Numbers 31:8

Kings of Midian] from Joshua 13:21 we learn that these were princes or chiefs, and that they were tributary to Sihon, king of the Amorites. Balaam by remaining among the Midianites shared their fate. But see on Numbers 25:1.

13-18. The male children are put to death in order that the race of idolaters may be extirpated. The older women are also slain as having been the prime cause of the apostasy, and likely to lead the people astray at a future time. The women-children, or young females, are spared, and are taken as slaves or wives, being probably adopted into the Hebrew nation as proselytes: cp. Deuteronomy 21:10. For the reason of such wholesale slaughter see Numbers 33:55; Deuteronomy 20:17; Joshua 23:13 and on Numbers 25:16.

19-24. On this purification by means of the 'water of separation' see Numbers 19:11.

25-47. The spoil is divided equally between the warriors and those who remained in the camp. Part of each portion is dedicated to the sanctuary. The warriors dedicate the fivehundredth part of their spoil which is given to the priests (Numbers 31:29). The non-combatants dedicate the fiftieth part of their share, which, being a larger proportion, is given to the Levites who were more numerous than the priests (Numbers 31:30).