Numeri 22:10,11

We must not suppose that the LORD asked Balaam, from an ignorance of which had passed, wherefore these men were come: but the subject of the discourse is thus carried on. Moreover, it should seem from what follows, that Balaam was temporizing, as it were, with GOD in order to gratify Balak! He longed, as all bad men like himself have always done, to curse the LORD'S people. See David's account of this: Salmi 109:28.