Joshua 24:9 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Balak warred against Israel. Quest. How is this true, when Balak did never fight against Israel, Judges 11:25 ? Answ. One prince may commence a war against another, though he never come to a battle, nor strike one stroke; so Balak warred, though not by open force, yet by crafty counsel and warlike stratagems, by magical arts, by wicked devices, by making bate betwixt them and God their confederate; or by warlike preparations, in case Balaam's charms had succeeded, as may be gathered from Numbers 22:11; or at least by design or intention; things being oft said to be done both in Scripture and other authors which were only designed or intended, as here. Joshua 24:11 Genesis 37:21 Ezekiel 24:13 Matthew 5:28 1 Thessalonians 10:32,33. And the old lawyers note, That he is rightly called a thief or an adulterer, & c., who wanted nothing but occasion to be so.