2 Kings 3:9

9 So King Joram and the kings of Judah and Edom set out. After marching seven days, they ran out of water, and there was none left for the men or the pack animals.

2 Kings 3:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 3:9

So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah
The way of the wilderness of Edom, proposed by the latter:

and the king of Edom;
whom they took with them in their way, who was not properly a king, but a viceroy or deputy, see ( 1 Kings 22:47 )

and they fetched a compass of seven days journey;
they went round the Dead Sea, and through the wilderness of Edom, and so to the borders of Moab:

and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed
them;
neither for the soldiers in the army, nor the cattle that drew the carriages, being in a wilderness.

2 Kings 3:9 In-Context

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.

9 So King Joram and the kings of Judah and Edom set out. After marching seven days, they ran out of water, and there was none left for the men or the pack animals.

10 "We're done for!" King Joram exclaimed. "The Lord has put the three of us at the mercy of the king of Moab!"

11 King Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there a prophet here through whom we can consult the Lord?" An officer of King Joram's forces answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He was Elijah's assistant."