2 Kings 3:8

8 Then he said, "Which way shall we go up?" And he answered, "By way of the Wilderness of Edom."

2 Kings 3:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 3:8

And he said, which way shall we go up
&c.] That is, Jehoram said so to Jehoshaphat, consulting with him which was the best way to take to the land of Moab, whether the shortest way, over Jordan; or some other:

and he answered, the way through the wilderness of Edom;
which bordered upon it, and the same through which the Israelites passed; for Kadesh was on the extreme border of Edom, whither they came, ( Numbers 20:1 Numbers 20:16 ) and this Jehoshaphat proposed, partly that they might come upon Moab unawares, and attack them where they were weakest, and not on their guard; and partly, to take the king of Edom with them, who was no other than Jehoshaphat's deputy, and so be assisting to them, and prevent him from revolting, which otherwise he might take this opportunity of doing.

2 Kings 3:8 In-Context

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."