2 Kings 3

2 Kings 3

v. 1-3
Joram, though not as evil Ahab (who had allowed Baal worship), was still evil (as were all those leading the northern kingdom prior to its fall in 722bc). He got rid of Baal worship, but continued in the mold of Jeroboam (the 1st Northern King).

v. 4-12

Character 1- Mesha, King of Moab (though, not really a King since Moab was subjected). Most accurately, he seems to have been the leader (wealthiest) of the Moabites and initiator of this rebellion. He timed this rebellion well, at the transition from 1 king to the next. For Ahab, despite (or perhaps b/c of) his wickedness, had been a powerful king.

Character 2- Joram, King of Israel (organized an allied force of Israel, Judah & Edom). He seems to have submitted to Jehoshaphat's leadership (he being the most tenured and wisest). Shows his lack of faith (v. 10), or perhaps his sense of guilt, believing that God has defeat in store for them.

Character 3- Jehoshaphat, King of Judah (Wise and righteous). He picks a desert route in order to 1) pick up a 3rd ally (Edom) along the way and 2) surprise the Moabites at their most vulnerable location. Turns to the Lord (v. 11) for guidance in response to the lack of water.

Character 4- Elisha, Prophet of God. Elisha first shows his rejection of the wicked King Joram, but agrees to serve them because of the righteousness of Jehoshaphat. Seems to utilize music (a harpist) to put him in the right spirit to hear from God. He gives them both a command to dig ditches and a promise that those ditches will be filled with water, despite no storm. Finally, he predicts victory for the tri-alliance.

RESULT
The prophecy proved true. The alliance dug ditches which were filled with water from the heights of Edom. What's more, the Moabites, in the morning sun, mistook the water for blood and speculated civil war. Thinking that they would easily defeat an already defeated army, they came to the camp of the allied forces. Unfortunately for the Moabites, the allies were more than ready to slaughter their enemies and did so, chasing them back to Kir Hareseth.

There is some debate as to how the war ended. A son was sacrificed, but there are mixed opinions as to whose son. Some say it was the son of the King of Moab and that this sacrifice caused great sorrow in the hearts of the allies, causing them to retreat. Others say, based on Amos 2:1, that the King of Moab was able to kidnap the son of the Edomite King and sacrificed him causing great sorrow and the retreat of the army.