won did not puff them up, so as to make them forget their duty to him. Observe in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 31 This chapter contains an order to make war upon Midian, which was accordingly done, Numbers 31:1 , but Moses was wroth, because they saved the women alive, who, through the counsel of Balaam, had been the cause of sin, and of the plague for it in Israel, and therefore orders them, and the male children, to be slain, Numbers 31:13 , and then directs to the purification of the soldiers, their captives and spoil, Numbers 31:19 , and by the command of God an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... After the plague upon Israel for their fornication and idolatry, into which they were drawn by the daughters of Moab and Midian, and after the sum of the people was taken in the plains of Moab, and various laws given or repeated, and a little before the death of Moses: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:2

Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites ,.... For the injury they had done them, by sending their daughters among them, who enticed them to commit uncleanness with them, and then drew them into the worship of their idols, which brought the wrath of God upon them, and for which 24,000 persons were slain. Now, though the Moabites had a concern in this affair as well as the Midianites, yet they were spared; which some think was for the sake of Lot, from whom they descended; but why not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:3

And Moses spake unto the people, saying ,.... In obedience to the divine command; this must be supposed to be spoken to the heads or princes of the tribes: arm some of yourselves unto the war : not the whole body of the militia, 600,000 men and upwards, only some of them, and these choice and select men; and, according to the Jewish writers, good men, who, detesting the sins of lewdness and idolatry, would more strictly and severely avenge themselves on the Midianites for drawing their... read more

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