The dramatic encounter between the prophet and the king ends not with a grand conclusion, but with a quiet, bitter parting. After reaching the heights of divine revelation, the two men separate, carrying the heavy frustration of their failure. Yet, this quiet departure only masks the dark schemes they will soon weave together against the Israelites.
Because he experienced his visions while fallen into a deep trance, the end of the prophecy required Balaam to physically rise back to his feet [אבן עזרא, חזקוני, רבנו בחיי]. His exit was abrupt and hurried. He did not even pause to return to his lodgings [אור החיים], setting out completely alone. He left without his donkey, which had been killed, and without receiving any payment for his efforts [אדרת אליהו, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Geographically, Balaam traveled back to his homeland of Aram Naharayim [חזקוני, אדרת אליהו]. However, his return carried a deeper spiritual reality. God had granted him the gift of prophecy only temporarily, out of respect for the Israelites. With the visions concluded, Balaam lost this divine connection and reverted to his former status as a simple magician and diviner. Despite witnessing profound spiritual truths, he refused to abandon his wicked ways [רבנו בחיי, צרור המור, אדרת אליהו, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, his return to his own place hints at his final, permanent destination in hell [צרור המור, קיצור בעל הטורים].
The king of Moab also went his own way, deeply disappointed and in shock. He now understood that his nation lacked a bright future, whereas the Israelites would endure forever. Consumed by anger, he did not even offer Balaam the basic courtesy of an escort [אור החיים, צרור המור, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Just as Balaam lost his prophetic gift, the king returned to his ordinary spiritual level, having only experienced a brief flash of divine inspiration while offering sacrifices [אדרת אליהו]. Politically, his fortunes may have also collapsed. Seeing that the Israelites posed no actual threat, the Moabites realized they no longer needed a warrior king to fight them. Consequently, he was removed from the throne and forced to return to his origins in Midian [אור החיים].
Though they physically parted, their shared wickedness soon brought them back together. Rather than accepting the will of God, they joined forces to defeat the Israelites through deception. The king traveled to Midian to lure the Israelites into immorality, while Balaam followed as a private citizen to support the plot. It was Balaam who provided the despicable advice that ultimately caused the Israelites to sin at Baal Peor [צרור המור, ביאור שטיינזלץ, שפתי כהן].