Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Numbers 22:36-40
Balaam's Arrival in Moab (Numbers 22:36).
‘And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab (or ‘a city of Moab'), which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.'
Meanwhile Balak learned that he was coming, and Balaam's importance was such that Balak went with an official welcoming party to the very borders of Moab. 'Ir of Moab may have been the name of the city. Or the idea may simply be to indicate ‘a border city'. It was on the banks of the Arnon, the extreme border of Moab.
‘And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honour?” '
When the two parties met up Balak, while remembering whom he was speaking to, expressed his displeasure. He could not understand why Balaam had prevaricated and had delayed coming. Had he not been made aware of the urgency of his request? Why then had he not come immediately the first time? Did he not recognise the honour that Balak could bestow on him? The stress that Balak felt himself under with the Israelite threat just across the border comes out in his aggravation at the slight delay. (Kings are used to saying what they want, but some of Balak's followers may have been apprehensive about him speaking to the mighty Balaam in this way. They did not know about the incident of the ass).
‘And Balaam said to Balak, “Lo, I am come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.” '
Balaam haughtily pointed out that he should be satisfied with the fact that he was here. But with his recent experience in mind he emphasised that he was not in a position to speak anything he wanted. He could only speak what God put in his mouth. And that is all that he would speak. Balak was satisfied with that. After all, that was Balaam's speciality, making gods do what he wanted.
‘ And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. And Balak sacrificed (or ‘slaughtered') oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the chieftains who were with him.'
Balak then took Balaam and the chieftains to a city named Kiriath-huzoth, and there Balak offered sacrifices and from the sacrifices provided food for them. ‘Sacrificed (slaughtered).' This may simply have indicated the slaughtering of animals for a feast, or may have included a ritual ceremony of sacrifices to Chemosh, the god of Moab, and possibly to the god of the Midianites. Note how the whole account began with the chieftains and ends with them.