As Zimri brazenly brought Cozbi, a Midianite princess, into the Israelite camp, 24,000 Israelites were being slain for worshiping for offering sacrifices to a foreign god (Baal Peor) and engaging in sexual immorality with Moabite women. The Midianites were in league with the Moabites in luring the Israelites into idol worship and forbidden relations. For his daring act, God awarded Phineas an Eternal Covenant of Peace, as his bravery halted the plague of deaths.