Balak Summons Balaam

22 Then the Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan, across from Jericho.

2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites. 4 So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.”

Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time, 5 he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates [fn] in the land of his people.

“Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”

7 The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.

8 “Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9 Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

10 And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 11 ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’ ”

12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

13 So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

14 And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15 Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers. 16 They came to Balaam and said, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me, 17 for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’ ”

18 But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. 19 So now, please stay here overnight as the others did, that I may find out what else the LORD has to tell me.”

20 That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.” 21 So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.