They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well. They destroyed the citiesThe destruction of cities was a common military tactic in ancient warfare, intended to weaken the enemy's infrastructure and morale. In the context of 2 Kings 3, the coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom was waging war against Moab. The destruction signifies a comprehensive victory over the Moabite cities, fulfilling the prophecy of Elisha that the Lord would deliver Moab into their hands ( 2 Kings 3:18). and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered
This act of covering fields with stones was a deliberate strategy to render the land unusable for agriculture, effectively crippling the Moabite economy. This tactic is reminiscent of the curse of barrenness found in Deuteronomy 28:23, where disobedience to God would result in the land being unproductive. It also reflects the thoroughness of the Israelites' campaign against Moab. They stopped up every spring
Blocking springs would deprive the Moabites of essential water sources, further debilitating their ability to sustain life and agriculture. Water was a precious resource in the arid regions of the Near East, and controlling it was a significant advantage in warfare. This action underscores the severity of the judgment against Moab. and cut down every good tree
Cutting down trees was another method of ensuring long-term devastation, as trees were vital for food, shade, and building materials. This act can be seen as a fulfillment of the curse against the land, similar to the destruction of the fig tree by Jesus in Mark 11:12-14, symbolizing judgment and the removal of blessings. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place
Kir-haraseth, also known as Kir-hareseth or Kir of Moab, was a fortified city and the capital of Moab. Its mention here indicates its strategic importance and the difficulty in capturing it. The city is referenced in Isaiah 16:7 and Jeremiah 48:31, 36, highlighting its significance in Moabite history and prophecy. but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well
The use of slings in ancient warfare was common, as they were effective weapons for both offense and defense. The surrounding of Kir-haraseth by slingers indicates a siege, a typical military strategy to cut off supplies and force surrender. This mirrors the persistence and determination of the Israelite coalition to completely subdue Moab, aligning with the divine promise of victory. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of Israel, led by King Jehoram, who were engaged in battle against Moab. 2. MoabitesThe inhabitants of Moab, who were under the rule of King Mesha and were the adversaries in this conflict. 3. Kir-haresethA fortified city in Moab, known for its strong defenses, which was besieged by the Israelites. 4. King JehoramThe king of Israel at the time, who led the coalition against Moab. 5. SlingersThe soldiers who used slings to attack the city, demonstrating a strategic military tactic. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe destruction of Moab serves as a reminder of the consequences nations face when they oppose God's people. Strategic WarfareThe Israelites' tactics, such as stopping springs and cutting down trees, teach the importance of strategy and preparation in overcoming challenges. God's Sovereignty in BattlesDespite human efforts, ultimate victory is determined by God's will, emphasizing reliance on Him in our struggles. The Importance of UnityThe coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom demonstrates the strength found in unity and cooperation among God's people. Preservation of God's PromisesThe victory over Moab is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the destruction of Moab reflect the broader theme of God's judgment in the Old Testament? 2. In what ways can we apply the strategic actions of the Israelites to our spiritual battles today? 3. How does the alliance between Israel, Judah, and Edom illustrate the importance of unity among believers? 4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' reliance on God's guidance in their military campaign? 5. How does the account of Moab's defeat encourage us to trust in God's promises despite overwhelming odds? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 6The destruction of Jericho parallels the destruction of Moabite cities, showing God's power in delivering victory to His people. Isaiah 16Mentions Kir-hareseth, providing a prophetic context to the significance of this city in Moab. 2 Chronicles 20Jehoshaphat's involvement in battles, similar to his alliance with Jehoram against Moab, highlights the recurring theme of alliances in warfare. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Armed, Attacked, Beat, Break, Cast, Cause, Cities, Conquered, Covered, Covering, Cut, Cutting, Destroyed, Driving, Encompassed, Fall, Felled, Field, Fighting-men, Filled, Fountain, Fountains, Hareseth, Howbeit, However, Kir, Kirharaseth, Kir-haraseth, Kirhara-seth, Kirhareseth, Kir-hareseth, Kir-har'eseth, Moab, Moabites, Overthrew, Piece, Portion, Pulling, Raining, Round, Slingers, Slings, Smite, Smote, Spring, Springs, Stone, Stones, Stop, Stopped, Stopping, Struck, Surrounded, Thereof, Threw, Thus, Till, Town, Towns, Tree, Trees, Wall, Water-springs, WellsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:25 5538 sling 2 Kings 3:16-25 1416 miracles, nature of 2 Kings 3:21-27 5214 attack 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 3:25 NIV2 Kings 3:25 NLT2 Kings 3:25 ESV2 Kings 3:25 NASB2 Kings 3:25 KJV
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