John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:10
And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt , &c.;) So far as they went into the country, which, perhaps, might not be the whole land of Midian: and all their goodly castles with fire ; which were either the palaces of their princes and nobles, or such like great personages; or they were fortified places, for the security of their cities and country: the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan interpret them of their houses of worship, their temples, and their altars. read more
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