Albert Barnes Commentary Judges 6:1

"And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah: and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years." — Judges 6:1 (ASV)

Midian - See Genesis 25:2 note. They were remarkable not only for the vast number of their cattle (Judges 6:5; Numbers 31:32–39), but also for their great wealth in gold and other metal ornaments, showing their connection with a gold country. (Compare Numbers 31:22, Numbers 31:50–54, with Judges 8:24, 26.) At this time they were allies of the Amalekites and of the Arabian tribes called collectively “the children of the East” (Judges 6:3). They seem to have extended their settlements to the east of Jordan, and to have belonged to the larger section of Arabs called Ishmaelites (Judges 8:24).