1
In the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Jehoram son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria; 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 removed the pillar of Baal that his father had made.
3
Nevertheless he clung to the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused Israel to commit; he did not depart from it.
4
Now King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder, who used to deliver to the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs, and the wool of one hundred thousand rams.
5
But when 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
As he went he sent word to King Jehoshaphat of Judah, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me; will you go with me to battle against Moab?" He answered, "I will; I am with you, my people are your people, my horses are your horses."
8
Then he asked, "By which way shall we march?" Jehoram answered, "By the way of the wilderness of Edom."
9
So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out; and when they had made a roundabout march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that were with them.