But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. But when the Moabites came to the camp of IsraelThe Moabites, descendants of Lot, were often in conflict with Israel. Historically, Moab was located east of the Dead Sea, and its people were known for their idolatry and opposition to Israel. The phrase indicates a moment of confrontation, where the Moabites, perhaps emboldened by their numbers or strategy, approached the Israelite camp. This reflects the ongoing tension and warfare between the two nations, rooted in both territorial disputes and spiritual opposition. the Israelites rose up and attacked the Moabites
The Israelites, God's chosen people, were often called to rise up against their enemies. The Hebrew root for "rose up" (קוּם, qum) implies a decisive action, a divine empowerment to stand against adversaries. This phrase signifies a turning point where the Israelites, under divine guidance, take the initiative in battle. It reflects the biblical theme of God empowering His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. who fled before them
The Moabites' flight indicates a sudden reversal of fortune. In ancient warfare, morale was crucial, and the Moabites' retreat suggests a loss of confidence and divine favor. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that those who oppose God's people ultimately face defeat. It also highlights the power of God working through Israel, causing their enemies to scatter. So Israel invaded the land
The term "invaded" suggests a forceful entry and occupation. In the context of ancient Near Eastern warfare, this would involve not only military conquest but also the assertion of dominance over the land. This action by Israel is seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to give them victory over their enemies, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and Israel. and slaughtered the Moabites
The word "slaughtered" conveys the totality of the victory. In the Hebrew context, such a term (הִכָּה, hikah) often implies a divinely sanctioned judgment. This reflects the severity of God's justice against those who oppose His will and His people. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of enmity with God and His chosen nation. Persons / Places / Events 1. MoabitesA nation descended from Moab, the son of Lot. They were often in conflict with Israel. 2. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, God's chosen nation, who were in conflict with the Moabites in this passage. 3. The Camp of IsraelThe location where the Israelites were encamped and from which they launched their attack. 4. The BattleThe event where the Israelites rose up against the Moabites, leading to their victory and the Moabites' retreat. 5. The Invasion and SlaughterThe aftermath of the battle where the Israelites pursued and defeated the Moabites in their land. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in BattleThe victory of the Israelites over the Moabites demonstrates God's control over the outcomes of battles. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty in their own struggles. The Importance of ObedienceThe Israelites' success was contingent upon their obedience to God's commands. This serves as a reminder of the blessings that come from following God's will. The Consequences of SinThe Moabites' defeat can be seen as a consequence of their opposition to God's people. This highlights the broader biblical theme of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. Spiritual WarfareJust as the Israelites rose up against their physical enemies, Christians are called to rise up against spiritual enemies, using the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6. Community and UnityThe Israelites acted as a unified force against the Moabites. This unity is a powerful example for the church today, emphasizing the strength found in community and collective action. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the victory of the Israelites over the Moabites in 2 Kings 3:24 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises? 2. In what ways can the account of the Israelites' battle against the Moabites inspire us to face our own spiritual battles? 3. How does the theme of obedience in this passage relate to other biblical accounts of victory and defeat? 4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' unity and collective action in this passage, and how can we apply these lessons to our church communities today? 5. How does the recurring conflict between Israel and Moab throughout the Bible illustrate the ongoing struggle between God's people and the forces of opposition? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 3:12-30This passage describes an earlier conflict between Israel and Moab, highlighting the recurring nature of their hostilities. Psalm 60:8This verse mentions Moab as a "washbasin," symbolizing subjugation, which connects to the theme of Israel's dominance over Moab. Isaiah 15-16These chapters prophesy the downfall of Moab, providing a broader context for the ongoing conflict between Moab and Israel. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Attack, Attacked, Attacking, Camp, Enter, Entered, Face, Fled, Flee, Flight, Forward, Fought, Invaded, Israelites, Mightily, Moab, Moabites, Rise, Rose, Slaughtered, Slaughtering, Smite, Smiting, Smote, Struck, Tents, Till, ViolentDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:24 5244 camp
5354 invasions 2 Kings 3:16-25 1416 miracles, nature of 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 3:24 NIV2 Kings 3:24 NLT2 Kings 3:24 ESV2 Kings 3:24 NASB2 Kings 3:24 KJV
2 Kings 3:24 Commentaries
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