The Lord Commands Vengeance on Midian

Numbers 31:1-6

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

Revenge first the children of Israel on the Madianites, and so thou shalt be gathered to thy people.

And Moses forthwith said: Arm of you men to fight, who may take the revenge of the Lord on the Madianites.

Let a thousand men be chosen out of every tribe of Israel to be sent to the war.

And they gave a thousand of every tribe, that is to say, twelve thousand men well appointed for battle.

And Moses sent them with Phinees the son of Eleazar the priest, and he delivered to him the holy vessels, and the trumpets to sound.