2 Kings 3

NOw Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria, the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah Quest. How can this be true, when Ahaziah, Iehoram's predecessor, who Reigned two Years, began his Reign in Iehoshaphat's 17th Year, 1 King. 22. 51? Ans. Either, Ahaziah Reigned the greatest part of two Years, to wit, of the 17th and 18th Years of Iehoshaphat, (parts of Years being oft called years in the computation of times, both in Scripture and other Authors) and Iehoram began his Reign towards the end of his 18th Year: or, Ahaziah Reigned part of this two Years with his Father, and the rest after him., and reigned twelve years.

And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD, but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal, that his father had made Not from any principle of Conscience (for that would have reached the Calves also): but either, because he was startled at the dreadful Judgments of God inflicted upon his Father and Brother for Baal-worship: or, because he needed Gods help to subdue the Moabites, which he knew Baal could not do: or, to gratify Iehoshaphat, whose help he meant to crave, which he knew he should never obtain without this; and for this reason, it seems, Iezabel was willing to connive at it, as a trick of State..

Nevertheless, he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam i. e. The worship of the Calves: which all the Kings of Israel kept up as a Wall of partition between their Subjects and those of Iudah. Thus he shows that his Religion was over-ruled by his Interest and Policy. the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin: he departed not therefrom.

¶ And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master A man of great wealth (which in those times and places consisted much in Cattel) which enabled and emboldned him to Rebel against his Sovereign Lord., and rendred unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

But it came to pass, when * Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled See of this ch. 1. 1. It is here repeated to make way for the following Story. Ahaziah did not attempt the recovery of Moab; either, because he was a man of a low spirit and courage: or, because his Sickness, or the shortness of his Reign gave not opportunity for it. against the king of Israel.

¶ And king Jehoram went out of Samaria To some place appointed for the Rendezvous of his people. the same time, and numbred all Israel To wit, such as were fit for War..

And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab has rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battel? and he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses Of which see on 1 King. 22. 4. He joyns with him in this War; partly, because the War was very just in it self, and convenient for Iehoshaphat, both in the general, that Rebels and Revolters should be chastised and suppressed, lest the example should pass into his Dominions, and the Edomites should be hereby encouraged to revolt from him, as they did from his Son; and in particular, that the Moabites should be humbled, who had with others Invaded his Land before this time, 2 Chron. 20. 1. and might do so again if they were not brought low; for which a fair opportunity was now offered to him; and partly, because Iehoram had reformed some things, and Iehoshaphat hoped by this means to engage him to proceed further in that work..

And he Either, Iehoshaphat: or rather, Ioram: for the following answer may seem to be Iehoshaphat's. said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom Which though it was much the longer way, yet they thought it best; partly, to secure the King or Vice-Roy of Edom, of whom they might have some suspition, from that passage 2 Chron. 20. 22. and to carry both him and his Soldiers along with them into the War, both to get their assistance, and to prevent them from making a War of diversion against Iudah, whilst Iehoshaphat was engaged against Moab; and partly, that they might invade Moab on their weakest side, and where they least expected them. God also thus disposed their hearts to make way for the following miracle..

So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom i. e. The Vice-Roy under Iehoshaphat, 1 King. 22. 47. here called king; either, because he was so called and accounted by his own people: or, because that word is sometimes used for any Prince or chief Ruler. See Deut. 33. 5. Iudg. 18. 1. and 21. 25. 1 King. 20. 1.: and they fetcht a compass of seven days journey Because they made a great Army, which could move but slowly; and they fetched a greater compass than was usual, for some advantage which they expected by it.: and there was no water A frequent want in those hot and desert parts; and now, as it seems, increased by the extraordinary heat and dryness of the season. for the host, and for the cattel that followed them.

And the king of Israel said, Alas, that the LORD has called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab So he chargeth his calamity upon God; and not upon himself, whose sins were the true and proper causes of it..

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him This he should have asked before, when they first undertook the expedition, as he did in a like case, 1 King. 22. 5. and for that neglect he now suffers: but better late than never: his afflicton brings him to the remembrance of his former sin, and present duty.? And one of the king of Israels servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah i. e. Who was his Servant: this being one office of a Servant: and this office was the more necessary among the Israelites, because of the frequent washings which their Law required..

