The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land. The next morningThis phrase sets the scene for a divine intervention that occurs at a specific time, emphasizing God's perfect timing. In the Hebrew context, mornings often symbolize new beginnings and hope. The Israelites, having been in a dire situation, are about to witness God's provision at the break of a new day, reminding us of Lamentations 3:22-23, where God's mercies are described as new every morning. at the time of the offering of the sacrifice
This phrase indicates a significant moment in the Jewish religious calendar, the time of the morning sacrifice. The Hebrew word for "sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach) often refers to offerings made to God, symbolizing atonement and worship. This timing underscores the connection between worship and divine intervention, suggesting that God responds to the faithfulness and devotion of His people. suddenly
The suddenness of the event highlights the miraculous nature of God's intervention. In the Hebrew narrative style, such abrupt changes often signify divine action. This word reminds us that God's solutions can come unexpectedly and powerfully, beyond human planning or anticipation. water flowed from the direction of Edom
The geographical reference to Edom is significant. Edom, located southeast of Israel, was often an adversary of Israel. The Hebrew root for Edom (אֱדוֹם, Edom) is related to the word for "red," possibly referring to the red sandstone of the region. The fact that water, a symbol of life and blessing, flows from an unexpected and potentially hostile direction underscores God's sovereignty and ability to provide from unlikely sources. and the land was filled with water
This phrase completes the miracle, showing the abundance of God's provision. The Hebrew word for "filled" (מָלֵא, male) conveys a sense of completeness and sufficiency. The land, previously dry and barren, is now saturated with life-giving water, symbolizing spiritual renewal and God's faithfulness to His promises. This transformation serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to bring life and hope to seemingly hopeless situations. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jehoram (Joram)- The king of Israel who sought help from Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to fight against Moab. 2. Jehoshaphat- The king of Judah who allied with Jehoram to battle against the Moabites. 3. Elisha- The prophet who provided guidance and assurance of victory to the kings of Israel and Judah. 4. Edom- The region from which the miraculous water flowed, providing relief to the armies. 5. Moab- The nation that rebelled against Israel, prompting the military campaign. Teaching Points God's Provision in Times of NeedJust as God provided water for the armies of Israel and Judah, He is able to meet our needs in unexpected ways. Trust in His provision even when circumstances seem dire. The Importance of Seeking Godly CounselJehoshaphat's insistence on consulting Elisha reminds us of the importance of seeking God's guidance through His Word and His people when making decisions. God's Timing is PerfectThe water arrived at the time of the morning sacrifice, emphasizing that God's timing is always perfect. We should be patient and trust in His timing for our lives. Faith in ActionThe armies had to dig ditches in faith before the water came. This teaches us to act in faith, preparing for God's provision even when we cannot see it yet. God's Sovereignty Over NatureThe miraculous flow of water from Edom demonstrates God's sovereignty over creation. We can trust Him to control the natural world and intervene on our behalf. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the miraculous provision of water in 2 Kings 3:20 encourage you to trust God in your current circumstances? 2. In what ways can you seek godly counsel in your life decisions, similar to Jehoshaphat's approach? 3. Reflect on a time when God's timing was perfect in your life. How can this encourage you to be patient in waiting for His provision? 4. What are some "ditches" you need to dig in faith, preparing for God's provision in your life? 5. How does understanding God's sovereignty over nature and circumstances impact your faith and trust in Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:1-7This passage describes another miraculous provision of water, where God provided water from a rock for the Israelites in the desert. It highlights God's ability to provide for His people in miraculous ways. 1 Kings 18:41-45Elijah's prayer for rain after a long drought demonstrates God's control over nature and His response to the prayers of His prophets. Psalm 46:4This verse speaks of a river whose streams make glad the city of God, symbolizing God's provision and presence. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Ascending, Behold, Direction, Edom, Filled, Flowing, Full, Making, Meat, Meat-offering, Morning, Morning'-present, Oblation, Offered, Offering, Pass, Sacrifice, Till, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:16-25 1416 miracles, nature of Library Sight and Blindness
'Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that them pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881 The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer, Briefly Considered.
"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with, thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?--He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" As mankind are …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Secret of Its Greatness
[Illustration: (drop cap G) The Great Pyramid] God always chooses the right kind of people to do His work. Not only so, He always gives to those whom He chooses just the sort of life which will best prepare them for the work He will one day call them to do. That is why God put it into the heart of Pharaoh's daughter to bring up Moses as her own son in the Egyptian palace. The most important part of Moses' training was that his heart should be right with God, and therefore he was allowed to remain …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 3:20 NIV2 Kings 3:20 NLT2 Kings 3:20 ESV2 Kings 3:20 NASB2 Kings 3:20 KJV
2 Kings 3:20 Commentaries
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