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2 Kings 3

This chapter narrates the revolt of Moab against Israel after the death of King Ahab. King Jehoram of Israel seeks help from Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and the king of Edom to suppress the rebellion. The chapter also highlights the intervention of the prophet Elisha, who provides divine guidance and helps the allied kings achieve victory. However, the story takes a surprising turn when the king of Moab resorts to extreme measures, creating an unsettling end to the conflict.

2 Kings 3:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel at Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
2 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father and mother; for he put away the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made.
3 Nevertheless he persisted in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin; he did not depart from them.
4 Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepbreeder, and he regularly paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams.
5 But it happened, when Ahab died, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

Jehoram, the son of Ahab, becomes king and, although he avoids the full idolatry of Baal worship, he continues in the sins introduced by Jeroboam, specifically the worship of golden calves. Moab, which had been subjugated and made to pay tribute during Ahab’s reign, sees Ahab’s death as an opportunity to rebel. This sets the stage for the conflict between Israel and Moab, marking a key point of tension as Israel seeks to maintain its control over Moab.

2 Kings 3:6-10 (NKJV)
6 So King Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel.
7 Then he went and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?" And he said, "I will go up; I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses."
8 Then he said, "Which way shall we go up?" And he answered, "By way of the Wilderness of Edom."
9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched on that roundabout route seven days; and there was no water for the army nor for the animals that followed them.
10 And the king of Israel said, "Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab."

Jehoram mobilizes Israel’s forces and seeks an alliance with King Jehoshaphat of Judah, who agrees to join him. They also enlist the king of Edom, and the three kings set out through the desert, taking a difficult route. However, they face a crisis when they run out of water, causing Jehoram to despair and fear that God has brought them together only to deliver them into Moab’s hands.

2 Kings 3:11-12 (NKJV)
11 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?" So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."
12 And Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the Lord is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

In contrast to Jehoram’s despair, Jehoshaphat seeks divine guidance and asks if there is a prophet nearby. Elisha, the successor of Elijah, is recognized, and the kings go to him, trusting that he has the word of the Lord. This reflects Jehoshaphat’s reliance on God’s guidance in times of trouble, while Jehoram’s reaction reveals his lack of faith.

2 Kings 3:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab."
14 And Elisha said, "As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you.
15 But now bring me a musician." Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.

Elisha’s response is stern toward Jehoram because of the evil practices of Ahab’s family. He emphasizes that he would not even acknowledge Jehoram if it weren’t for Jehoshaphat’s presence, showing Elisha’s respect for the godly king of Judah. Elisha then asks for a musician, and as music is played, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, preparing him to deliver God’s message.

2 Kings 3:16-19 (NKJV)
16 And he said, "Thus says the Lord: 'Make this valley full of ditches.'
17 For thus says the Lord: 'You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.'
18 And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.
19 Also you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall cut down every good tree, and stop up every spring of water, and ruin every good piece of land with stones."

Elisha delivers a message from God, instructing them to dig ditches in the valley, which will miraculously be filled with water, even though no rain will fall. This miracle will provide for their needs and is a sign of God’s favor. Additionally, God promises that they will defeat the Moabites, conquering their cities and devastating their land as a form of judgment.

2 Kings 3:20-25 (NKJV)
20 Now it happened in the morning, when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.
21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to bear arms and older were gathered; and they stood at the border.
22 Then they rose up early in the morning, and the sun was shining on the water; and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood.
23 And they said, "This is blood; the kings have surely struck swords and have killed one another; now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!"
24 So when they came to the camp of Israel, Israel rose up and attacked the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they entered their land, killing the Moabites.
25 Then they destroyed the cities; and each man threw a stone on every good piece of land and filled it; and they stopped up all the springs of water and cut down all the good trees. But they left the stones of Kir Haraseth intact. However, the slingers surrounded and attacked it.

In the morning, the miracle occurs: water fills the valley. The Moabites misinterpret the water, thinking it is blood from the kings fighting among themselves. Confident in an easy victory, they rush into the Israelite camp, only to be ambushed and defeated. Israel then executes God’s judgment on Moab by destroying cities, ruining fertile land, and cutting off resources, weakening Moab’s ability to resist in the future.

2 Kings 3:26-27 (NKJV)
26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him seven hundred men who drew swords, to break through to the king of Edom; but they could not.
27 Then he took his eldest son who would have reigned in his place, and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel. So they departed from him and returned to their own land.

In desperation, the king of Moab attempts to break through the enemy lines but fails. In a shocking act, he sacrifices his own son as a burnt offering on the city wall. This extreme act causes such horror that the Israelites withdraw from the battle and return to their land. The chapter ends on an unsettling note, emphasizing the depths of Moab’s despair and the spiritual corruption in their practices.

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