Numbers 22:19

Now, therefore, I pray you, &c.— Here, as Bishop Butler well observes, the iniquity of his heart began to disclose itself. A thorough honest man would, without hesitation, have repeated his former answer, that he could not be guilty of so infamous a prostitution of the sacred character with which he was invested, as, in the name of a prophet, to curse those whom he knew to be blessed. But, instead of this, which was the only honest path that in there circumstances lay before him, he desires the princes of Moab to tarry a night with him also; and, for the sake of the reward, deliberates, whether, by some means or other, he might not be able to obtain leave to curse Israel; to do that, which had been before revealed to him to be contrary to the will of God, but which yet he resolves not to do without his permission. See Bishop Butler's Sermons at the Rolls, p. 123.

See commentary on Numbers 22:15