“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
25:17 The Midianites - And why not the Moabites. It is probable the Midianites were most guilty, as in persuading Balak to send for Balaam, #Nu 22:4|,7. So in the reception of Balaam after Balak had dismissed him, #Nu 31:8|, and in farther consultation with him, and in contriving the means for the executing of this wicked plot.
25:18 With their wiles - For under pretence of kindred and friendship and leagues, which they offered to them, instead of that war which the Israelites expected, they sought only an opportunity to insinuate themselves into their familiarity, and execute their hellish plot of bringing that curse upon the Israelites, which they had in vain attempted to bring another way.