Joe: Alright, so what’s happening in Numbers 31?

Bible Expert: So after the Israelites defeat the Midianites, God orders Moses to take vengeance on their kings, and to take all their wealth as booty.

Joe: Wow, that’s pretty harsh.

Bible Expert: It was a sign of God’s power. So Moses and the Israelite commanders carry out the orders. They kill all the kings and all the adult males, and take all their possessions.

Joe: Jamie, can you look up what the Midianites did wrong?

Jamie (from off-screen): Sure thing Joe! Looks like they were trying to turn the Israelites away from their faith.

Joe: Gotcha. So what happened next?

Bible Expert: Well, the Israelites kept the women and children alive and took them as captives. They also kept all the livestock, and all the goods that the Midianites had stolen from the Israelites.

Joe: Interesting. What did Moses do with all the loot?

Bible Expert: He gave it to the Levites as a reward for their service. Then, he divided the remaining booty between the other Israelite tribes. The Lord also commanded that a portion of the booty be given to the priests and the people of the sanctuary.