30 but if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan." 31 And the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered, "As the Lord has said to your servants, so we will do. 32 We will pass over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan." 33 And Moses gave to them, to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Manas'seh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land and its cities with their territories, the cities of the land throughout the country. 34 And the sons of Gad built Dibon, At'aroth, Aro'er, 35 At'roth-sho'phan, Jazer, Jog'behah, 36 Beth-nim'rah and Beth-har'an, fortified cities, and folds for sheep. 37 And the sons of Reuben built Heshbon, Elea'leh, Kiriatha'im, 38 Nebo, and Ba'al-me'on (their names to be changed), and Sibmah; and they gave other names to the cities which they built. 39 And the sons of Machir the son of Manas'seh went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it. 40 And Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manas'seh, and he settled in it. 41 And Ja'ir the son of Manas'seh went and took their villages, and called them Hav'voth-ja'ir. 42 And Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own 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.