"This is blood!" they exclaimed. "The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!" This is blood!The phrase "This is blood!" is a declaration made by the Moabites upon seeing the water that appeared red like blood. The Hebrew word for blood is "דָּם" (dam), which often symbolizes life, death, and covenant in the Old Testament. In this context, the Moabites misinterpret the sight, thinking it signifies the death of their enemies. This reflects a common ancient belief that omens and signs in nature could predict or explain human events. Theologically, this misinterpretation can be seen as God's providence, using natural phenomena to fulfill His purposes. The kings have clashed swords
The phrase "The kings have clashed swords" suggests a battle or conflict among the allied kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom. The Hebrew root for "clashed" is "נָגַע" (naga), meaning to touch or strike. Historically, alliances between kingdoms were often fragile, and internal strife was not uncommon. This assumption by the Moabites reveals their expectation of discord among their enemies, which they hoped would lead to their advantage. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the destructive potential of disunity and the importance of seeking God's guidance in alliances. and slaughtered one another
The phrase "and slaughtered one another" indicates a complete and mutual destruction, which the Moabites believed had occurred. The Hebrew word for "slaughtered" is "הִכָּה" (hikah), meaning to strike down or kill. This reflects the Moabites' hope that their enemies had been weakened by internal conflict. In a broader biblical context, it underscores the theme of divine intervention, where God can turn the expectations of the wicked into their downfall, as seen in other biblical narratives where God confuses or defeats enemies through unexpected means. Now to the plunder, Moab!
The phrase "Now to the plunder, Moab!" is a call to action, urging the Moabites to seize the opportunity to loot and take advantage of what they believed was a victory. The Hebrew word for "plunder" is "שָׁלָל" (shalal), which denotes spoils of war. This reflects the ancient practice of taking goods and wealth from defeated foes, a common motivation for warfare in the ancient Near East. From a spiritual perspective, this moment of anticipated triumph for the Moabites becomes their undoing, illustrating the biblical principle that pride and greed often precede a fall, as God turns their expectations into a trap. Persons / Places / Events 1. MoabitesThe Moabites were descendants of Lot and often in conflict with Israel. In this passage, they misinterpret the situation, thinking the Israelites and their allies have turned on each other. 2. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, led by King Jehoram, are part of the coalition against Moab. They are involved in a strategic military campaign. 3. JehoramThe King of Israel at the time, who leads his people in alliance with Judah and Edom against Moab. 4. JehoshaphatThe King of Judah, who joins forces with Jehoram in the battle against Moab. 5. EdomitesAllies of Israel and Judah in this battle, contributing to the coalition against Moab. Teaching Points The Danger of AssumptionsThe Moabites' assumption led to their downfall. We must be cautious about making assumptions without seeking truth and understanding. God's Sovereignty in BattleThis passage illustrates God's control over circumstances, even using confusion to achieve His purposes. Trust in God's sovereignty in our battles. Unity Among BelieversThe alliance of Israel, Judah, and Edom shows the strength found in unity. Believers should seek unity in purpose and action. The Importance of DiscernmentThe Moabites lacked discernment, leading to their defeat. We should pray for discernment to understand situations clearly and act wisely. Relying on God's GuidanceJehoshaphat's involvement reminds us of the importance of seeking God's guidance in our decisions and actions. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we avoid making assumptions like the Moabites did, and what steps can we take to seek truth in our daily lives? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty in our personal battles, and how can this understanding change our perspective on challenges? 3. How does the unity between Israel, Judah, and Edom in this passage inspire us to seek unity within our own communities and churches? 4. What are some practical ways we can develop discernment to better understand and respond to the situations we face? 5. Reflect on a time when you sought God's guidance in a decision. How did that experience shape your faith and trust in Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 7The account of Gideon, where God uses confusion among the enemy to bring victory to Israel, parallels the confusion seen in the Moabites' misinterpretation. 2 Chronicles 20Jehoshaphat's reliance on God in battle is a recurring theme, showing his faith and God's deliverance. Psalm 83A prayer for God to deal with Israel's enemies, reflecting the ongoing struggles and divine interventions in Israel's history. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Blood, Clear, Destroyed, Destruction, Entirely, Fellow, Fighting, Fought, Goods, Kings, Moab, Neighbour, Plunder, Slain, Slaughtered, Smite, Smitten, Spoil, Struck, SurelyDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:16-25 1416 miracles, nature of 2 Kings 3:21-23 4954 morning 2 Kings 3:21-27 5214 attack 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 3:23 NIV2 Kings 3:23 NLT2 Kings 3:23 ESV2 Kings 3:23 NASB2 Kings 3:23 KJV
2 Kings 3:23 Commentaries
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