Numbers 24:10
And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
Balak had brought Balaam to curse his enemies, Israel, but Balaam blessed them instead. The blessing was given three times, on every attempt to secure a curse. By smiting his hands together Balak expressed his anger and dismay.
The surrounding prophecy presents Israel as protected by God and destined to triumph, so the desired curse could not prevail and the attempts were futile. Balak saw in it that Israel would become a threat to his own people. Balak angrily sent Balaam away, blaming him for losing the promised honor.
Balaam could speak only the words God gave him, for God compelled him to bless though his own heart wanted to curse. That failure left him disappointed over the riches and honor he had hoped to gain. Balak had repeatedly moved Balaam from one place to another trying to turn the blessing into a curse but failed, just as repeated efforts could not shake Luther's resolve.