And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him We may enquire the mind of God by him: for he is a true Prophet. Which Iehoshaphat might easily understand, because being a good man, and a great favourer of the Lords Prophets, he would diligently enquire, and many persons would be ready to inform him of all things of that nature, and, amongst others, of Elijah's calling of Elisha by casting his Prophetical Mantle over him, 1 King. 19. 19. and of Elijah's translation, and Elisha's substitution in his place, and of the proof of it, 2 Kin. 2. 8, 14.. So the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom went down to him To his Tent; which was either in the Camp, or not far from it: for he went along with the Army by the impulse of Gods Spirit, for this very occasion. They did not send for him, but went to him, that by giving him this honour, they might more effectually ingage him to give them his utmost assistance; and, because they had heard that he was a man of a rugged temper and carriage, who therefore was to be sweetned, and so disposed to pity and relieve them..

And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee I desire to have no discourse nor converse with thee.? Get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother i. e. To the Calves, which thou after thy Fathers example dost worship; and to the Baals which thy Mother yet worshippeth by thy permission; and to which thy heart is yet inclined, though thou hast destroyed one of his Images for politick reasons. Let these Idols whom thou worshippest in thy Prosperity, now help thee in thy distress.. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay I renounce those false Prophets and Baals, and will seek to none but God for help.: for the LORD has called these three kings If thou hast no respect for me, yet pity this innocent King of Edom, and good Iehoshaphat, who are involved in the same danger with my self. together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, Surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah Whom I Reverence and Love for his Virtue and Piety., I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.

But now bring me a minstrel One that can Sing and Play upon a Musical Instrument. This he requires, that his mind which had been disturbed and inflamed with Holy anger at the... ight of wicked Iehoram, might be composed, and cheered, and united within it self, and that he might be excited to the more servent prayer to God, and joyfully praising him; whereby he was prepared to receive the Prophetical Inspiration. For although Prophecy be the Gift of God, yet men might do something either to hinder or further the reception of it: for which cause Paul bids Christians study to get the Gift of Prophecy, 1 Cor. 14. 1. And for this very end the Colledges of the Prophets were erected, wherein the Sons of the Prophets did use divers means to procure this Gift, which also they did sometimes receive, as we see 2 King. 2. 3, 5. and, amongst other means, they used Instruments of Musick to exhilerate their spirits, &c. 1 Sam. 10. 5. Of the great power of Musick upon the affections, see the Notes on 1 Sam. 16. 17.. And it came to pass when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD i. e. The Spirit of Prophecy, so called, to note that it was not from Elisha's temper of body or mind; that it was no natural nor acquired virtue inherent in him; but a singular Gift of God, given to whom and when he pleased. This Phrase is used also Ezek. 1. 8. and 3. 14, 22. and 8. 1. came upon him.

And he said, Thus says the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches Which may receive the Water, and hold it for the use of Men and Beasts..

For thus says the LORD, Ye shall not see wind Any of those winds which commonly produce Rain. And seeing is here put for perceiving or feeling, one sense for another, or for all, as Gen. 42. 1. compare Act. 7. 12. Exod. 20. 18. and elsewhere., neither shall ye see rain, yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattel, and your beasts.

And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD This is but a small favour in comparison of what he intends to you for Iehoshaphat's sake. He will give you more than you ask or expect. For they were so weakned and discouraged with the great drought, that they had no hopes of proceeding in the offensive War, and thought it sufficient, if it were possible, to Defend themselves from the Moabites, ver. 13., he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree This is, Either, First, A command; and then the last clause is an exception from that Law, Deut. 20. 19. which being delivered by a Prophet, might be obeyed. And if this command seem severe, it must be considered, that the Moabites were a very wicked people, perfidious, cruel, implacable Enemies to Gods People upon all occasions, and now in a state of Rebellion. Or rather, Secondly, A prediction of their success, that they should have so full and complete a Victory, that they should be able to do all which is here expressed., and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.

And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat-offering was offered i. e. The morning-Sacrifice: of which Exod. 29. 39, 40. which doubtless was attended with the Solemn prayers of Gods People, as the Evening-Sacrifice unquestionably was, Act. 3. 1. there being the same reason for substance for both times. At this time Elisha joyned his Prayers with the Prayers of Gods People, especially those at Ierusalem, as he had done at a like time, 1 King. 18. 29. aad this time God chose to answer his and their Prayers, and to work this Miracle, that thereby he might determine the controversie between the Israelites and Iews, about the place and manner of worship, and give a publick Testimony from Heaven for the Iews, and against the Israelites., that behold, there came water Miraculously produced out of some Rock or Vein of the Earth. by the way of Edom From those parts which were towards Edom., and the countrey was filled with water.

