God had sent judgments upon Israel for yielding to the enticements of the Midianites; but the tempters were not to escape the wrath of divine justice. The Amalekites, who had attacked Israel at Rephidim, falling upon those who were faint and weary behind the host, were not punished till long after; but the Midianites who seduced them into sin were speedily made to feel God's judgments, as being the more dangerous enemies. "Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites" (Numbers 31:2), was the command of God to Moses; "afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people." This mandate was immediately obeyed. One thousand men were chosen from each of the tribes and sent out under the leadership of Phinehas. "And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded Moses. . . . And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; . . . five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword." Verses 7, 8. The women also, who had been made captives by the attacking army, were put to death at the command of Moses, as the most guilty and most dangerous of the foes of Israel.

Gud havde straffet israelitterne, fordi de havde ladet sig forføre af midjanitterne, men de mennesker, der havde fristet dem, skulle også få den guddommelige retfærdigheds vrede at føle. Amalekitterne, som havde angrebet Israel ved Refidim og kastet sig over dem, der gik bagest på grund af udmattelse og træthed, blev først straffet længe efter. Midjanitterne, derimod, som havde forledt Israel til at synde, fik hurtigt den guddommelige straf at føle, fordi de var langt farligere fjender. "Skaf israelitterne hævn over midjanitterne." 4. Mos. 31, 2. Sådan lød Guds befaling til Moses. Den blev omgående efterkommet. Der blev valgt tusind mand fra hver stamme, og disse blev sendt af sted under Pinehas ledelse. "De drog så ud i kamp mod midjanitterne, som Herren havde pålagt Moses; ..... og foruden de andre, der blev slået ihjel, dræbte de også Midjans konger, ..... Midjans fem konger; også Bileam, Beors søn, dræbte de med sværdet." 7-8. v. På Moses' befaling dræbte de også de kvinder, som hæren havde taget til fange. Kvinderne havde den største skyld og var de farligste af Israels fjender.