30 But if they do not go over with you armed, they will have to take their heritage with you in the land of Canaan. 31 Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben said, As the Lord has said to your servants, so will we do. 32 We will go over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, and you will give us our heritage on this side of Jordan. 33 So Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad and the children of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites and Og, king of Bashan, all the land with its towns and the country round them. 34 And the children of Gad were the builders of Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer; 35 And Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah; 36 And Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran: walled towns and shut-in places for sheep. 37 And the children of Reuben were the builders of Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim; 38 And Nebo and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Sibmah: and they gave other names to the towns they made. 39 And the children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, went to Gilead and took it, driving out the Amorites who were living there. 40 And Moses gave Gilead to Machir, the son of Manasseh; and he made it his living-place. 41 And Jair, the son of Manasseh, went and took the towns of Gilead, naming them Havvoth-Jair. 42 And Nobah went and took Kenath and its small towns, naming it Nobah, after himself.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 32:30-50
Commentary on Numbers 32:28-42
(Read Numbers 32:28-42)
Concerning the settlement of these tribes, observe, that they built the cities, that is, repaired them. They changed the names of them; probably they were idolatrous, therefore they should be forgotten. A spirit of selfishness, of seeking our own, not the things of Christ, when each one ought to assist others, is as dangerous as it is common. It is impossible to be sincere in the faith, sensible of the goodness of God, constrained by the love of Christ, sanctified by the power of the Holy Ghost, and yet be indifferent to the progress of religion, and the spiritual success of others, through love of ease, or fear of conflict. Let then your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.