2 Kings Chapter 3 — The War Against Moab
After Moab rebels against Israel, King Jehoram joins forces with the kings of Judah and Edom to fight back, guided by a miracle from the prophet Elisha.
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Notable Verses
2 Kings 3:11
“But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?””
This verse highlights Jehoshaphat's reliance on seeking God's guidance during a crisis.
2 Kings 3:17
“For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, both you and your livestock and your other animals.’”
This describes the unique nature of the miracle Elisha performed through God's power.
Chapter Summary
Jehoram, son of Ahab, becomes king of Israel and forms an alliance with Jehoshaphat of Judah and the king of Edom to suppress a rebellion by Mesha, king of Moab. While marching through the wilderness of Edom, the armies and their livestock run out of water. King Jehoshaphat suggests seeking a prophet, leading them to Elisha. Although Elisha is critical of Jehoram, he provides a prophecy out of respect for Jehoshaphat. He instructs the men to dig trenches, which God miraculously fills with water without rain. The Moabites, seeing the morning sun reflect on the water, mistake it for blood and rush into an ambush. The allied forces devastate Moab's cities and land. The conflict ends when the king of Moab offers his eldest son as a sacrifice on the city wall, leading the allied forces to withdraw and return to their own lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom were stranded in the desert without water while marching to fight Moab. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, insisted on consulting a prophet of the Lord to find a solution to their life-threatening situation.
Elisha instructed the kings to dig many trenches in the valley. The next morning, water flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land, providing for the men and animals without any visible wind or rain.
In the morning light, the water in the trenches appeared red like blood to the Moabites. They mistakenly believed the three allied kings had turned on each other and attacked the camp unprepared, leading to their defeat.
Study Note
The mention of Mesha, king of Moab, is historically significant as it corresponds with the archaeological discovery of the Mesha Stele, which describes the rebellion from the Moabite perspective.
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