2 Kings 3
Meaning of 2 Kings 3
2 Kings 3 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible which depicts the reign of Jehoram, the son of King Ahab, over Israel. Jehoram is described as evil, though not as evil as his parents.
The chapter also tells the story of a war against the Moabites. Jehoram, the king of Israel, allies with Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom to battle against Moab. Before the battle, the three kings find themselves and their armies in the desert without water. They seek the advice of the prophet Elisha who tells them to dig trenches in the dry land. Miraculously, the next morning the trenches are filled with water without any rain or wind, which not only provides water for the armies and animals but also tricks the Moabites into thinking they’re attacking a defeated army. Misinterpreting the water as the blood of the three kings’ slaughtered armies, the Moabites rush into a surprise attack and are severely defeated.
However, the king of Moab, in a desperate attempt, sacrifices his eldest son causing a great “wrath” over Israel and forcing them to withdraw. Many interpret this as a divine judgement against Israel. The chapter doesn’t provide a clear indication if this is a win or loss for Israel, but it explores the adverse effects of disobedience to God.
2 Kings 3 kjv
“2 Kings 3” in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is a chapter that covers a period of conflict in the history of ancient Israel and its surrounding nations. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the chapter:
1. (Verses 1-3) The chapter starts by introducing Joram, the son of King Ahab, who became the king of Israel. Unlike his father Ahab, who did evil in the eyes of the Lord, Joram removed the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made. However, he still clung onto the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin.
2. (Verses 4-9) The King of Moab, Mesha, decided to rebel against Israel after the death of Ahab. Joram decided to fight against this rebellion and asked Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom to join him. They journeyed for seven days but ran out of water for themselves and their animals.
3. (Verses 10-20) King Joram feared that God called the three kings together to deliver them into the hands of Moab. However, Elisha, the prophet, prophesied that God would provide water and deliver Moab into their hands. The next morning, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and the land was filled with water, as Elisha had predicted.
4. (Verses 21-27) The Moabites, fooled by the sun’s reflection on the water, thought the kings had fought and the water was blood. Thinking they could easily defeat them now, they advanced, but were instead defeated by the Israelites. King Mesha then sacrificed his firstborn son, causing a great wrath against Israel. This led the Israelites to withdraw and return to their own land.
In summary, the chapter recounts the reign of King Joram, the rebellion of the King of Moab, the prophetic intervention of Elisha, and the defeat of Moab by the combined forces of Israel, Judah, and Edom. The harsh ending of the chapter illustrates the desperate and extreme acts that can occur during warfare.
2 Kings 3 nkjv
The second book of Kings chapter 3 in the New King James Version (NKJV) covers a broad narrative about the Moabite rebellion and the miraculous supply of water during the reign of King Jehoram, son of Ahab.
The chapter starts with an introduction of Jehoram, who becomes king of Israel after his brother Ahaziah’s death. Although Jehoram abandons the idolatrous practices that his parents Ahab and Jezebel instituted, he continues in the sins of Jeroboam, perpetuating the golden calf worship (verses 1-3).
The narrative shifts to talk about Mesha, king of Moab. The land of Moab, a sheep-raising country, used to pay a high tribute to the king of Israel – a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. But after Ahab’s death, Mesha decides to rebel against Israel’s rule (verses 4-5).
King Jehoram of Israel decides to put down the rebellion and invites Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and the king of Edom to join him in the war against Moab. They decide to take a roundabout route through the desert of Edom. Unfortunately, after a week’s journey, the army runs out of water for the troops and the animals, which puts them in danger of both dehydration and Moabite attacks (verses 6-10).
Jehoshaphat suggests seeking the counsel of a prophet of God, so they find Elisha, a successor of Elijah. Elisha offers direction from God, stating that the valleys in the area will be filled with water and they will defeat the Moabites (verses 11-19). The next morning, water suddenly flows from Edom and fills the valleys as Elisha had predicted. Moreover, by the light of the rising sun, the Moabites misinterpret the waters for blood and presumptuously march into the Israelite camp, expecting easy victory, only to be routed and pursued back into their territory (verses 20-27).
The chapter ends with the King of Moab sacrificing his eldest son on the city wall in an act of desperation. This act apparently brought “great indignation against Israel,” and they withdrew and returned to their own land. The story seems to suggest that the sacrifice has the desired effect, although the exact nature of the “indignation” is not spelled out (verse 27).
2 Kings 3 niv
2 Kings Chapter 3 in the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible focuses on the story of three kings – Jehoram (king of Israel), Jehoshaphat (king of Judah), and the king of Edom. These three kings came together to wage war against the king of Moab, who had rebelled against Israel.
