"Alas," said the king of Israel, "for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!" “Alas,” said the king of Israel,The king of Israel at this time was Jehoram, son of Ahab. His exclamation "Alas" indicates a moment of despair and fear. This reflects the often tumultuous reigns of the kings of Israel, who frequently turned away from God, leading to instability and divine judgment. Jehoram's reaction is typical of a leader who lacks faith in God's providence, contrasting with leaders like David who sought God's guidance in times of trouble. “for the LORD has summoned these three kings
The three kings referred to are Jehoram of Israel, Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom. This alliance was formed to combat the rebellion of Moab. The phrase "the LORD has summoned" suggests a belief in divine orchestration, even in political and military matters. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding that deities were involved in the affairs of nations. Jehoshaphat, a godly king, often sought the Lord's counsel, which contrasts with Jehoram's lack of faith. to deliver them into the hand of Moab!”
Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, was a frequent adversary of Israel. The Moabite rebellion under King Mesha is historically documented in the Mesha Stele, which corroborates the biblical account. The fear of being delivered into Moab's hand reflects the real threat posed by Moab's military strength. This phrase also highlights the recurring theme of Israel's enemies being used as instruments of God's judgment when Israel strayed from His commandments. The situation foreshadows the need for divine intervention, which ultimately comes through the prophet Elisha, pointing to the necessity of reliance on God's power rather than human alliances. Persons / Places / Events 1. King of IsraelAt this time, the king of Israel is Jehoram, the son of Ahab. He is leading the coalition against Moab. 2. King of JudahJehoshaphat, the king of Judah, is known for his faithfulness to God and is part of the alliance against Moab. 3. King of EdomThe unnamed king of Edom joins the coalition with Israel and Judah against Moab. 4. MoabA neighboring nation that rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab, leading to this military campaign. 5. The LORDThe God of Israel, whom Jehoram blames for their predicament, showing a lack of faith and understanding. Teaching Points Trust in God, Not CircumstancesJehoram's reaction shows a lack of faith. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire. The Importance of Godly AlliancesJehoshaphat's presence in the alliance reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with those who seek God's will. Recognizing God's SovereigntyJehoram's statement reflects a misunderstanding of God's control. Believers should recognize that God is sovereign and His plans are for our ultimate good. The Danger of BlameJehoram's blame of God for their situation serves as a warning against shifting responsibility away from our own decisions and actions. Seeking God's GuidanceThe account encourages believers to seek God's guidance in all decisions, especially in times of crisis. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jehoram's reaction in 2 Kings 3:10 reflect his understanding of God's character, and how can we ensure our understanding aligns with Scripture? 2. In what ways does Jehoshaphat's involvement in this alliance demonstrate the importance of godly counsel, and how can we apply this in our own lives? 3. How can we cultivate a trust in God's sovereignty similar to that described in Psalm 20:7, especially when facing challenging circumstances? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to avoid blaming God or others when we encounter difficulties, as Jehoram did? 5. How can we actively seek God's guidance in our daily decisions, and what role does prayer and Scripture play in this process? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 22This chapter provides background on Jehoshaphat's previous alliance with Ahab, Jehoram's father, and highlights Jehoshaphat's consistent reliance on God's guidance. 2 Chronicles 20Offers insight into Jehoshaphat's character and his reliance on God during a different military crisis, contrasting with Jehoram's response. Psalm 20:7Emphasizes trust in the name of the LORD rather than in military might, contrasting with Jehoram's despair. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Alas, Deliver, Got, Hands, Kings, Moab, TroubleDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:9 4293 water 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 3:10 NIV2 Kings 3:10 NLT2 Kings 3:10 ESV2 Kings 3:10 NASB2 Kings 3:10 KJV
2 Kings 3:10 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
