Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 24:9

9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel , and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.

Qu. How is this true, when Balak did never fight against Israel, Iudg. 11. 25? Ans. One Prince may commence a War against another, though he never come to a Battel, 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 Numb. 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 v. 11. Gen. 37. 21. Ezek. 24. 13. Mat. 5. 28. Ioh. 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.

Marginal references: Numb. 22. 5. Deut. 23. 4.