Jehoram is unhappily portrayed in this chapter. Although he got rid of the sacred stone of Baal that his father Ahab had made, he held onto the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them.
The joint military expedition began when the king of Moab, previously a sheep breeder, refused to pay tribute to Israel after the death of Ahab. The three kings, after a seven-day march, ran out of water for themselves and for their animals.
Jehoshaphat suggested they inquire of the Lord for help. They met the prophet Elisha, who initially resisted aiding them, but eventually agreed to help due to his respect for Jehoshaphat.
Elisha delivered a prophecy from God: the kings were to dig ditches to collect water. Though they would see neither wind nor rain, the ditches would be filled with water. Moreover, God would deliver Moab into their hands.
As Elisha predicted, water flowed from Edom and filled the land, enabling the armies to be refreshed. The Moabites seeing the water colored by the morning sun, mistook it for blood and assumed the allied kings had fought and slaughtered each other. Overconfident, they moved in to plunder, only to be defeated by the kings.
The defeat was so severe that the king of Moab, in desperation, sacrificed his eldest son as a burnt offering on the city wall, leading to great wrath against Israel and they withdrew and returned to their own country.
What is 2 Kings 3 all about?
2 Kings 3 narrates a historical event in Old Testament times about the three kings – Jehoram king of Israel, Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and the king of Edom – coming together to wage war against the king of Moab.
At the beginning of the chapter, we learn about Jehoram who is the new king of Israel. He was comparatively better than his parents Ahab and Jezebel but still engaged in evil practices according to the bible.
The king of Moab, who had been a subject to the king of Israel, revolted when Ahab died. Jehoram decided to fight against the rebellion and asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah and the king of Edom to join his campaign.
The alliance ventured on a roundabout march of seven days and they ran out of water for the army and the animals. The kings were in despair and they sought the counsel of Elisha, a prophet. Elisha prophesied that they would see neither wind nor rain, but the valleys would be filled with water. He also prophesied that they would conquer Moab.
As Elisha predicted, the next morning, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land. The Moabites were deceived by the reflection of the sun against the water, mistook it for blood and assumed the allied kings had slaughtered each other. When they went to take the spoil, they were attacked and defeated. The king of Moab, seeing defeat was inevitable, attempted to break through the king of Edom but failed. In desperation, he sacrificed his first-born son, and a great wrath against Israel occurred leading them to withdraw and return to their own land.
What does 2 Kings 3 teaches?
2 Kings 3 is part of the Old Testament in the Bible. This chapter tells the story of the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom coming together to fight against the king of Moab who had rebelled against the king of Israel. The chapter reveals several key teachings or lessons:
1. Dependence on God’s Guidance: The kings find themselves in the desert without water for their armies and animals. In desperation, they ask Elisha, God’s prophet, for help. Elisha points them to God for help. This illustrates the need for people to rely on God’s guidance in difficult times.
2. Obedience to God’s Instructions: Elisha gives a prophetic message from God, instructing the kings to dig ditches in the valley which would be filled with water the next day. Even though it seemed illogical, they obeyed and the prophecy came true. This teaches the importance of obeying God’s instructions, even when they may not make sense to us.
3. God’s Power and Sovereignty: God not only provides water for the kings and their armies but also delivers the Moabites into their hands, demonstrating His power and sovereignty.
4. Negative Consequences of Disobedience: The king of Moab, in desperate defiance, sacrifices his son, hoping to gain favor from the gods. Instead, the act triggers outrage and the Israelites withdraw, causing the war effort to end abruptly. The event underlines the negative consequences that can result from extreme measures that deviate from God’s ways.
So, the overall teaching of 2 Kings 3 emphasizes reliance on God, obedience to His word, the recognition of His power and sovereignty, and the negative consequences of disobedience.
A Sermon on 2 Kings 3
A sermon on 2 Kings 3 would focus on the highlights of the chapter, interpreting and discussing the events from a religious and theological perspective. Though each sermon may differ based on the preacher’s interpretation, generally here’s an explanation of the lessons one might interpret from a sermon on 2 Kings 3:
2 Kings 3 tells the story of Jehoram, the king of Israel, who was in a joint military venture with Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom to fight against the Moabites who had rebelled against Israel. However, they faced a serious problem – there was no water for their army or for their animals in the wilderness of Edom. Jehoram was worried, but Jehoshaphat suggested calling upon a prophet of the Lord, Elisha, for counsel. When Elisha was summoned, he prophesied by the Lord saying “You shall not see wind, neither shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water…” (2 Kings 3:17).
