2 Kings 3:9

9 So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom took an indirect route [to Moab]. After seven days they ran out of water for the army and the 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 this message to King Jehoshaphat of Judah: "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you fight Moab with me?" Jehoshaphat answered, "I'll go. I will do what you do. My troops will do what your troops do. My horses will do what your horses do."

8 Joram asked, "Which road should we take?" Jehoshaphat answered, "The road through the desert of Edom."

9 So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom took an indirect route [to Moab]. After seven days they ran out of water for the army and the animals.

10 The king of Israel said, "Oh no! The LORD has put the three of us at the mercy of [the people of] Moab."

11 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of the LORD whom we could ask?" One of the officials of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here. He used to be Elijah's assistant."