Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. (Numbers 22:6)
Balak was planning to destroy Israel but was afraid to attempt it in his own strength. He had heard of the effectiveness of Balaam’s powers. In ancient times blessing and cursing were both common, as by Noah (Gen. 9:25-27), Isaac (Gen. 27:27), Jacob (Gen. 49), Joshua (Joshua 6:26), and Elisha (2 Kings 2:24). Similarly, Goliath prefaced his combat with David by calling down the curse of his good upon the lad (1 Sam. 17:43). It is folly to seek to explain all the phenomena of heathen magic by assuming it to be merely trickery.
Too mighty for me.
Balak realized he needed more than human help to cope with the apparent power of Israel.
Curse me this people.
Balak and his people were believers in the power of the sorcerer and his incantations. Magic, the black art, and devil possession are the natural accompaniments of idolatry.