The next day, true to Elisha’s prophecy, water suddenly came flooding in from Edom, filling the land. When the Moabites saw the water, it looked like blood to them. They misinterpreted this as a sign that the kings must have fought and killed each other. Lured by their own misinterpretation, they advanced towards the Israelite camp only to be defeated by the Israelite army.
This chapter can be interpreted in a sermon in various ways, including:
1. Dependence on God: Even in hopeless situations, like the water crisis the allied kings faced, with faith and dependence on God miracles can happen. Just as water came from Edom, God can provide ways out of our own wilderness experiences.
2. The Power of Prophecy: Elisha’s prediction was a sign of the prophetic power at work and God’s control over the natural elements. For believers, this stands as an assurance that God can intervene in both human and natural affairs.
3. Misinterpretation and consequences: The Moabites’ misinterpretation led to their defeat. This can serve as a reminder to always seek divine guidance and wisdom in interpretation to not make misguided decisions.
4. God’s Deliverance: This chapter also reinforces the theme of God’s deliverance. The Israelites were delivered from their enemies (Moabites) and also from thirst. Similarly, God can and will deliver those who trust him.
Remember, interpretation may vary depending on the preacher’s perspective and the lesson they want to draw from the chapter.
Key people in 2 Kings 3
2 Kings 3 of the Bible involves a few key people:
1. Jehoram: Jehoram, also known as Joram, is the king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel at this time. He is the son of Ahab and Jezebel. Although Jehoram discontinues his father’s worship of Baal, he continues in the sinful ways of Jeroboam.
2. Jehoshaphat: Jehoshaphat is the king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He is a godly king who seeks the Lord’s counsel.
3. The king of Moab: After the death of King Ahab, the king of Moab rebels against Israel’s suzerainty. The text does not name this king of Moab – the Moabite Stone says his name is Mesha.
4. The prophet Elisha: Elisha is the spiritual successor to Elijah. Jehoram and Jehoshaphat seek his counsel when their armies are thrown into a crisis. Elisha predicts that water will appear and that the Moabites will be delivered into their hands, which comes to pass.
5. The king of Edom: This king is an ally of Jehoram and Jehoshaphat against Moab. However, the text does not provide he details about him beyond this alliance.
6. The Unnamed Moabite soldier: In a desperate move to turn the tide of the battle, the king of Moab sacrifices his own son, firing up his troops’ morale that led to Israel raising the siege and returning home.
Real world examples on 2 Kings 3
2 Kings 3 recounts an event in biblical history where the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom come together to fight against the king of Moab who had rebelled against Israel.
1. Unity in Diversity: The first real-world application that can be drawn from this chapter is the cooperation between the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom, despite their differing backgrounds and past conflicts. In the real world, this kind of cooperation is often necessary especially in times of crisis or against a common enemy. Just like in international relations, countries with different cultures and political ideologies often form alliances to combat common foes.
2. The Consequence of Disobedience: The Moab king’s revolt against Israel leading to war is another lesson. In the real world, disobedience or non-adherence to established laws, treaties, or agreements often leads to conflicts, be it in a community, corporate setting, or between countries.
3. Importance of Heeding Wise Counsel: In this chapter, the three kings sought the counsel of the prophet Elisha, despite their initial apprehensions. Elisha promises them victory which comes to pass. This mirrors real-life situations where the advice of experts or experienced people is crucial for success.
4. Consequences of Extreme Actions: The king of Moab, in desperation, sacrifices his son, causing great wrath upon Israel which results in them withdrawing and the king maintaining his territory. It could symbolize real world scenarios where desperate measures can have unexpected or unintended consequences.
These interpretations, however, should not be taken as direct or precise parallels. The main purpose of these narratives is to convey spiritual teachings, rather than serving as a blueprint for modern-day conduct.
Brief Explanation of 2 Kings 3
2 Kings Chapter 3 tells the story of the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom uniting to wage a war against the Moabites. The chapter begins by introducing Jehoram, the new king of Israel, who is shown to be less wicked than his parents, but still not righteous in the eyes of God. After the King of Moab rebels against Israel, Jehoram seeks to partner with Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, to defeat the Moabites. Joined by Edom’s king, the three kings find themselves in the wilderness without water for their armies and animals. In their desperation, they seek the counsel of the prophet Elisha. Through Elisha, God advises them to dig ditches throughout the valley to fill with water, which indeed miraculously happens. Not only does God provides them with water, but He also delivers the Moabites into their hands. The Moab King, seeing the defeat imminent, sacrifices his own son causing great wrath to come upon Israel which forces them to withdraw. However, the chapter ends with the realization that the prophecy given to Elisha was fulfilled.
