The Midianites and Amalekites, who dwelt on the eastern borders of the land and in the deserts beyond, were still the bitter and unrelenting enemies of Israel. These nations had been well-nigh destroyed by the Israelites in the days of Moses, but they had since increased greatly, and had now became a numerous and powerful people. They had thirsted for revenge, and now the opportunity had come.

Midianitterne og amalekitterne, som boede på landets østgrænser og i ørkenerne der ude, var stadig bitre og ubøjelige fjender af Israel. Disse nationer var nær ved at blive udslettet af Israelitterne i Moses dage, men siden hen havde de vokset sig store, og var nu blevet et talrigt og mægtigt folk. De havde tørstet efter hævn, og nu var anledningen der.