For the LORD says, 'You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink--you and your cattle and your animals.' For the LORD saysThis phrase emphasizes the authority and certainty of the message. In the biblical context, when a prophet declares "For the LORD says," it signifies a direct revelation from God, underscoring the divine origin of the message. This is a common prophetic formula found throughout the Old Testament, indicating that the following words are not of human origin but are a divine decree. You will not see wind or rain
This statement highlights the miraculous nature of the forthcoming event. In the arid regions of the Near East, water is typically associated with rain or natural water sources. The absence of wind or rain suggests that the provision of water will be supernatural, defying natural expectations. This mirrors other biblical miracles where God provides in unexpected ways, such as the manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) or Jesus turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). but the valley will be filled with water
The valley, likely referring to the Wadi, a dry riverbed, will be miraculously filled with water. This demonstrates God's power over nature and His ability to provide abundantly for His people. The filling of the valley with water without natural means serves as a sign of God's intervention and care. It also recalls other instances where God provides water, such as Moses striking the rock at Horeb (Exodus 17:6). and you will drink
This promise of provision is a direct assurance of God's care for the needs of His people. In the context of the narrative, the armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom were in desperate need of water. This provision is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to sustain His people, similar to how He provided for Elijah at the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:2-6). you and your cattle and your animals
The inclusion of cattle and animals underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision. It reflects the agrarian culture of the time, where livestock were essential for survival and prosperity. This promise ensures that not only the soldiers but also their means of sustenance and livelihood will be cared for. It echoes the holistic care God provides, as seen in Psalm 104:14, where God provides grass for the cattle and plants for people to cultivate. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jehoram, King of Israel- The son of Ahab, who led Israel during this time. He sought help from Jehoshaphat to fight against Moab. 2. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah- A godly king who allied with Jehoram to fight against Moab, seeking the Lord's guidance. 3. Elisha the Prophet- The successor of Elijah, who delivered God's message to the kings, promising water without rain. 4. Moabites- The enemies of Israel and Judah in this context, who rebelled against Israel after Ahab's death. 5. The Valley of Edom- The location where the armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom found themselves without water, leading to the miraculous provision. Teaching Points God's Provision Beyond Natural MeansGod can provide for our needs in ways that defy natural expectations. Just as He filled the valley with water without rain, He can meet our needs in unexpected ways. Faith in God's PromisesThe armies had to trust in God's promise through Elisha. We are called to trust in God's Word, even when circumstances seem contrary. Dependence on God in DesperationIn times of desperation, like the armies in the valley, turning to God should be our first response. He is our ultimate source of help and provision. God's Sovereignty Over CreationThis miracle demonstrates God's control over nature. Recognizing His sovereignty can strengthen our faith in His ability to intervene in our lives. Unity in Seeking GodThe alliance of Israel, Judah, and Edom shows the power of unity in seeking God's guidance. In our lives, seeking God together with others can lead to greater understanding and blessing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the miracle of water in 2 Kings 3:17 encourage you to trust God in seemingly impossible situations? 2. In what ways can you apply the lesson of God's provision in this passage to your current life circumstances? 3. How does the unity of the three kings in seeking God's guidance challenge you to seek God in community? 4. What other biblical accounts of God's miraculous provision inspire you, and how do they relate to this passage? 5. How can you cultivate a deeper faith in God's promises, as demonstrated by the armies' trust in Elisha's prophecy? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:1-7The miraculous provision of water from the rock in the desert, showing God's ability to provide in impossible situations. Psalm 107:35God's power to turn a desert into pools of water, emphasizing His sovereignty over nature. John 4:14Jesus as the living water, providing spiritual sustenance and life, paralleling the physical provision in 2 Kings 3:17. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Animals, Armies, Beasts, Cattle, Drink, Drunk, Filled, Full, Livestock, Rain, Says, Stream-bed, Though, Thus, Valley, Wind, YetDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:17 4293 water
4604 animals, nature of 2 Kings 3:11-19 5422 musicians 2 Kings 3:14-19 5420 music 2 Kings 3:15-19 1431 prophecy, OT methods 2 Kings 3:16-25 1416 miracles, nature of Library Sight and Blindness
'Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that them pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881 The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer, Briefly Considered.
"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with, thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?--He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" As mankind are …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Secret of Its Greatness
[Illustration: (drop cap G) The Great Pyramid] God always chooses the right kind of people to do His work. Not only so, He always gives to those whom He chooses just the sort of life which will best prepare them for the work He will one day call them to do. That is why God put it into the heart of Pharaoh's daughter to bring up Moses as her own son in the Egyptian palace. The most important part of Moses' training was that his heart should be right with God, and therefore he was allowed to remain …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 3:17 NIV2 Kings 3:17 NLT2 Kings 3:17 ESV2 Kings 3:17 NASB2 Kings 3:17 KJV
2 Kings 3:17 Commentaries
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