Why did God ask the Israelites to "kill women and children", etc... in Numbers 31: 16-18?

16 Behold, these caused the Israelites by the counsel of Balaam to trespass and act treacherously against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and so a [smiting] plague came among the congregation of the Lord. 17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who is not a virgin. 18 But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.

Numbers 31:16 - 18

AMP - ¹⁶ Behold, these caused the Israelites by the counsel of Balaam to trespass and act treacherously against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and so a [smiting] plague came among the congregation of the Lord. ¹⁷ Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who is not a virgin.

Clarify • Share • Report • Asked December 27 2015 • Peggy Johnson