31:7-12 The Israelites slew the Kings of Midian. They slew Balaam. God's overruling providence brought him thither, and their just vengeance found him. Had he himself rightly believed what he had said of the happy state of Israel, he would not have thus herded with the enemies of Israel. The Midianites' wicked wiles were Balaam's projects: it was just that he should perish with them, Ho 4:5. They took the women and children captives. They burnt their cities and castles, and returned to the camp.
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives,.... The word "all" is not in the original text, nor should it be supplied; for if all had been taken, and carried captive, and put to death, as those were afterwards, how could there have been such an increase of the Midianites as there was in some time after this? see Judges 6:1 but the meaning is, that as many as fell into their hands they took and carried captive:
and their little ones; both male and female:
and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks; their oxen and their sheep, and also their asses, as appears by the following account:
and all their goods: in their houses, their wealth and substance, gold, silver, &c.
and their little ones; both male and female:
and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks; their oxen and their sheep, and also their asses, as appears by the following account:
and all their goods: in their houses, their wealth and substance, gold, silver, &c.