2 Kings 3:1-8

Moab Rebels Against Israel

1 1In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twelve years.
2 He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, though not like his father and mother, for he put away the 2pillar of Baal 3that his father had made.
3 Nevertheless, he clung to 4the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, 5which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from it.
4 Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, 6and he had to deliver to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.
5 But 7when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
6 So King Jehoram marched out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel.
7 And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to battle against Moab?" And he said, "I will go. 8I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses."
8 Then he said, "By which way shall we march?" Jehoram answered, "By the way of the wilderness of Edom."

2 Kings 3:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 3

This chapter gives the character of Jehoram king of Israel, 2Ki 3:1-3, relates the rebellion of the king of Moab against him, 2Ki 3:4,5, the war that he and his allies entered into on that account, 2Ki 3:6-9 the distress the combined army were in for want of water, their application upon this to Elisha, who promised them water, and they had it in a wonderful manner, 2Ki 3:10-20 and the chapter is concluded with the rout of the Moabites, and the barbarity of their king to his eldest son, 2Ki 3:21-27.

Cross References 8

  • 1. [2 Kings 1:17]
  • 2. [2 Kings 10:26, 27; Exodus 23:24]
  • 3. 1 Kings 16:31, 32
  • 4. 1 Kgs. 12:28, 31, 32
  • 5. See 1 Kings 14:16
  • 6. [Isaiah 16:1, 2]
  • 7. 2 Kings 1:1
  • 8. 1 Kings 22:4
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.