The Moabites were a people descended from Moab, the son of Lot and his elder daughter, as recorded in Genesis 19:37. They inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea, in what is modern-day Jordan. Throughout biblical history, the Moabites had a complex and often adversarial relationship with the Israelites.

The revolt of the Moabites from Israelite control is a significant event that occurred after the death of King Ahab of Israel. Ahab, the son of Omri, was a powerful king who expanded Israel's influence and maintained control over Moab. However, his death marked a turning point in the political landscape of the region.

The biblical account of the Moabite revolt is found in 2 Kings 1:1 and 2 Kings 3:4-5. The Berean Standard Bible states: "After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel" (2 Kings 1:1). This rebellion was led by Mesha, the king of Moab, who had been a vassal under Ahab's rule. Mesha is known for the Mesha Stele, an ancient inscription that provides additional historical context to this period.

2 Kings 3:4-5 further elaborates on the situation: "Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he used to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. But after the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel." This passage highlights the economic burden placed on Moab by Israel, which likely contributed to the desire for independence.

The revolt led to a military campaign by Ahab's successor, King Jehoram of Israel, who allied with Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom to subdue Moab. The campaign is detailed in 2 Kings 3:6-27, where the coalition initially achieved success but ultimately failed to completely subdue the Moabites due to a strategic retreat by Mesha and a controversial act of human sacrifice that demoralized the Israelite forces.

The Moabite revolt is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel and its neighboring nations, illustrating the shifting power dynamics and the challenges faced by the Israelite monarchy in maintaining control over its vassal states. The event also underscores the Moabites' resilience and desire for autonomy, which would continue to shape their interactions with Israel in subsequent generations.2 Kings 1:1
Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 3:5
But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Nations of the South-East
... It had been better for the Moabites, however, had David ... Now and again they revolted,
to be brought back to obedience, however, when Israel recovered its ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... gods, especially those of the Zidonians, Moabites and Ahijah ... this foolish threat,
the ten tribes revolted and enthroned ... After this Israel disappears from history ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... by right of conquest ever since the death of Ammibaal ... After a brief halt there in
camp, he turned his back ... of Hamath and masters of half Israel, were powerful ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... as they were, the chiefs' pride revolted at the ... from the East, sheikhs of the Midianites,
Moabites, and Ammonites ... And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... him obedience; on the other hand, Elam revolted from its ... children of Ishmael and
Edom, the Moabites and Ammonites ... tradition in the kingdom of Israel, the latter ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of the aged Isaiah, he put him to death by shutting ... For a long time after this no
instance can be found ... the task of rewriting the history of Israel, which, as ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

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