Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 3

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 3:1, Jehoram’s reign; 2 Kings 3:4, Mesha rebels; 2 Kings 3:6, Jehoram, with Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom, being distressed for want of water, by Elisha obtains water, and promise of victory; 2 Kings 3:21, The Moabites, deceived by the colour of the water, coming to spoil, are overcome; 2 Kings 3:26, The king of Moab, failing in his attempt to break through to the king of Edom, sacrifices his son, and raises the siege.

Verse 1

Jehoram: 2 Kings 1:17, 2 Kings 8:16, Joram, 1 Kings 22:51

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:37 - Moabites 2 Kings 3:11 - that we may Matthew 1:8 - Josaphat

Verse 2

1 Samuel 15:19, 1 Kings 16:19

wrought: 2 Kings 6:31, 2 Kings 6:32, 2 Kings 21:6, 2 Kings 21:20

but not: 1 Kings 16:33, 1 Kings 21:20, 1 Kings 21:25

and like: 2 Kings 9:22, 2 Kings 9:34, 1 Kings 21:5-15, 1 Kings 21:25

image: Heb. statue

Baal: 2 Kings 10:18, 2 Kings 10:26-28, 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 16:32

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:30 - above 1 Kings 22:53 - he served Baal 2 Kings 8:18 - in the way 2 Kings 17:2 - but not as the kings

Verse 3

1 Kings 12:28-33

he cleaved: 2 Kings 10:20-31

which made: 1 Kings 14:16, 1 Kings 15:26, 1 Kings 15:34, 1 Kings 16:31

he departed: 2 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 13:6, 2 Kings 13:11, 2 Kings 14:24, 2 Kings 15:9, 2 Kings 15:18, 2 Kings 17:22, 1 Kings 12:26-28, 1 Kings 13:33, 1 Corinthians 1:19, 1 Corinthians 1:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:52 - and in the way 2 Kings 3:11 - that we may 2 Kings 8:18 - in the way 2 Kings 10:31 - he departed Jeremiah 32:35 - to cause

Verse 4

a sheepmaster: Genesis 13:2, Genesis 26:13, Genesis 26:14, 2 Chronicles 26:10, Job 1:3, Job 42:12

rendered: 2 Samuel 8:2, 1 Chronicles 18:2, Psalms 60:8, Psalms 108:9, Psalms 108:10

lambs: Isaiah 16:1

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 13:23 - sheepshearers 2 Kings 1:1 - after the 2 Chronicles 17:11 - brought Ecclesiastes 2:7 - also

Verse 5

2 Kings 1:1, 2 Kings 8:20, 2 Chronicles 21:8-10

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:17 - Moab 2 Kings 13:20 - the Moabites 1 Chronicles 18:2 - brought gifts

Verse 6

am 3109, bc 895

numbered: 1 Samuel 11:8, 1 Samuel 15:4, 2 Samuel 24:1-25, 1 Kings 20:27

Verse 7

wilt thou go: 1 Kings 22:4, 1 Kings 22:32, 1 Kings 22:33, 2 Chronicles 18:3, 2 Chronicles 18:29-32, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 21:4-7, 2 Chronicles 22:3, 2 Chronicles 22:4, 2 Chronicles 22:10-12

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:28 - he went

Verse 8

the wilderness of Edom: The wilderness of Edom was probably the same as that of Zin or Kadesh, through which the children of Israel passed; extending southward from the Dead Sea, to the eastern branch of the Red Sea. See note on Numbers 13:21. Numbers 21:4, Malachi 1:2, Malachi 1:3

Verse 9

Edom: 1 Kings 22:27

no water: Exodus 15:22, Exodus 17:1, Numbers 20:2, Numbers 20:4, Numbers 21:5, Numbers 33:14

that followed them: Heb. at their feet, Exodus 11:8, *marg. Judges 4:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:15 - the water 1 Kings 22:47 - no king 2 Kings 3:26 - unto the king of Edom 2 Kings 8:20 - Edom 2 Chronicles 21:8 - and made Psalms 84:6 - the rain Proverbs 19:3 - foolishness Amos 2:1 - because

