2 Kings 3

1 Ioram vero filius Ahab regnavit super Israhel in Samaria anno octavodecimo Iosaphat regis Iudae regnavitque duodecim annis

2 et fecit malum coram Domino sed non sicut pater suus et mater tulit enim statuas Baal quas fecerat pater eius

3 verumtamen in peccatis Hieroboam filii Nabath qui peccare fecit Israhel adhesit nec recessit ab eis

4 porro Mesa rex Moab nutriebat pecora multa et solvebat regi Israhel centum milia agnorum et centum milia arietum cum velleribus suis

5 cumque mortuus fuisset Ahab praevaricatus est foedus quod habebat cum rege Israhel

6 egressus est igitur rex Ioram in die illa de Samaria et recensuit universum Israhel

7 misitque ad Iosaphat regem Iuda dicens rex Moab recessit a me veni mecum contra Moab ad proelium qui respondit ascendam qui meus est tuus est populus meus populus tuus equi mei equi tui

8 dixitque per quam viam ascendemus at ille respondit per desertum Idumeae

9 perrexerunt igitur rex Israhel et rex Iuda et rex Edom et circumierunt per viam septem dierum nec erat aqua exercitui et iumentis quae sequebantur eos

10 dixitque rex Israhel eheu eheu eheu congregavit nos Dominus tres reges ut traderet in manu Moab

11 et ait Iosaphat estne hic propheta Domini ut deprecemur Dominum per eum et respondit unus de servis regis Israhel est hic Heliseus filius Saphat qui fundebat aquam super manus Heliae

12 et ait Iosaphat est apud eum sermo Domini descenditque ad eum rex Israhel et Iosaphat et rex Edom

13 dixit autem Heliseus ad regem Israhel quid mihi et tibi est vade ad prophetas patris tui et matris tuae et ait illi rex Israhel quare congregavit Dominus tres reges hos ut traderet eos in manu Moab

14 dixit autem Heliseus vivit Dominus exercituum in cuius conspectu sto quod si non vultum Iosaphat regis Iudae erubescerem ne adtendissem quidem te nec respexissem

15 nunc autem adducite mihi psalten cumque caneret psaltes facta est super eum manus Domini et ait

16 haec dicit Dominus facite alveum torrentis huius fossas et fossas

17 haec enim dicit Dominus non videbitis ventum neque pluviam et alveus iste replebitur aquis et bibetis vos et familiae vestrae et iumenta vestra

18 parumque hoc est in conspectu Domini insuper tradet etiam Moab in manu vestra

19 et percutietis omnem civitatem munitam et omnem urbem electam et universum lignum fructiferum succidetis cunctosque fontes aquarum obturabitis et omnem agrum egregium operietis lapidibus

20 factum est igitur mane quando sacrificium offerri solet et ecce aquae veniebant per viam Edom et repleta est terra aquis

21 universi autem Moabitae audientes quod ascendissent reges ut pugnarent adversum eos convocaverunt omnes qui accincti erant balteo desuper et steterunt in terminis

22 primoque mane surgentes et orto iam sole ex adverso aquarum viderunt Moabitae contra aquas rubras quasi sanguinem

23 dixeruntque sanguis est gladii pugnaverunt reges contra se et caesi sunt mutuo nunc perge ad praedam Moab

24 perrexeruntque in castra Israhel porro consurgens Israhel percussit Moab at illi fugerunt coram eis venerunt igitur qui vicerant et percusserunt Moab

25 et civitates destruxerunt et omnem agrum optimum mittentes singuli lapides repleverunt et universos fontes aquarum obturaverunt et omnia ligna fructifera succiderunt ita ut muri tantum fictiles remanerent et circumdata est civitas a fundibalariis et magna ex parte percussa

26 quod cum vidisset rex Moab praevaluisse scilicet hostes tulit secum septingentos viros educentes gladium ut inrumperet ad regem Edom et non potuerunt

27 arripiensque filium suum primogenitum qui regnaturus erat pro eo obtulit holocaustum super murum et facta est indignatio magna in Israhel statimque recesserunt ab eo et reversi sunt in terram suam

2 Kings 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

Jehoram, king of Israel. (1-5) War with Moab, The intercession of Elisha. (6-19) Water supplied, Moab overcome. (20-27)

Verses 1-5 Jehoram took warning by God's judgment, and put away the image of Baal, yet he maintained the worship of the calves. Those do not truly repent or reform, who only part with the sins they lose by, but continue to love the sins that they think to gain by.

Verses 6-19 The king of Israel laments their distress, and the danger they were in. He called these kings together, yet he charges it upon Providence. Thus the foolishness of man perverteth his way, and then his heart fretteth against the Lord, ( Proverbs 19:3 ) . It was well that Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord now, but it had been much better if he had done it before he engaged in this war. Good men sometimes neglect their duty, till necessity and affliction drive them to it. Wicked people often fare the better for the friendship and society of the godly. To try their faith and obedience, Elisha bids them make the valley full of pits to receive water. Those who expect God's blessings, must dig pools for the rain to fill, as in the valley of Baca, and thus make even that a well, ( Psalms 84:6 ) . We need not inquire whence the water came. God is not tied to second causes. They that sincerely seek for the dew of God's grace, shall have it, and by it be made more than conquerors.

Verses 20-27 It is a blessing to be favoured with the company of those who have power with God, and can prevail by their prayers. A kingdom may be upheld and prosper, in consequence of the fervent prayers of those who are dear to God. May we place our highest regard upon such as are most precious in his account. When sinners are saying Peace, peace, destruction comes upon them: despair will follow their mad presumption. In Satan's service and at his suggestion, such horrid deeds have been done, as cause the natural feelings of the heart to shudder; like the king of Moab's sacrificing his son. It is well not to urge the worst of men to extremities; we should rather leave them to the judgment of God.

Chapter Summary

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.