30 but if they do not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan. 31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As Jehovah has said to thy servants, so will we do. 32 We will pass over armed before Jehovah into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance on this side the Jordan shall be ours. 33 And Moses gave to them, to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og the king of Bashan, the land, according to its cities and territories, the cities of the land round about. 34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, 35 and Atroth-Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbebah, 36 and Beth-Nimrah, and Beth-haran, strong cities, and sheepfolds. 37 —And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elaleh, and Kirjathaim, 38 and Nebo, and Baal-meon (of which the names were changed), and Sibmah; and they gave other names to the cities that they built. 39 —And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and they dispossessed the Amorites that were therein. 40 And Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. 41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took their hamlets, and called them Havoth-Jair. 42 And Nobah went and took Kenath, and its dependent villages, and called it Nobah, after his name.
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.