Verse 10

the Lord: 2 Kings 6:33, Genesis 4:13, Psalms 78:34-36, Proverbs 19:3, Isaiah 8:21, Isaiah 51:20

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:7 - wherefore 2 Kings 3:13 - Nay 2 Kings 6:5 - master

Verse 11

Is there not here: 1 Kings 22:7, Psalms 74:9, Amos 3:7

that we may: 2 Kings 3:1, 2 Kings 3:3, Joshua 9:14, Judges 20:8-11, Judges 20:18, Judges 20:23, Judges 20:26-28, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 1 Chronicles 14:10, 1 Chronicles 14:14, 1 Chronicles 15:13

poured water: That is, was his constant and confidential servant. Mr. Hanway, speaking of a Persian supper, says, "Supper being now brought in, a servant presented a basin of water, and a napkin hung over his shoulders; he went to every one in the company, and poured water on their hands to wash." Genesis 18:4, Joshua 1:1, 1 Kings 19:21, Luke 22:26, Luke 22:27, John 13:4, John 13:5, John 13:13, John 13:14, 1 Timothy 5:10, Philippians 2:22

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Kings 4:12 - servant 2 Kings 6:15 - servant 2 Kings 8:8 - inquire 2 Kings 22:13 - inquire 2 Chronicles 18:6 - Is there not Proverbs 27:18 - so Jeremiah 21:2 - Inquire Jeremiah 37:17 - Is there Acts 13:5 - their

Verse 12

The word: 2 Kings 2:14, 2 Kings 2:15, 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 2:24, 1 Samuel 3:19-21

Israel: 2 Kings 2:25, 2 Kings 5:8, 2 Kings 5:9, 2 Kings 5:15, Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:14, Revelation 3:9

Reciprocal: Proverbs 14:19 - General Mark 6:20 - feared

Verse 13

What: Ezekiel 14:3-5, Matthew 8:29, John 2:4, 2 Corinthians 5:16, 2 Corinthians 6:15

get: Judges 10:14, Ruth 1:15, Proverbs 1:28, Jeremiah 2:27, Jeremiah 2:28

the prophets: 1 Kings 18:19, 1 Kings 22:6, 1 Kings 22:10, 1 Kings 22:11, 1 Kings 22:22-25

Nay: 2 Kings 3:10, Deuteronomy 32:37-39, Hosea 6:1

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 17:18 - What have I 1 Kings 22:15 - Go and prosper 2 Kings 10:19 - all the prophets 2 Chronicles 18:5 - prophets Psalms 15:4 - a vile Proverbs 28:4 - but Isaiah 57:13 - let Jeremiah 37:19 - Where Lamentations 3:39 - a man Ezekiel 13:12 - Where Ezekiel 20:1 - that certain Ezekiel 20:31 - and shall Ezekiel 20:39 - Go ye Daniel 5:17 - Let Mark 6:20 - feared Mark 14:41 - Sleep

Verse 14

As the Lord: 2 Kings 5:16, 1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 18:15

I regard: 2 Chronicles 17:3-9, 2 Chronicles 19:3, 2 Chronicles 19:4, Psalms 15:4

I would not look: 1 Samuel 15:26-31, 1 Kings 14:5-18, 1 Kings 21:20, Jeremiah 1:18, Daniel 5:17-23, Matthew 22:16

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:4 - all the great Proverbs 28:4 - but Ezekiel 20:31 - and shall

Verse 15

bring me: This was evidently intended to soothe and tranquillize the prophet's mind, which had been agitated and discomposed with holy indignation by the presence of the idolatrous king, and the recollection of his abomination. The soothing influence of music is generally acknowledged in every civilized nation. 1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 16:23, 1 Samuel 18:10, 1 Chronicles 25:2, 1 Chronicles 25:3, Ephesians 5:18, Ephesians 5:19

the hand: 1 Kings 18:46, Ezekiel 1:3, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 3:22, Ezekiel 8:1, Acts 11:21

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 16:16 - play 2 Samuel 6:5 - David 2 Kings 4:13 - to the king 1 Chronicles 13:8 - David 1 Chronicles 25:1 - prophesy Hosea 9:8 - with

