* Arm some.
  Ex 17:9-13 
 * avenge the Lord.
   It was God's quarrel, not their own, that they were now to
   take up.  These people were idolaters, and had seduced the
   Israelites to practise the same abominations.  Idolatry is an
   offence against God; and the civil power has no authority to
   meddle with what belongs to Him, without especial directions,
   certified, as in this case, in the most unequivocal manner.
   Private revenge, ambition, or avarice were to have no place in
   this business:  Jehovah is to be avenged; and through Him, the
   children of Israel, (ver. 2,) because they were nearly ruined
   by their idolatries.  If Jehovah, instead of punishing sinners
   by earthquakes, pestilence, or famine,is pleased expressly to
   command any person or people to avenge his cause, this
   commission justifies, nay sanctifies, war, massacre, or
   devastation.  Though none at present shew such a commission,
   yet the Israelites could; and it is therefore absurd to
   censure Moses, Joshua, and Israel, for the dreadful slaughter
   made by them.  God himself passed sentence of condemnation,
   and employed them merely as ministers of his vengeance; and
   unless it could be proved that the criminals did not deserve
   their doom, or that God had no right to punish his rebellious
   creatures, such objectors only shew their enmity to God by
   becoming the unsolicited advocates of his enemies.

  25:11,13  Ex 17:16  Le 26:25  Jud 5:2,23  2Ki 9:7  10:30  Jer 46:10 
  Jer 50:28