12. The sons of Simeon--It is supposed that this tribe had been
pre-eminent in the guilt of Baal-peor and had consequently been greatly
reduced in numbers.
Thus God's justice and holiness, as well as His truth and faithfulness,
were strikingly displayed: His justice and holiness in the sweeping
judgments that reduced the ranks of some tribes; and His truth and
faithfulness in the extraordinary increase of others so that the
posterity of Israel continued a numerous people.
JFB.
Picture Study Bible