So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals. So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set outThis phrase highlights the alliance between three kings: Jehoram of Israel, Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the unnamed king of Edom. This coalition was formed to combat the rebellion of Moab against Israel. The alliance is significant as it shows a rare moment of cooperation between Israel and Judah, despite their divided kingdoms. The inclusion of Edom, a vassal state under Judah's influence, underscores the strategic importance of regional alliances in ancient Near Eastern politics. This cooperation can be seen as a temporary unification against a common enemy, reflecting the complex political landscape of the time. and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days
The "roundabout route" suggests a strategic or possibly misguided path taken by the coalition. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or divine intervention in the Bible, which may imply that their journey was under divine scrutiny or had a predetermined outcome. The geographical context indicates that the armies were likely traveling through the arid regions south of the Dead Sea, which would have been challenging terrain. This detour could have been an attempt to surprise the Moabites or avoid direct confrontation until they were better prepared. they had no water for their army or for their animals
The lack of water is a critical logistical failure, highlighting the harsh realities of desert warfare and the dependence on natural resources. In the ancient Near East, water was a precious commodity, essential for survival and military success. This predicament sets the stage for divine intervention, as seen later in the chapter, where Elisha prophesies the provision of water. The situation also serves as a test of faith and leadership for the kings involved, particularly Jehoshaphat, who seeks the counsel of the Lord. This mirrors other biblical narratives where God provides for His people in times of need, such as the provision of manna and water in the wilderness during the Exodus. Persons / Places / Events 1. King of Israel (Jehoram)The son of Ahab, Jehoram was the king of Israel during this time. He was known for continuing the idolatrous practices of his father, though he did remove the sacred stone of Baal. 2. King of Judah (Jehoshaphat)A godly king who sought the Lord, Jehoshaphat was known for his reforms and efforts to bring the people back to the worship of Yahweh. 3. King of EdomAlthough not named in this passage, the king of Edom was a vassal under the king of Judah and joined the coalition against Moab. 4. The MarchThe armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom embarked on a seven-day journey through the desert, which led to a crisis due to the lack of water. 5. The DesertThe harsh environment of the desert symbolizes the challenges and trials faced by the coalition, highlighting their dependence on God for provision. Teaching Points Dependence on GodJust as the armies were in desperate need of water, we must recognize our dependence on God for both physical and spiritual sustenance. Seeking God in CrisisIn times of crisis, like the lack of water, turning to God should be our first response. Jehoshaphat's presence reminds us of the importance of seeking godly counsel and guidance. Unity in PurposeThe coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom shows the power of unity in facing common challenges. As believers, we are called to work together in unity for God's purposes. God's ProvisionThe account reminds us that God is aware of our needs and is able to provide in miraculous ways, even when the situation seems dire. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the coalition of the three kings reflect the importance of unity among believers today? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we seek God first in times of crisis, as Jehoshaphat did? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a seemingly impossible situation. How did it strengthen your faith? 4. How can the physical thirst of the armies in the desert help us understand our spiritual thirst for God? 5. What steps can we take to cultivate a deeper dependence on God in our daily lives, especially when facing challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17The Israelites faced a similar situation of lacking water in the desert, which led to God providing water from a rock. This connection emphasizes God's provision in times of need. Psalm 63David's psalm reflects a spiritual thirst for God, paralleling the physical thirst experienced by the armies, and underscores the importance of seeking God in times of desperation. John 4Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman about living water, which provides a spiritual parallel to the physical need for water in this passage, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate source of life. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Animals, Army, Beasts, Camp, Cattle, Circuit, Circuitous, Compass, Edom, Fetched, Followed, Host, Journey, Judah, March, Round, Roundabout, Seven, Themselves, TurnDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:9 4293 water 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 3:9 NIV2 Kings 3:9 NLT2 Kings 3:9 ESV2 Kings 3:9 NASB2 Kings 3:9 KJV
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