2 Kings 3:1-8

Moab Revolts

1 Joram[a] son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years.
2 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made.
3 Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.
4 Now Mesha king of Moab raised sheep, and he had to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.
5 But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
6 So at that time King Joram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel.
7 He also sent this message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go with you,” he replied. “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
8 “By what route shall we attack?” he asked. “Through the Desert of Edom,” he answered.

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 9

  • 1. S 2 Kings 1:17
  • 2. 1 Kings 15:26
  • 3. 1 Kings 16:30-32
  • 4. S Exodus 23:24; 2Ki 10:18,26-28
  • 5. S 1 Kings 12:28-32; 1 Kings 14:9,16
  • 6. S Genesis 19:37; 2 Kings 1:1
  • 7. Ezra 7:17; Isaiah 16:1
  • 8. S 2 Kings 1:1
  • 9. 1 Kings 22:4

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew "Jehoram," a variant of "Joram" ; also in verse 6
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