and he said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Dig this valley full of ditches.' and he saidThis phrase introduces the words of the prophet Elisha, who is speaking on behalf of God. In the Hebrew text, the word for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is a common verb used throughout the Old Testament to denote the act of speaking or declaring. Elisha, as a prophet, serves as a mouthpiece for God, emphasizing the divine authority behind the message. This highlights the importance of prophetic voices in Israel's history, serving as conduits for God's will and guidance. This is what the LORD says
The phrase underscores the divine origin of the message. "LORD" in the Hebrew text is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the sacred and personal name of God, often rendered as "Yahweh." This name signifies God's eternal presence and covenantal faithfulness to His people. The use of "says" (אָמַר, amar) again emphasizes the direct communication from God, reinforcing the authority and reliability of the message. It is a reminder of God's active involvement in the affairs of His people and His willingness to guide them through His chosen prophets. Make this valley
The word "valley" in Hebrew is "נַחַל" (nachal), which can refer to a wadi or a dry riverbed that occasionally fills with water. Valleys in the biblical context often symbolize places of trial or testing, but also of potential blessing and provision. The command to "make" (עָשָׂה, asah) implies human participation in God's plan, requiring obedience and action from the people. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where divine intervention often requires human cooperation and faith. full of ditches
The Hebrew word for "ditches" is "גֵּבִים" (gebim), which refers to trenches or pits dug to collect water. The command to fill the valley with ditches is both practical and symbolic. Practically, it prepares for the miraculous provision of water, demonstrating God's power to provide in seemingly impossible situations. Symbolically, it represents faith and obedience, as the people must act on God's promise before seeing the fulfillment. This act of preparation is a testament to trusting God's word, even when the outcome is not immediately visible. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. He is known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom in this chapter. 2. Jehoram (Joram)The king of Israel, son of Ahab, who sought Elisha's counsel during a military campaign against Moab. 3. JehoshaphatThe king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God, who allied with Jehoram against Moab. 4. The King of EdomAn unnamed ally in the coalition against Moab, joining forces with Israel and Judah. 5. MoabA nation that rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab, prompting the military campaign described in this chapter. Teaching Points Obedience Precedes ProvisionGod's command to dig ditches required faith and obedience before the provision of water. Believers are called to trust and obey God's instructions, even when they don't fully understand His plan. Faith in ActionThe act of digging ditches symbolizes active faith. Christians are encouraged to prepare for God's blessings by taking steps of faith in anticipation of His provision. God's Unconventional MethodsGod's instructions often defy human logic. This passage reminds us that God's solutions may not align with our expectations, but they are always perfect. Unity in PurposeThe alliance of Israel, Judah, and Edom highlights the importance of unity among God's people when facing common challenges. Believers are encouraged to work together in faith and purpose. Dependence on GodThe need for water in the desert underscores our dependence on God for sustenance and life. This passage calls us to rely on God for our needs, trusting in His timing and provision. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command to "make this valley full of ditches" challenge our understanding of faith and obedience in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we prepare for God's provision in our current circumstances, similar to how the Israelites prepared by digging ditches? 3. Reflect on a time when God's instructions seemed unconventional. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? 4. How can we foster unity and collaboration among believers when facing challenges, as seen in the alliance of Israel, Judah, and Edom? 5. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate our dependence on God in our daily lives, especially in times of need? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 3-4The crossing of the Jordan River, where God miraculously provided a way for the Israelites, parallels the miraculous provision of water in 2 Kings 3. Psalm 23:1-3The theme of God providing for His people in times of need is echoed in the assurance of God's provision and guidance. Isaiah 55:8-9God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, which is evident in the unconventional command to dig ditches in preparation for His provision. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Ditches, Dry, Full, Pools, Says, Stream-bed, Thus, Trenches, Valley, Water-holesDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:11-19 5422 musicians 2 Kings 3:14-19 5420 music 2 Kings 3:15-19 1431 prophecy, OT methods 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 3:16 NIV2 Kings 3:16 NLT2 Kings 3:16 ESV2 Kings 3:16 NASB2 Kings 3:16 KJV
2 Kings 3:16 Commentaries
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