How does 2 Kings 3:12 connect with Proverbs 11:14 on seeking wise counsel? Opening Verses 2 Kings 3:12 — “Jehoshaphat said, ‘The word of the LORD is with him.’ So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.” Proverbs 11:14 — “Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Context: Three Kings in Crisis • Israel, Judah, and Edom have joined forces against Moab (2 Kings 3:6-8). • The armies run out of water in the wilderness (3:9). • Jehoshaphat immediately looks for a prophet of the LORD (3:11). • Elisha is identified; all three kings humble themselves and seek his word (3:12). Wise Counsel Exemplified in 2 Kings 3:12 • Jehoshaphat recognizes that genuine wisdom comes from the LORD’s prophet, not from political alliances or military strategy. • By saying “The word of the LORD is with him,” he places divine revelation above royal authority. • The kings respond by “going down” to Elisha—an act of submission that models seeking counsel rather than issuing commands. • Elisha’s guidance (3:15-27) brings deliverance, confirming that seeking godly counsel leads to victory. Principle Affirmed in Proverbs 11:14 • “Where there is no guidance, a people fall” mirrors what would have happened had the kings pressed on without Elisha. • “In an abundance of counselors there is safety” is illustrated as three rulers unite around one prophetic voice, aligning themselves under God’s counsel. • The proverb reveals a universal pattern: collective humility before trustworthy, God-centered advice preserves a nation—just as it spared these armies. Connections and Applications for Today • Scriptural consistency: Old-Testament narratives validate wisdom literature (cf. Proverbs 15:22; Psalm 1:1). • Authority of God’s Word: True counsel is measured by alignment with revealed Scripture (Isaiah 8:20). • Safety in multiplicity: Elisha’s counsel plus the agreement of three kings shows the value of corroborated advice (Matthew 18:16). • Dependence on God: Like the kings, believers seek direction from the Lord first, then confidently act (James 1:5). Practical Steps to Seek Godly Counsel 1. Identify trusted, Scripture-saturated voices—pastors, elders, mature believers. 2. Verify that advice aligns with the Bible; compare it with passages such as 2 Timothy 3:16-17. 3. Approach with humility, ready to “go down” in submission rather than demanding affirmation. 4. Involve multiple counselors where possible to capture “abundance.” 5. Pray for discernment, then obey promptly, expecting God to confirm His guidance as He did for the three kings. Takeaway 2 Kings 3:12 offers a living illustration of Proverbs 11:14: when leaders humble themselves to seek and heed God-given counsel, they exchange impending defeat for divinely secured safety. |
    |