2 Kings

2 Kings 3:1-3

Jehoram, the son of Ahab, becomes king after Ahaziah was judged by God in 2 Kings 1.  Jehoram would reign 12 years doing evil in the eyes of the Lord similar to his mother and father.  The text does give him credit for putting away the sacred pillar of Baal.  Like the other kings of Israel, he ruled in such a way as to make Israel sin. 

2 Kings 3:4-10

Mesha, king of Moab, had been paying an extremely large tribute to Israel.  One hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams would drive anyone to rebellion.  At the death of Ahab, Mesha saw the opportunity to rebel against Jehoram. 

Jehoram gathered his army and he asked Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join him.  It was in Jehoshaphat's interest to keep Moab in check.  They then joined up with the Edom who was alread conquered by Judah.  The king of Edom was probably appointed by Judah (1 Kings 22:47),

They took this roundabout route at Jehoshaphat's advice.  They find themselves with no water and Jehoram begins to lose faith thinking the Lord brought them all there to die at the hands of Moab.

2 Kings 3:11-19

Jehoram could learn something from Jehoshaphat who feels the need to inquire of the Lord.  The three kings go to Elisha who dismisses Jehoram advising him to go to all his false prophets and seek advice.   Elisha had no words for the king of Edom either.  It was only by Jehoshaphat that God would speak to Elisha a prophccy. 

Elisha asked for music and began to prophesy.  It's interesting that music was used in this way.   We see this anonymous person or persons ministering in music and the Spirit of God moving during the music.  God called for them to dig ditches.  It probably made no sense to them.  There would be water is coming and that Moab would be delivered into their hands.  But the water would do no good if they didn't catch it in ditches.  Digging the ditches was an act of faith.  More ditches meant more blessing of water.  If they desired to wait for rain or some other sign of water, they would miss out. 

2 Kings 3:20-27

What probably appeared to be a flash flood came upon the land.  It would have been gone as fast as it came had there been no ditches.  In addition to the blessing of the water, it gave the Moabites a false understanding that it was blood shed among the three kings.  They attacked only to be surprised by Israel.  These armies over ran the Moabites.

When the Moab king is on the run, he sacrificed his oldest son to Chemosh, their idol god.  This must have inspired the Moabites to war with greater intensity resulting in more bloodshed against Israel.  Or, the human sacrifice just apalled Israel.  Either way, the they went home without finishing the job. 

©2016 Doug Ford