NUM278 We should not seek to curse for our enemies, rather we should pray that they should become our friends. The Children of Israel encamped in the plains of Moab. The Moabites were frightened, and Balak, their king, sent messages to Bilaam, requesting him to destroy the Israelites with a curse [this verse]. The Chofetz Chayim commented that from here we see how wicked Balak was. Balak believed that Balaam had the power to bless. If so, why was it necessary to request Bilaam to curse the Jews? He could have asked him to bless his own people so that they should not be harmed (Chofetz Chayim al Hatorah on this verse].