So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes. So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots.Jehoram, the king of Judah, is depicted here as taking decisive military action against Edom, a neighboring nation that had been under Judah's control. The crossing to Zair indicates a strategic move, likely intended to suppress a rebellion. Zair's exact location is uncertain, but it is thought to be in the region of Edom, south of the Dead Sea. The use of "all his chariots" suggests a significant military force, highlighting the seriousness of the threat posed by Edom's revolt. Chariots were a symbol of military strength and technological advancement in ancient warfare, often used for their speed and power in battle. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders,
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had a long history of conflict with Israel and Judah. Their ability to surround Jehoram and his commanders indicates a well-coordinated and effective military strategy. This situation reflects the ongoing tension and hostilities between the two nations, which can be traced back to the sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau. The surrounding of Jehoram's forces suggests a moment of vulnerability and potential defeat for Judah. he rose up and attacked by night.
Jehoram's decision to attack by night demonstrates tactical acumen and a willingness to take risks. Night attacks were less common due to the difficulties of coordination and communication in the dark, but they could provide the element of surprise. This action shows Jehoram's determination to overcome the encirclement and turn the tide of battle. The use of night as a cover for military maneuvers is a recurring theme in biblical warfare, emphasizing the importance of strategy and divine intervention in achieving victory. His troops, however, fled to their homes.
Despite Jehoram's bold night attack, his troops ultimately fled, indicating a lack of morale or confidence in their leadership. This retreat suggests internal issues within the army or a recognition of the overwhelming strength of the Edomites. The phrase "fled to their homes" implies a disorganized and hasty retreat, which would have been seen as a disgrace in the context of ancient warfare. This outcome highlights the challenges faced by Jehoram's reign and foreshadows the continued decline of Judah's power during this period. The failure of Jehoram's campaign against Edom can be seen as part of the broader narrative of Judah's struggles with faithfulness to God and the consequences of turning away from divine guidance. Persons / Places / Events 1. Joram (Jehoram)King of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat. His reign is marked by idolatry and political instability. 2. ZairA location mentioned in the context of Joram's military campaign against Edom. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is significant as the site of the battle. 3. EdomitesDescendants of Esau, often in conflict with Israel and Judah. They had been subjugated by David but rebelled during Joram's reign. 4. Chariot CommandersMilitary leaders under Joram, involved in the battle against the Edomites. 5. The Army's FlightThe retreat of Joram's forces signifies a failed military campaign and highlights the instability of his reign. Teaching Points The Consequences of IdolatryJoram's failure is a direct result of his departure from God's ways. Idolatry leads to instability and defeat. The Importance of Godly LeadershipJoram's reign contrasts with his father Jehoshaphat's, showing the impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual and political health. Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite human efforts and strategies, ultimate victory comes from God. Believers should rely on Him rather than their own strength. The Legacy of SinThe conflict with Edom is a reminder of the long-lasting consequences of sin and disobedience, tracing back to Jacob and Esau. Repentance and RestorationThe account encourages believers to turn back to God, seeking His guidance and strength in times of trouble. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joram's approach to leadership differ from that of his father, Jehoshaphat, and what can we learn from this contrast? 2. In what ways does the conflict with Edom reflect the broader theme of sin's consequences in the Bible? 3. How can we apply the lesson of trusting in God's sovereignty in our personal battles and challenges today? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that might lead us away from God's path, and how can we guard against them? 5. How does the account of Joram and the Edomites encourage us to seek repentance and restoration in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 21Provides a parallel account of Joram's reign, including his idolatry and the consequences of his actions, such as the rebellion of Edom. Genesis 27The origin of the conflict between Israel and Edom can be traced back to Jacob and Esau, whose descendants continued their rivalry. Psalm 60A psalm attributed to David, reflecting on God's help in battles against Edom, contrasting with Joram's failure. Obadiah 1A prophecy against Edom, highlighting the ongoing tension and eventual judgment against them. Proverbs 21:31Emphasizes that victory in battle is ultimately determined by the Lord, not by human strength or strategy. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, SyriansPlaces Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, ZairTopics Army, Attack, Broke, Captains, Chariot, Chariots, Commanders, Compassed, Crossed, Edom, Edomites, E'domites, Encompassed, Fled, Fleeth, Flight, Forces, Heads, Home, However, Joram, Passed, Passeth, Risen, Rose, Round, Smiteth, Smote, Struck, Surrounded, Tents, War-carriages, Zair, Za'irDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:21 5252 chariots 2 Kings 8:16-22 7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 8:16-29 5366 king Library The Story of Hazael
'So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10. And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 12. And Hazael said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHazael
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"--2 KINGS viii. 13. Hazael was the chief minister and prime favourite of Benhadad, the Syrian king. He had been raised from a humble lot and promoted to that high post by the partiality of his sovereign, who had doubtless discerned his exceptional abilities, and certainly placed implicit trust in him. Just now the king was dangerously ill, and Hazael had been sent to inquire of the prophet of Israel …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known 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 The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion 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 Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity 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 8:21 NIV2 Kings 8:21 NLT2 Kings 8:21 ESV2 Kings 8:21 NASB2 Kings 8:21 KJV
2 Kings 8:21 Commentaries
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