1
In the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Joram son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for twelve years.
2
He sinned against the Lord, but he was not as bad as his father or his mother Jezebel; he pulled down the image his father had made for the worship of Baal.
3
Yet, like King Jeroboam son of Nebat before him, he led Israel into sin and would not stop.
4
King Mesha of Moab raised sheep, and every year he gave as tribute to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 sheep.
5
But when King Ahab of Israel died, Mesha rebelled against Israel.
6
At once King Joram left Samaria and gathered all his troops.
7
He sent word to King Jehoshaphat of Judah: "The king of Moab has rebelled against me; will you join me in war against him?" "I will," King Jehoshaphat replied. "I am at your disposal, and so are my men and my horses.
8
What route shall we take for the attack?" "We will go the long way through the wilderness of Edom," Joram answered.