2 Kings 3:1-27
3:1-3 Jehoram, son of Ahab becomes king over Israel. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, is in his eighteenth year of kingship. Jehoram reigns for twelve years and though his reign is not as corrupt as his parents', he is still an unrighteous man and leader.
3:4-5 While Moab was a territory of Israel, he routinely paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and wool of rams. But after Ahab died, Moab declared its independence by rebelling against Israel, 2 Kings 1:1.
3:7-8 King Jehoram leaves Samaria after mustering Israel against Moab. Jehoram asks Jehoshaphat to join Judah with Israel in fighting against Moab. From 2 Chronicles 18:1 we know that Jehoshaphat was allied with Judah through marriage (his son married a woman from the tribes of Israel). This alliance would make it more likely for Jehoshaphat to agree. Jehoshaphat does agree and asks which way their armies should travel.
3:9-10 The armies travel for seven days toward Moab but the journey proves difficult: there is neither food nor water. Jehoram begins to feel as though he and his companions (King of Edom, and King of Israel) are being thwarted by God.
3:11 Facing adversity, Jehoshaphat wonders if there is a prophet of God with them. Jehoshaphat consults God's will through prophets. Jehoram is not a faithful man and neither was his father, but Jehoshaphat also requested a prophet's divinely-given advice when allying with Ahab in 1 Kings 22:7.
Like Jehoshaphat, whose every movement depended on God (2 Chronicles 20:12) we should consult God on the circumstances which occur in our own lives. God is present with us in every moment but we do not necessarily utilize the benefit of the presence as often as we are able. Jehoshaphat frequently requests God's assistance when at a figurative crossroad but we can reach out to Him at each moment of our journey.
3:12 Elisha is known for being the protégé of the well known and respected prophet, Elijah. Jehoshaphat is therefore confident in Elisha's ability to provide God's perspective on their quandary.
3:13 The three kings approach Elisha: Israel, Judah and Edom. Immediately, Elisha dismisses Jehoram; the prophet tells him to go consult his own false prophets. As Jehoram has been faithful only to false gods, it is hypocritical of him to approach a prophet of God. But Jehoram dismisses the rebuke and remains.
What have I to do with you? We never want these words spoken by Elisha to Jehoram to be spoken to us by God. Jehoram certainly has nothing to do with Elisha. Corruption does not receive the benefit of God's assistance.
3:14 Elisha makes it clear that the only reason he will deign to speak to Jehoram is because the king of Judah is present. Jehoshaphat's faithfulness affords the three kings the presence of God's prophet and consultation.
3:15 The prophet requests a musician: and as the musician plays, Elisha receives God's divine word. Interestingly, the music creates an atmosphere for Elisha to perceive spiritually. King David found similar connection with God through musical worship: 2 Samuel 6:14.
3:16-17 Elisha relays God's message: He would provide an ample supply of water without the weather conditions that would normally bring such quantities.
3:18-19 God also offers his victorious assistance in helping to overcome Moab. If God sanctions such a thorough attack against Moab, and we read here that He does, He find their lifestyle to be one of corruption.
3:20 In the morning after the people have made a grain offering, water fills he land. God instructed the armies to dig ditches, as fellow workers, God and His serving children would provide a way for the army and livestock to drink.
God offers a partnership. An intimate relationship by which the world can be impacted by righteousness and changed. As His children, we have the blessed opportunity to be and provide vessels through which He blessings may flow.
3:21-23 The Moabites learn of the imminent attack and gather at their borders. When the sun rises and gives an allusion of bood on the landscape (really this was the sun rising on the water provided by God), the Moabites assume that the three kings have betrayed each other and forgotten about Moab. The Moabites decide charge after Israel, Judah and Edom, hoping to pillage from their remains.
3:24 God delivers the victory in that the three king's prey walks right into their den. Moab is defeated before Israel, Judah and Edom even reach their borders.
3:25 The Moabite cities are destroyed.
3:26-27 The king of Moab desperately offers his eldest son as a sacrifice to his false gods. God never required Abraham to sacrifice his son but this follower of a false god apparently felt that his god did. Israel departed from Moab despite God's instruction to thoroughly defeat Moab.
