Numbers 31 recounts the events following the defeat of the Midianites by the Israelites. God commanded Moses to take vengeance upon the Midianites for their deceit and idolatry. Moses selected 1,000 men from each tribe, a total of 12,000, to carry out this task.
The Israelites fought against the Midianites and achieved a resounding victory, killing all the men, including their kings, and Balaam, the prophet who had tried to curse Israel. They also captured the Midianite women, children, and livestock, plundering their cities and tents. Upon their return to the camp, Moses and Eleazar the priest were displeased with the soldiers for sparing the women who had seduced the Israelites and led them into idolatry. Moses ordered the execution of every male child and every woman who had known a man intimately. The spoils of war were divided among the soldiers and the rest of the Israelites, with a portion offered as tribute to God.
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