And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. (Numbers 22:7)
Moab and Midian were united in this scheme. The rewards of divination and intercession were looked upon as legitimate gain (see 1 Sam. 9:7, 8; 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 8:8). From ancient times one would scarcely approach an eminent person without a present in one’s hand (Gen. 43:11, 25, 26; Mal. 1:8).