John Gill Commentary Numbers 31:7

"And they warred against Midian, as Jehovah commanded Moses; and they slew every male." — Numbers 31:7 (ASV)

And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord
commanded Moses
Whether the Midianites came out against them with an army, and there was a pitched battle between them, is not certain; however the Israelites committed acts of hostility upon them, by entering their cities, plundering their houses, and slaying the inhabitants of them; the Targum of Jonathan is, "they warred against Midian, and surrounded it in the three corners of it, as the Lord commanded Moses;" for, as Maimonides ^F2 observes from tradition, "when they besiege a city to take it, they do not surround it in the four corners of it, but in the three corners of it, and leave a place to flee out, that everyone that would might escape for his life, as it is said, 'and they warred against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses'; by report, or from tradition, it is learnt that so he commanded him;" that is, in such a manner to besiege a city.

But for this there is only tradition, for it is not mentioned among the rules after directed to in such a case, (Deuteronomy 20:10–20) ,

and they slew all the males ;
which fell into their hands; for, no doubt, there were multitudes that made their escape, since in later times we read of the Midianites, as a very powerful people, and very distressing to Israel, (Judges 6:1Judges 6:2) these, as Aben Ezra observes, they slew, were such as were grown up, for as for their little ones, them they spared and carried captive, (Numbers 31:9) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F2: Hilchot Melacim, c. 6. sect. 7.