For the LORD says, 'You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink--you and your cattle and your animals.' For the LORD saysThis phrase emphasizes the divine authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which underscores His faithfulness and power. In the context of ancient Israel, a word from Yahweh was absolute and unchangeable, providing assurance to the people that what follows is not merely a human prediction but a divine promise. You will see neither wind nor rain
This phrase highlights the miraculous nature of the forthcoming event. In the arid regions of the ancient Near East, water was a precious commodity, and rain was the usual means of replenishing water supplies. The absence of "wind" and "rain" signifies that the provision of water will defy natural expectations and processes. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation, capable of providing for His people in ways that transcend human understanding and natural laws. Yet this valley will be filled with water
The "valley" here refers to the dry riverbeds or wadis common in the region, which would typically only fill with water during seasonal rains. The promise that it "will be filled with water" without the usual meteorological signs is a testament to God's ability to provide abundantly and supernaturally. This reflects the biblical theme of God making a way where there seems to be no way, echoing other scriptural instances where God provides miraculously, such as the parting of the Red Sea or the provision of manna in the wilderness. And you and your cattle and your animals will drink
This phrase underscores the completeness and sufficiency of God's provision. Not only will the people benefit, but also their "cattle and animals," which were vital to their livelihood and survival. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, livestock represented wealth and sustenance, and their well-being was directly tied to the community's prosperity. This assurance of provision for both humans and animals highlights God's comprehensive care and the interconnectedness of His creation. It serves as a reminder that God's blessings are holistic, addressing all aspects of life and need. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jehoram, King of Israel- The son of Ahab, who led Israel during this time. He sought help from Jehoshaphat to fight against Moab. 2. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah- A godly king who allied with Jehoram to fight against Moab, seeking the Lord's guidance. 3. Elisha the Prophet- The successor of Elijah, who delivered God's message to the kings, promising water without rain. 4. Moabites- The enemies of Israel and Judah in this context, who rebelled against Israel after Ahab's death. 5. The Valley of Edom- The location where the armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom found themselves without water, leading to the miraculous provision. Teaching Points God's Provision Beyond Natural MeansGod can provide for our needs in ways that defy natural expectations. Just as He filled the valley with water without rain, He can meet our needs in unexpected ways. Faith in God's PromisesThe armies had to trust in God's promise through Elisha. We are called to trust in God's Word, even when circumstances seem contrary. Dependence on God in DesperationIn times of desperation, like the armies in the valley, turning to God should be our first response. He is our ultimate source of help and provision. God's Sovereignty Over CreationThis miracle demonstrates God's control over nature. Recognizing His sovereignty can strengthen our faith in His ability to intervene in our lives. Unity in Seeking GodThe alliance of Israel, Judah, and Edom shows the power of unity in seeking God's guidance. In our lives, seeking God together with others can lead to greater understanding and blessing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the miracle of water in 2 Kings 3:17 encourage you to trust God in seemingly impossible situations? 2. In what ways can you apply the lesson of God's provision in this passage to your current life circumstances? 3. How does the unity of the three kings in seeking God's guidance challenge you to seek God in community? 4. What other biblical accounts of God's miraculous provision inspire you, and how do they relate to this passage? 5. How can you cultivate a deeper faith in God's promises, as demonstrated by the armies' trust in Elisha's prophecy? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:1-7The miraculous provision of water from the rock in the desert, showing God's ability to provide in impossible situations. Psalm 107:35God's power to turn a desert into pools of water, emphasizing His sovereignty over nature. John 4:14Jesus as the living water, providing spiritual sustenance and life, paralleling the physical provision in 2 Kings 3:17. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Animals, Armies, Beasts, Cattle, Drink, Drunk, Filled, Full, Livestock, Rain, Says, Stream-bed, Though, Thus, Valley, Wind, YetDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:17 4293 water
4604 animals, nature of 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 3:17 NIV2 Kings 3:17 NLT2 Kings 3:17 ESV2 Kings 3:17 NASB2 Kings 3:17 KJV
2 Kings 3:17 Commentaries
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