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. xx. 10), and such the
practice, Judg. xx. 12, 13. But the Midianites justifying what they had
done, and standing by those that had done it, the Israelites attacked
them with fire and sword, and all the pious fury with which their zeal
for God and their people inspired them. 2. The execution (the military
execution) they did in this descent. (1.) They slew all the males (v.
7), that is, all they met with as far as they went; they put them all
to the sword, and gave no quarter. But that they did not slay all the
males of the nation is certain, for we find the Midianites a powerful
and formidable enemy to Israel in the days of Gideon; and they were the
Midianites of this country, for they are reckoned with the children of
the east, Judg. vi. 3. (2.) They slew the kings of Midian the same that
are called elders of Midian (ch. xxii. 4), and the dukes of Sihon,
Josh. xiii. 21. Five of these princes are here named, one of whom is
Zur, probably the same Zur whose daughter Cosbi was, ch. xxv. 15. (3.)
They slew Balaam. Many conjectures there are as to what brought Balaam
among the Midianites at this time; it is probable that the Midianites,
having intelligence of the march of this army of Israelites against
them, hired Balaam to come and assist them with his enchantments, that
if he could not prevail to act offensively in their favour, by cursing
the armies of Israel, yet he might act defensively, by blessing the
country of Midian. Whatever was the occasion of his being there, God's
overruling providence brought him thither, and there his just vengeance
found him. Had he himself believed what he said of the happy state of
Israel, he would not have herded thus with the enemies of Israel; but
justly does he die the death of the wicked (though he pretended to
desire that of the righteous), and go down slain to the pit with the
uncircumcised, who rebelled thus against the convictions of his own
conscience. The Midianites' wiles were Balaam's projects, it was
therefore just that he should perish with them, Hos. iv. 5. Now was his
folly made manifest to all men, who foretold the fate of others, but
foresaw not his own. (4.) They took all the women and children
captives, v. 9. (5.) They burnt their cities and goodly castles (v.
10), not designing to inhabit them themselves (that country was out of
their line), but they thus prevented those who had made their escape
from sheltering themselves in their own country and settling there
again. Some understand it of their idol-temples; it was fit that they
should share in this vengeance. (6.) They plundered the country, and
carried off all the cattle and valuable goods, and so returned to the
camp of Israel laden with a very rich booty, v. 9, 11, 12. Thus (as
when they came out of Egypt) they were enriched with the spoils of
their enemies, and furnished with stock for the good land into which
God was bringing them.