When he slew them,.... Some of them, the spies particularly; or when he threatened to slay them, or was about to do it: then they sought him; that is, those who either survived the slain, or were threatened with destruction; these sought the Lord by prayer and supplication, that he would not destroy them; the Targum is, "they repented and sought him;'' see Num 14:37, and they returned; from their evil ways, and by repentance, at least in show and appearance: and inquired early after God; but not earnestly, and with their whole hearts and spirits; the Targum is, "they prayed before God;'' which is often done, by carnal professors, in trouble; see Isa 26:16, Hos 5:15.