¶ And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour Heb. to gird on a girdle, i. e. a Military Girdle, to which the Sword was fastened, 2 Sam. 20. 8. 1 King. 2. 5., and upward, and stood in the border Or, in that border, to wit, of their Countrey, which was towards Edom, which way they understood the Kings came. Here they stood probably to defend the passages into their Countrey..

And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood Because of the morning-Sun, which meeting with the Vapours that arose from the Earth, and shining through them upon the Water, gave it a reddish tincture. God also so ordered things, that their sences and fancies were disturbed, or the Air so disposed, that it might seem of this Colour. And they might more easily mistake this for Blood, because they knew that that ground was generally dry, and without any trenches or streams of Water, now especially in this dry season, there being no noise of Wind and Rain, v. 17. And they might justly think that the three Kings being divided in their Religion and Interests, and discontented for want of Water, might fall into dissentions, and heats, and mutual slaughters, of which they had a late example, 2 Chron. 20. 22, 23..

And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore Moab to the spoil They were so highly confident, that they send no Scouts, but March thither with their whole Army, and that in great disorder. Wherein there was also a Divine hand, strengthning them in their mistakes, and hardening them to their destruction..

And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their countrey They pursued them to their own Countrey, and entred it, with and after them; the passes, which before the Moabites defended, being now open for them..

And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone The Stones which happily had been with great care and pains pickt out of the Land, and laid in heaps after the manner, they dispersed again, and slew the people, who should have cleansed them again., and filled it, and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth Which was the Royal and strongest City of the Moabites, Isa. 16. 7, 11. into which the remnant of the Moabites were gathered, where also their King was with them. left they the stones thereof The Walls and Buildings of this City only were left; other Cities, and, in a manner, their whole Countrey being utterly destroyed.: howbeit the slingers Either, First, Such as slung small Stones against those that stood upon the Wall to desend it. Or rather, Secondly, Such as slung great Stones against the Walls to break them down, according to the manner of those times. went about it, and smote it i. e. Made breaches in the Walls, by which they might enter into the City, and take it..

¶ And when the king of Moab saw that the battel was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom That being unable to defend the City longer, he might make an escape: which he chose to do on the King of Edom's quarter; because he thought either that his was the weakest side: or, that he would more willingly suffer him to escape, because he was not so hearty in the War as the rest, but only forced to it, and he might hereafter have some occasion of the King of Moab to joyn with him, as before he had, 2 Chron. 20. 22.: but they could not.

Then he took his eldest son Either, First, the King of Edom's Son; whom in his eruption he took, and then Sacrificed. Compare Amos 2. 1. But, First, That place speaks of the king, not of the kings son; and of the burning of his bones, not of the offering of a living man for a Burnt-Offering. Secondly, This would not have made the besiegers to raise their siege, but to have followed it more warmly to revenge so barbarous an action. Thirdly, The following clause, that should have reigned in his stead, agrees not so well to the Edomites, whose King was only Iehoshaphat's Vice-Roy, and therefore his Son had no right to succeed him; as it does to the Moabites, whose King was revolted from Israel, and intended to keep that Kingdom to himself and Children. Or rather, Secondly, His own Son: whom he Sacrificed; partly, to obtain the favour of his God, according to the manner of the Phoenicians and other people in grievous and publick Calamities; whereof we have manifest testimonies, both in Scripture, as Ps. 106. 37. Ezek. 20. 31. and in Heathen Authors, as Porphyrius, Plutarch and others: and partly, to oblige the Israelites to quit the siege out of compassion; or, as despairing to Conquer (at least without greater loss of men than it was worth) him who was resolved to defend himself and City to the utmost extremity. that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall That the besiegers might see it, and be moved by it., and there was great indignation against Israel Or, great trouble or repentance upon Israel, i. e. the Israelitish King and people (who was the first cause of the War, and had brought the rest into confederacy with him) were greatly afflicted and grieved for this barbarous action, and resolved to prosecute the War no further, and so withdrew their Forces, as also did their Allies, and returned to their several Homes. Which they were the more willing to do, because the Kingdom and Countrey of Moab were so ruinated both as to their Men, and Cities, or Villages, and Lands, that they were all secure of any great annoyance from it., and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.