Mental stuff in Kings - moral metaphors? take literally? history? Whichever way you view it, they are weird!?

Not in Kings, but Balaam also is a very twisted story. First, as far as I know Balaam did not have contact with the Jews, but they know the detailed story. Second, we are to believe that a donkey can avoid a spiritual being trying to kill its master. Then when Balaam reaches the Jew's enemy city, he can not bless or prophecy for them. Those early Israelites must have had some intelligence organization!