Frequently asked questions for 2 Kings 3
1. Who are the main characters in 2 Kings 3?
The main characters in 2 Kings 3 are King Joram of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the King of Moab.
2. Why did King Joram go to war with the King of Moab?
King Joram went to war with the King of Moab because Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of King Ahab. The King of Moab refused to continue paying the tribute to Israel, which they had been paying from the times of Ahab.
3. What is the significance of Elisha in 2 Kings 3?
Elisha was a prophet of God who provided guidance and prophetic messages throughout the chapter. His existence in the narrative validated Joram’s decision to go to war and reassured the kings that God was with them. His prophecies came to pass.
4. Why did God provide water in the desert for the armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom?
According to the words of Prophet Elisha, it was to prove that He was the true God and wished to provide for His people and their allies. The fact that they woke up and found water was a miracle, showing God’s hand in their conquest.
5. Why didn’t God’s judgment against Moab complete as Elisha said?
Elisha said that the Moabites would be handed over to them. However, the King of Moab sacrificed his son on the city wall in desperation, stirring great wrath among his troops. Fearing this backlash, the Israelites withdrew, leaving Moab undestroyed.
6. Who was the King of Edom?
The Bible does not mention the specific name of the King of Edom at this time.
7. Who was Jehoshaphat?
Jehoshaphat was the King of Judah who allied with Joram in the war against Moab. He is known for his piety and adherence to God’s direction.
8. Why did the King of Moab sacrifice his son?
The King of Moab sacrificed his eldest son, who would have been his successor, as a last-ditch attempt to win the favor of his god Chemosh, in their fight against the Israelites. The sacrifice caused a great wrath against Israel, forcing the Israelites to retreat.
9. What is the significance of the water appearing like blood in 2 Kings 3?
From a distance, the water appeared like blood to the Moabites, which gave them false confidence that the Kings had fought among themselves and killed each other. This led to their surprise attack, fulfilling the prophecy of Elisha.
10. Why did the kings take a roundabout way to attack Moab?
To take the Moabites by surprise, the kings didn’t take the direct route but went around the desert way. This took seven days, but it allowed them to catch Moab off guard.
Possible References for 2 Kings 3
In the Bible, 2 Kings 3 refers to the third chapter in the second book of Kings in the Old Testament. This chapter narrates the stories of several rulers and events during the period of Israel’s Monarchy. Here are the main events discussed:
1. King Jehoram’s reign over Israel (2 Kings 3:1-3): The chapter starts off by introducing Jehoram as the king of Israel and explaining his rule. He was the son of King Ahab and he ruled in Samaria for twelve years. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father and mother, as he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made.
2. Moab Rebellion (2 Kings 3:4-5): The story shifts to discuss Mesha, king of Moab, who rebels against the king of Israel after the death of Ahab.
3. Battle Against Moab (2 Kings 3:6-27): The significant part of the chapter tells the story of a military campaign against Moab by Jehoram, joined by Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and the unnamed king of Edom. They found themselves in a desert without water for their army and animals. Jehoshaphat suggested finding a prophet of God to seek His counsel, and they found Elisha. Upon Elisha’s prayer, God provided water and gave them a victory over Moab. However, seeing the battle was lost, the king of Moab attempted a horrific act of sacrificing his own son, leading to great wrath against Israel and causing them to withdraw.
These are the general references for 2 Kings 3 and they discuss the histories of Israel’s and Judah’s monarchs, providing theological and moral interpretations of their reigns.
Conclusion on 2 Kings 3
2 Kings 3 primarily recounts the story of three kings: Jehoram (King of Israel), Jehoshaphat (King of Judah), and the King of Edom who join forces to wage war against the Moabites. Despite facing severe challenges including lack of water, they are eventually successful based on a prophecy given by the prophet Elisha, who predicts that they will not only receive water but defeat the Moabites.
However, the Moabite King sacrifices his son in a desperate attempt to change the course of war which deeply disturbs the Israelites causing them to retreat, allowing Moab to continue to exist as a state. The conclusion of 2 Kings 3 is a dramatic demonstration of the lengths people might go to for victory and the complex nature of the human response to adversity.
From a theological standpoint, the event reiterates the significance of prophetic figures (Elisha here) in the Israelite tradition and their role in guiding the kings’ decisions and actions. Additionally, it paints a picture of the outcomes of faithlessness (the desperation of the Moabite King) versus victorious faith in God (as shown by the Israeli and Judean kings partnering with Elisha).