2 Kings 3:6 - Meaning and Application

Jehoram had no sooner taken the throne than he took up the sword to subdue Moab. Crowns bring great cares and dangers to the heads that wear them. People are hardly in honor before they are in war.

Here we see the plans for this campaign between Jehoram king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Jehoram raised an army (2 Kings 3:6), and he valued the godly king of Judah enough to ask him to join him: "Will you go with me against Moab?" Jehoshaphat agreed, saying, "I will go up. I am as you are" (2 Kings 3:7). Judah and Israel, though sadly divided, could still unite against Moab, a common enemy. Jehoshaphat did not reproach them for breaking away from David’s line, nor did he make their return to loyalty a condition of the alliance, though he had good reason to do so. He treated Israel as a sister kingdom. Those are not true friends of peace or strength who can never forgive an old wrong and work with people who once broke their rights.

Jehoram also asked Jehoshaphat for advice (2 Kings 3:8). He sought counsel from someone wiser and more experienced than himself about how to attack Moab. Jehoshaphat told them not to march by the shortest way across Jordan, but to go around through the wilderness of Edom, so they could bring the king of Edom and his troops with them. If two are better than one, a threefold cord is not easily broken. Jehoshaphat had nearly paid dearly for joining with Ahab, and this time he joined with Ahab’s son. This campaign also nearly brought him to ruin. There is nothing to be gained by being yoked with unbelievers.

Then the allied army was brought into great trouble. Before they even faced an enemy, they were in danger of dying for lack of water (2 Kings 3:9). They should have thought of that before they marched into the wilderness, the same place, or very near it, where their ancestors had lacked water (Numbers 20:2). God sometimes lets his people, through their own carelessness, bring themselves into trouble, so that his providence, wisdom, power, and goodness may shine in delivering them. Water is one of the most common and ordinary things, yet when it is missing, it quickly humbles and destroys kings and armies.

The king of Israel deeply lamented their distress and the danger of falling into the hands of the Moabites, who would easily defeat them while they were weakened by thirst (2 Kings 3:10). He had called these kings together, yet he blamed Providence and treated it as if God had done them wrong: "The Lord has called them together." So human foolishness ruins a person’s path, and then his heart grows angry against the Lord (Proverbs 19:3).

At this point Jehoshaphat wisely suggested that they ask God for counsel (2 Kings 3:11). Their surroundings would have reminded them of the wonders their fathers had told them about, especially the water brought from the rock for Israel’s relief. That memory likely encouraged Jehoshaphat to ask, "Is there not here a prophet of the Lord?" He was even more concerned because it was by his advice that they had taken this long route through the wilderness. It was good that Jehoshaphat asked for the Lord’s guidance then, but it would have been much better if he had done so earlier, before going to war or choosing this path. Then the trouble might have been avoided. Good people are often careless and slow to do their duty until need and suffering drive them to it.

Elisha was pointed out as the right man to consult (2 Kings 3:11). We may wonder, first, that Elisha was following the camp at all, especially on such a long and tiring march. He came as a volunteer, unasked and unnoticed, and held no place of honor. He was not acting as priest in war (Deuteronomy 20:2) or as head of the war council. He was so hidden that none of the kings knew they had such a treasure in their camp or such a friend among their attendants. We may suppose he was there by special direction from heaven, as the chariot of Israel and its horsemen. God often goes before his people with the blessings of his goodness and provides his word for those who do not seek it for themselves.

Second, it is striking that a servant of the king of Israel knew Elisha was there when the king himself did not. This was likely a servant like Obadiah, Ahab’s God-fearing steward. Elisha made himself known to such a man, not to the kings. The servant described him by saying that he had poured water on Elijah’s hands, meaning he had been Elijah’s servant and especially helped him when he washed. Whoever wants to be great should learn to serve first, and whoever wants to rise high should begin low.

The kings then went down to Elisha’s quarters (2 Kings 3:12). Jehoshaphat had such respect for a prophet who had the word of the Lord that he came in person instead of sending for him. The other two were driven by their distress to seek out the prophet. The one who humbled himself was honored, and he looked important when three kings came to his door asking for help, as in (Revelation 3:9).

