2 Kings 3:8 "By what route shall we attack?" he asked. "Through the Desert of Edom," he answered.

◄ 2 Kings 3:8 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
"By what route shall we attack?" he asked. "Through the Desert of Edom," he answered.

English Standard Version
Then he said, “By which way shall we march?” Jehoram answered, “By the way of the wilderness of Edom.”

New American Standard Bible
He said, "Which way shall we go up?" And he answered, "The way of the wilderness of Edom."

King James Bible
And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he asked, "Which route should we take?" Joram replied, "The route of the Wilderness of Edom."

International Standard Version
"What road do we take?" Jehoram answered, "We'll go along the Edom desert road."

American Standard Version
And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way of the wilderness of Edom.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: Which way shall we go up? But he answered: By the desert of Edom.

Darby Bible Translation
And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he said, By way of the wilderness of Edom.

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, 'Where is this -- the way we go up?' and he saith, 'The way of the wilderness of Edom.'

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

3:6-19 The king of Israel laments their distress, and the danger they were in. He called these kings together, yet he charges it upon Providence. Thus the foolishness of man perverteth his way, and then his heart fretteth against the Lord, Pr 19:3. It was well that Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord now, but it had been much better if he had done it before he engaged in this war. Good men sometimes neglect their duty, till necessity and affliction drive them to it. Wicked people often fare the better for the friendship and society of the godly. To try their faith and obedience, Elisha bids them make the valley full of pits to receive water. Those who expect God's blessings, must dig pools for the rain to fill, as in the valley of Baca, and thus make even that a well, Ps 84:6. We need not inquire whence the water came. God is not tied to second causes. They that sincerely seek for the dew of God's grace, shall have it, and by it be made more than conquerors.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

8-12. Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom—This was a long and circuitous route, by the southern bend of the Dead Sea. Jehoshaphat however preferred it, partly because the part of the Moabite territory at which they would arrive, was the most defenseless; and partly because he would thereby enlist, in the expedition, the forces of the king of Edom. But, in penetrating the deep, rocky valley of Ahsy, which forms the boundary between Edom and Moab, the confederate army was reduced, both man and beast, to the greatest extremities for want of water. They were disappointed by finding the wady of this valley, the brook Zered (De 2:13-18) [Robinson], dry. Jehoram was in despair. But the pious mind of Jehoshaphat inquired for a prophet of the Lord; and, on being informed that Elisha was at hand, the three kings "went down to him"; that is, to his tent, which was either in the camp, or close by it. He had been directed thither by the Spirit of God for this special purpose. They went to him, not only as a mark of respect, but to supplicate for his assistance.