The alliance of Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, and the King of Edom is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 3. This coalition was formed during the reign of Jehoram, the son of Ahab, who was the king of Israel. Jehoram's reign is marked by his efforts to consolidate power and address the rebellion of Moab against Israelite dominance.

Background and Context

Jehoram ascended to the throne of Israel after the death of his brother Ahaziah. The Moabites, under King Mesha, had been subjugated by Israel and were required to pay a substantial tribute. However, upon Ahab's death, Mesha saw an opportunity to rebel and ceased paying the tribute, which consisted of "a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams" (2 Kings 3:4).

In response to this rebellion, Jehoram sought to reassert Israel's control over Moab. Recognizing the need for a formidable military force, he reached out to Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, and the unnamed king of Edom to form a strategic alliance. Jehoshaphat, known for his piety and previous alliances with the house of Ahab, agreed to join Jehoram in the campaign against Moab.

The March to Moab

The allied forces decided to take a circuitous route through the Desert of Edom, a decision that would prove challenging. After seven days of marching, the armies found themselves without water for the troops and their animals. In desperation, Jehoram lamented, "Has the LORD called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hand of Moab?" (2 Kings 3:10).

Jehoshaphat, demonstrating his reliance on divine guidance, inquired if there was a prophet of the LORD present. Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, was among them. Despite his disdain for Jehoram, Elisha agreed to seek the LORD's counsel out of respect for Jehoshaphat.

Divine Intervention and Victory

Elisha instructed the kings to dig ditches throughout the valley, promising that the LORD would fill them with water without rain or wind. The next morning, water miraculously flowed from Edom, providing relief to the parched armies. Additionally, the Moabites, seeing the sun's reflection on the water, mistook it for blood and assumed the allied forces had turned on each other. This misjudgment led them to attack prematurely, resulting in their defeat.

The Israelites, bolstered by divine intervention, pursued the Moabites, devastating their cities, fields, and water sources. The campaign culminated in a desperate act by King Mesha, who sacrificed his firstborn son on the city wall, causing great indignation among the Israelites and leading them to withdraw.

Theological and Historical Significance

The alliance of Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, and the King of Edom highlights the complexities of political and military alliances in the ancient Near East. It underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance in times of crisis, as exemplified by Jehoshaphat's inquiry for a prophet. The miraculous provision of water and the subsequent victory serve as a testament to God's sovereignty and ability to deliver His people, even when circumstances seem dire.

This event also illustrates the consequences of rebellion against divine authority, as seen in the fate of Moab. The alliance, while temporary, reflects the broader narrative of Israel's tumultuous relationship with neighboring nations and the enduring need for faithfulness to God's covenant.