Israel Takes Vengeance on Midian

311 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 2 " Take full vengeance for the sons of Israel on the Midianites ; afterward you will be gathered to your people ." 3 Moses spoke to the people , saying , "Arm men from among you for the war , that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord'S vengeance on Midian . 4 "A thousand from each tribe of all the tribes of Israel you shall send to the war ." 5 So there were furnished from the thousands of Israel , a thousand from each tribe , twelve e thousand armed for war . 6 Moses sent them, a thousand from each tribe , to the war , and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest , to the war with them, and the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 31:1-6

Commentary on Numbers 31:1-6

(Read Numbers 31:1-6)

All who, without commission from God, dare to execute private revenge, and who, from ambition, covetousness, or resentment, wage war and desolate kingdoms, must one day answer for it. But if God, instead of sending an earthquake, a pestilence, or a famine, be pleased to authorize and command any people to avenge his cause, such a commission surely is just and right. The Israelites could show such a commission, though no persons now can do so. Their wars were begun and carried on expressly by Divine direction, and they were enabled to conquer by miracles. Unless it can be proved that the wicked Canaanites did not deserve their doom, objectors only prove their dislike to God, and their love to his enemies. Man makes light of the evil of sin, but God abhors it. This explains the terrible executions of the nations which had filled the measure of their sins.