Albert Barnes Commentary Numbers 14:5

"Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel." — Numbers 14:5 (ASV)

Already Caleb had endeavored to still the people before Moses (Numbers 13:30); already Moses himself (Deuteronomy 1:29 and following) had endeavored to recall the people to obedience. After the failure of these efforts Moses and Aaron cast themselves down in solemn prayer before God ; and the appearance of the glory of the Lord in the tabernacle of the congregation (Numbers 14:10) was the immediate answer.