Elisha’s response was very direct with the wicked king of Israel (2 Kings 3:13). "What do I have to do with you?" he said. "How can you expect a peaceful answer from me? Go to the prophets of your father and mother, whom you supported in your prosperity, and let them help you in your trouble." Elisha was not fooled, as Jehoshaphat had been, by Jehoram’s partial and false reform. He knew that, though Jehoram had removed the Baal idol, Baal’s prophets were still dear to him, and some of them may even have been in his camp. "Go," in effect, "to the gods you have served" (Judges 10:14). You have let the world and the flesh rule you, so let them help you. Why should God be asked by you?" (Ezekiel 14:3)

Elisha spoke this in holy anger against Jehoram’s wickedness and said he could hardly bear to look at him or even see him (2 Kings 3:14). Jehoram was to be honored as a king, but as a wicked man he was a worthless person and deserved condemnation (Psalm 15:4). Elisha, as a subject, would show him respect. As a prophet, he would make him know his sin. Men with such a special calling were fit, though ordinary people are not, to say to a king, "You are wicked" (Job 34:18).

Jehoram showed enough self-control to take this plain rebuke patiently. He no longer cared to hear from the prophets of Baal, but came humbly to the God of Israel and his prophet. He put the need before the prophet as a very sad case and asked for mercy. In effect, he admitted that he did not deserve help, but he begged that the other kings not be ruined because of him.

Elisha also showed respect to the godly king of Judah, and he took his presence into account. For Judah’s sake, he was willing to ask the Lord for them all. It is a good thing to be with those who have God’s favor and the love of his prophet. Wicked people often benefit from the friendship and company of the godly.

Elisha then gathered himself to receive instruction from God. Jehoram’s presence had stirred him up and made him uneasy, though he had not sinned in anger or spoken carelessly. Even so, his zeal left him less fit for prayer and for the Spirit’s work, which needs a calm and settled mind. So he called for a musician in (2 Kings 3:15), a devout player who could play the harp and sing psalms with it. Hearing God’s praises sung sweetly, as David had arranged, would lift his spirit, steady his thoughts, and help him be ready both to speak to God and to hear from him.

We also see a company of prophets prophesying with a psaltery and a tambourine before them (1 Samuel 10:5). Those who want fellowship with God must keep their spirits quiet and peaceful. When Elisha was refreshed and his inward disturbance was calmed by this holy music, the hand of the Lord came upon him. In that moment, his visit received more honor than the visit of three kings.

Through Elisha, God assured them that the outcome of this trouble would be good and glorious. They would soon be given water, in (2 Kings 3:16-17). To test their faith and obedience, he told them to make the valley full of ditches to hold the water. Those who expect God’s blessing should make room for it, digging pools for the rain to fill, as in the valley of Baca, where it became a well (Psalm 84:6). To make the wonder greater, he said they would have enough water even though there would be neither wind nor rain.

Elijah, by prayer, brought water from the clouds, but Elisha brought it from no one knew where. The source of these waters would be as hidden as the head of the Nile. God is not limited by second causes, the ordinary means he often uses. Usually he confirms his people’s inheritance by heavy rain (Psalm 68:9), but here he did it without rain, at least without rain in that place. It is likely that some springs of the great deep were opened for this purpose. To make the miracle even greater, it seems that only that valley was filled with water, and no other place shared in it.

That supply would also be a sign of victory, in (2 Kings 3:18). “This is a small thing in the Lord’s sight,” meaning that God would do far more than keep them from dying. He would bring them back in triumph. Just as God gives freely to those who do not deserve it, so he gives richly, in a way that fits his greatness, more than we can ask or think. His gifts go beyond our requests and hopes. Those who sincerely seek the dew of God’s grace will receive it, and by it they will become more than conquerors.

It was promised that they would take control of the rebel country and be allowed to lay it waste in (2 Kings 3:19). The law forbade them to cut down fruit trees while besieging a city (Deuteronomy 20:19), but that rule did not apply when the purpose was justice, to bring low a nation that had refused the tribute it owed.