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The elders of Midian, called the kings of Midian, Num_31:8, and princes of Midian, Jos_13:21; who though divided into their kingdoms, yet were now unified upon the approach of the Israelites their common enemy; and being, as it seems, a potent and crafty people, and neighbours to the Moabites, these seek confederacy with them. We read of Midianites near Mount Sinai, Exo 2 Exo 3, which seem to have been a part or colony of this people that went out to seek new quarters, as the manner of those times was, but the body of that people were seated in those parts, as is evident from many scriptures.
Lick up, i.e. consume and utterly destroy, in which sense the fire is said to lick up the water and sacrifices, 1Ki_18:38. The meaning is, we can expect no mercy from them, they will utterly root us out as they did the Amorites, if we do not make a stout and timely opposition.
All that are round about us, i.e. all our people, who lived in the country and territory adjoining to each city, where the princes resided.