7 They attacked Midian, just as God had commanded Moses, and killed every last man. 8 Among the fallen were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba - the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. 9 The People of Israel took the Midianite women and children captive and took all their animals and herds and goods as plunder. 10 They burned to the ground all the towns in which Midianites lived and also their tent camps. 11 They looted and plundered everything and everyone - stuff and people and animals. 12 They took it all - captives and booty and plunder - back to Moses and Eleazar the priest and the company of Israel where they were camped on the Plains of Moab, at Jordan-Jericho.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 31:7-12
Commentary on Numbers 31:7-12
(Read Numbers 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, Hosea 4:5. They took the women and children captives. They burnt their cities and castles, and returned to the camp.