Numbers 31:2

Verse 2. Madianites. The five princes, (verse 8) had joined Sehon, in his attack upon the Hebrews. Joshua 13:21. They had united with the Moabites against them, and had been most active in perverting the people of God. They had even the wicked Balaam still among them, who was bent upon destruction; so that God saw the measure of their crimes was full, their provocations unsufferable, and he was pleased to let Moses be witness of their just punishment. This he would effect with a very small force, verse 5. Bible.—This war of religion was terminated about a month before the death of Moses.