John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And God came unto Balaam , etc.] In a dream very probably, as he did to Abimelech and Laban, ( Genesis 20:3 31:24): and said, what men are these with thee ? who lodged with him that night.
This he said, not as ignorant who they were, or from whence they came, or what they came about; but in order to lead on to a discourse with Balaam, and to have from him the account of the men, and their business, and to try his fidelity in relating the affair.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-14 - The king of Moab formed a plan to get the people of Israel cursed; tha is, to set God against them, who had hitherto fought for them. He had false notion, that if he could get some prophet to pray for evil upo them, and to pronounce a blessing upon himself and his forces, tha then he should be able to deal with them. None had so great reputation as Balaam; and Balak will employ him, though he send a grea way for him. It is not known whether the Lord had ever spoken to Balaam, or by him, before this; though it is probable he had, and it is certain he did afterwards. Yet we have abundant proof that he lived an died a wicked man, an enemy to God and his people. And the curse shal not come upon us if there is not a cause, even though men utter it. To prevail with Balaam, they took the wages of unrighteousness, but God laid restraint upon Balaam, forbidding him to curse Israel. Balaam wa no stranger to Israel's cause; so that he ought to have answered the messengers at once, that he would never curse a people whom God ha blessed; but he takes a night's time to consider what he should do When we parley with temptations, we are in great danger of being overcome. Balaam was not faithful in returning God's answer to the messengers. Those are a fair mark for Satan's temptation, who lesse Divine restraints; as if to go against God's law were only to go without his leave. The messengers also are not faithful in returnin Balaam's answer to Balak. Thus many are abused by the flatteries of those about them, and are prevented from seeing their own faults an follies.
Original Hebrew ויבא935 אלהים430 אל413 בלעם1109 ויאמר559 מי4310 האנשׁים582 האלה428 עמך׃5973
