2 Kings 3:19

19 '¹Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.' "

2 Kings 3:19 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 3:19

And ye shall smite every fenced city and every choice city,
&c.] That is, the inhabitants of them with the sword, and demolish them also, ( 2 Kings 3:25 ) , and shall fell every good tree; which seems contrary to the law in ( Deuteronomy 20:19 ) , but that may respect trees belonging to a city when besieged only, or only to Canaanitish cities; or the law was now dispensed with, and that for this time only, to make the punishment of Moab the greater, for their rebellion and other sins:

and stop all wells of water;
which must be very distressing to those that survived the calamity of the sword:

and mar every good piece of land with stones;
as that it could not be ploughed and sowed, nor anything spring up and grow upon it.

2 Kings 3:19 In-Context

17 "For thus says the LORD , 'You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts.

18 'This is but a slight thing in the sight of the LORD ; He will also give the Moabites into your hand.

19 'Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.' "

20 It happened in the morning about the time of offering the sacrifice, that behold, water came by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.

21 Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and stood on the border.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Kings 3:25