Balaam's Prophecy

10 Then Balak was full of wrath against Balaam, and angrily waving his hands he said to Balaam, I sent for you so that those who are against me might be cursed, but now, see, three times you have given them a blessing. 11 Go back quickly to the place you came from: it was my purpose to give you a place of honour, but now the Lord has kept you back from honour. 12 Then Balaam said to Balak, Did I not say to the men you sent to me, 13 Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to go outside the orders of the Lord, doing good or evil at the impulse of my mind; whatever the Lord says I will say? 14 So now I will go back to my people: but first let me make clear to you what this people will do to your people in days to come.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 24:10-14

Commentary on Numbers 24:10-14

(Read Numbers 24:10-14)

This vain attempt to curse Israel is ended. Balak broke out into a rage against Balaam, and expressed great vexation. Balaam has a very full excuse; God restrained him from saying what he would have said, and constrained him to say what he would not have uttered.