Retaliation: The Kings of Midian
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The narrative of the Kings of Midian and the theme of retaliation is primarily found in the Book of Numbers, specifically in chapters 25 and 31. This account provides insight into the Israelites' interactions with the Midianites and the divine command for retribution against them.

Background and Context

The Midianites were a nomadic people descended from Midian, a son of Abraham by his concubine Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). They inhabited the region east of the Jordan River and were often in conflict with the Israelites. The Midianites are notably mentioned in the context of the Balaam incident, where they, along with the Moabites, sought to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24).

The Sin of Peor

The immediate cause for divine retaliation against the Midianites is found in Numbers 25. The Israelites, while camped at Shittim, began to engage in idolatry and immorality with the Moabite and Midianite women. This led to the worship of Baal of Peor, inciting the LORD's anger against Israel. As a result, a plague struck the Israelites, which was only halted by the zealous action of Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, who executed an Israelite man and a Midianite woman engaged in blatant immorality (Numbers 25:6-9).

Divine Command for Retaliation

In response to the events at Peor, God commanded Moses to treat the Midianites as enemies and strike them down. Numbers 25:16-18 states, "The LORD said to Moses, 'Treat the Midianites as enemies and strike them down, for they treated you as enemies when they deceived you in the Peor incident involving their sister Cozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader, the woman who was killed on the day the plague came as a result of Peor.'"

The Campaign Against Midian

The execution of this divine command is detailed in Numbers 31. Moses instructed the Israelites to arm themselves for war against Midian to carry out the LORD's vengeance. A thousand men from each tribe were sent into battle, led by Phinehas, who carried the holy articles and trumpets. The Israelites were victorious, killing all the Midianite men, including the five kings: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba. Balaam, the prophet who had previously attempted to curse Israel, was also killed in the battle (Numbers 31:7-8).

Aftermath and Spoils

Following the victory, the Israelites captured the women, children, and livestock of the Midianites. However, Moses was angered that the women were spared, as they had been instrumental in leading Israel into sin at Peor. Consequently, Moses commanded that all male children and non-virgin women be killed, while the virgin girls were spared (Numbers 31:15-18).

The spoils of war, including livestock and precious metals, were divided among the warriors, the congregation, and the Levites. A portion was also offered to the LORD as tribute (Numbers 31:25-30).

Theological Implications

The account of the retaliation against the Kings of Midian underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry and immorality. It highlights the concept of divine justice and the necessity of purging evil from among God's people. The narrative also serves as a reminder of the consequences of leading others into sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands.
Nave's Topical Index
Judges 8:18-21
Then said he to Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor? And they answered, As you are, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Book of Jubilees
... he is forty-two, and remains in Midian for thirty ... xxxviii.): "There were kings who
reigned over Edom, before ... an example of the law of retaliation afterwards re ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... out; compare, eg, "Like the day of Midian," Isaiah 9:3 ... Schmid says: "The punishment
is by the law of retaliation. ... with a reference to idolatry in 2 Kings 17:32 ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

And ii.
... anything in which the same law of retaliation was manifested ... of this supposition,
that, in 1 Kings 22:28 ... Moses, the Edomitic king, Hadad, smote Midian in the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of the field."The kings came and fought;"then fought the kings of Canaan ... us thus,
that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with Midian?"*. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Resources
Did Moses copy the Law from the Code of Hammurabi? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Mephibosheth? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of 2 Samuel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Retaliation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Retaliation: The Israelites on the Amalekites
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