Verse 16

Make this valley: 2 Kings 4:3, Numbers 2:18, Numbers 2:16-18

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 17:14 - thus saith 2 Kings 5:10 - wash Psalms 107:35 - turneth

Verse 17

Ye shall not: 1 Kings 18:36-39, Psalms 84:6, Psalms 107:35, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 41:18, Isaiah 43:19, Isaiah 43:20, Isaiah 48:21

that ye may: Exodus 17:6, Numbers 20:8-11

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 6:9 - Beware Amos 3:7 - but

Verse 18

And this: 1 Kings 3:13, Jeremiah 32:17, Jeremiah 32:27, Luke 1:37, Ephesians 3:20

a light: 2 Kings 20:10, 1 Kings 16:31, Isaiah 7:13, Isaiah 49:6, Ezekiel 8:17

he will: 1 Kings 20:13, 1 Kings 20:28, Isaiah 7:1-9

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:34 - for I have 1 Samuel 23:4 - for I will 1 Kings 20:21 - went out 1 Chronicles 17:17 - a small thing

Verse 19

And ye: 2 Kings 13:17, Numbers 24:17, Judges 6:16, 1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 23:2

fell: Deuteronomy 20:19, Deuteronomy 20:20

mar: Heb. grieve, 2 Kings 3:25

Verse 20

when the meat: Exodus 29:39, Exodus 29:40, 1 Kings 18:36, Daniel 9:21

there came water: This supply was altogether miraculous; for there was neither wind nor rain, nor any other natural means to furnish it.

filled: Psalms 78:15, Psalms 78:16, Psalms 78:20, Isaiah 35:6, Isaiah 35:7

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:15 - the morning

Verse 21

gathered: Heb. were cried together

put on armour: Heb. gird himself with a girdle. 1 Kings 20:11, Ephesians 6:14

Verse 22

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 7:6 - the Lord

Verse 23

This is blood: 2 Kings 6:18-20, 2 Kings 7:6

slain: Heb. destroyed

now therefore: Exodus 15:9, Judges 5:30, 2 Chronicles 20:25, Isaiah 10:14

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 10:8 - to strip

Verse 24

smote the: Joshua 8:20-22, Judges 20:40-46, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:4

went forward: or, smote in it even

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 20:21 - went out 2 Kings 13:20 - the Moabites

Verse 25

beat down: 2 Kings 3:19, Judges 9:45, 2 Samuel 8:2, Isaiah 37:26, Isaiah 37:27

stopped: Genesis 26:15, Genesis 26:18, 2 Chronicles 32:4

and felled: Deuteronomy 20:19, Deuteronomy 20:20

only in: etc. Heb. until he left the stones thereof in Kir-haraseth

Kirharaseth: Supposed to be the same as Ar, or Areopolis, the capital of Moab. Deuteronomy 2:9, Isaiah 16:7, Isaiah 16:11, Jeremiah 48:31, Jeremiah 48:36, Kir-heres

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 3:5 - to cast Isaiah 15:1 - Kir

Verse 26

unto the king of Edom: 2 Kings 3:9, Amos 2:1

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:17 - Moab Judges 8:10 - fell an hundred Judges 20:2 - drew sword

Verse 27

offered him: In cases of great extremity, it was customary in various heathen nations, to offer human sacrifices, and even their own children. This was frequent among the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Scythians, Gauls, Africans, and others; and was the natural fruit of a religious system, which had for the objects of its worship cruel and merciless divinities. The king of Moab, in this case, sacrificed his son to obtain the favour of Chemosh his god, who, being a devil, delighted in blood and murder, and the destruction of mankind. The dearer anything was to them, the more acceptable those idolaters thought the sacrifice, and therefore burnt their children in the fire to their honour. Genesis 22:2, Genesis 22:13, Deuteronomy 12:31, Judges 11:31, Judges 11:39, Psalms 106:37, Psalms 106:38, Ezekiel 16:20, Micah 6:7

they departed: 1 Samuel 14:36-46, 1 Kings 20:13, 1 Kings 20:28, 1 Kings 20:43

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:17 - Moab 2 Kings 8:20 - Edom Isaiah 16:12 - he shall