1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
2 And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.
3 Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
4 And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.
5 But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
6 And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel.
7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
8 And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.
9 So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.
10 And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!
11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
13 And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.
14 And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
17 For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
18 And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.
19 And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.
20 And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood in the border.
22 And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:
23 And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
24 And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.
25 And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.
27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.
The book of 2 Kings is the eleventh book in the Old Testament of the KJV Holy Bible. It is a continuation of the history of the Israelite nation, focusing on the kings of Israel and Judah after the division of the kingdom. Chapter 3 of 2 Kings is a pivotal chapter in the book, as it marks the beginning of the reign of Jehoram as king of Israel and the continuation of the story of Elisha, the prophet of God.
1. The Reign of Jehoram as King of Israel
In the first two verses of chapter 3, we are introduced to Jehoram, the son of Ahab, who became king of Israel after the death of his brother Ahaziah. Jehoram's reign was marked by wickedness, as he continued the idolatrous practices of his father and the kings before him. He even went as far as killing his own brothers to secure his throne. This theme of wickedness and disobedience to God's commandments is a recurring theme throughout the book of 2 Kings, and it serves as a warning to the readers to stay faithful to God.
2. The Role of Elisha as the Prophet of God
Elisha was the successor of the prophet Elijah, and he played a crucial role in the kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jehoram. In chapter 2, we see Elisha performing miracles and acts of God's power, such as parting the Jordan River and healing the water in Jericho. In chapter 3, we see Elisha's importance as a prophet, as Jehoram seeks his help in the war against Moab. Elisha's faithfulness to God and his close relationship with Him is evident in his actions and words, and he serves as a model for all believers to follow.
3. The War between Israel and Moab
The war between Israel and Moab is the main event in chapter 3. After the death of Ahab, the king of Moab refused to pay tribute to Israel, which led to a war between the two nations. The king of Israel, Jehoram, sought the help of the king of Judah and the king of Edom to defeat Moab. However, after seven days of marching in the wilderness, the armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom ran out of water and were on the brink of defeat. This is when Jehoram turned to Elisha for help, and through the prophet's intervention, the armies of Israel were able to defeat Moab and claim victory in the war.
4. God's Faithfulness to His Promises
Throughout chapter 3, we see God's faithfulness to His promises and His people. Despite the wickedness of the kings of Israel, God still intervened and helped them in their time of need. He used Elisha, His prophet, to perform miracles and guide the armies to victory. This shows that even in the midst of chaos and disobedience, God remains faithful to those who seek Him and call upon His name.
Chapter 3 of 2 Kings holds several important lessons and messages for believers. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of staying faithful to God. The reign of Jehoram is a cautionary tale of the dangers of idolatry and the negative impact it can have on a nation. Elisha's role as a prophet and his close relationship with God is an example for believers to follow, as it shows the importance of faith and obedience in God's plan.
The war between Israel and Moab also holds a deeper meaning. The defeat of Moab is a symbol of God's victory over His enemies and the triumph of His people. It reminds us that with God on our side, we can overcome any obstacle or enemy. It also shows the importance of seeking God's guidance and intervention in times of trouble, as He is always faithful to help His people.
Furthermore, chapter 3 also highlights the importance of remembering God's promises and His faithfulness. Despite the disobedience of the kings of Israel, God remained true to His promises and helped them in their time of need. This serves as a reminder that no matter how far we may stray from God, He is always there to guide us back to Him and fulfill His promises in our lives.
In conclusion, chapter 3 of 2 Kings is a significant chapter in the book, as it sets the stage for the rest of the story. It showcases the consequences of disobedience, the importance of faith and obedience, and the faithfulness of God to His promises. It serves as a reminder to believers to stay faithful to God and seek His guidance and intervention in all aspects of life.
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