Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
2 Kings 3:4-7
B. Mesha of Moab Seeks To Free Moab From Being Tributary To Israel (2 Kings 3:4).
We know from the Moabite Stone that Moab had been tributary to Israel from the time of Omri, but that Mesha was growing in power as Israel declined, and had already begun attempts to throw off Israel's yoke, and impose his own on parts of Israel in Transjordan, while Ahab was busy with fighting the Assyrians and dealing with the Aramaeans. (The Moabite Stone was, of course, written from Moab's point of view, emphasising only the victories as was usual with inscriptions). It would appear, however, that meanwhile he was continuing to pay tribute to Israel so as not to invite repercussions. Now he felt that he was strong enough to cease to pay tribute, and it was that action that stirred Jehoram of Israel into action. As a result of it Jehoram of Israel entered into an alliance with Jehoshaphat.
Analysis.
a Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master, and he rendered to the king of Israel the wool of a hundred thousand lambs, and of a hundred thousand rams (2 Kings 3:4).
b And it came about, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel (2 Kings 3:5).
c And king Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time, and mustered all Israel (2 Kings 3:6).
b And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle?” (2 Kings 3:7 a).
a And he said, “I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses” (2 Kings 3:7 b).
Note that in ‘a' Mesha supplied the king of Israel with large numbers of lams and rams, and in the parallel Jehoshaphat supplied him with people and horses. In ‘b' the king of Moab rebelled against Israel, and in the parallel Jehoram of Israel informed Jehoshaphat of the fact. Centrally in ‘c' the king of Israel gathered his host for the invasion.
‘Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master, and he rendered to the king of Israel the wool of a hundred thousand lambs, and of a hundred thousand rams.'
Mesha was king over Moab, a country prolific in the production of sheep, making Mesha a kind of glorified sheep-master. The term was, however, used at Ugarit of the chief priest. Thus Mesha may here be being seen as the sacral ‘shepherd' of his people (compare Amos 1:1), with a play on the idea in relation to the tribute. While the large totals simply indicate ‘a huge number' it should be noted that they were not said to have been paid yearly, and this may well indicate that he saw this as representing his total tribute of lambs and rams over the whole period of his subjugation (the verb suggests continual rendering). Whichever way it was, as far as he was concerned it was enough. When he looked back and considered how much Moab had paid to Israel through the years he felt that it was time it ceased. He had already commenced his belligerent attitude in the time of Ahab, by retaking Moabite cities, and now he went the whole hog. Recognising that the death of Ahab and the injury to Azariah had weakened Israel he withheld tribute, feeling that he was now strong enough to do so with some safety.
‘The wool of a hundred thousand lambs, and of a hundred thousand rams.' Lambs would not normally be sheared so that this may indicate that they were handed over with their wool still on them, although it may signify the wool of second year lambs. The same may have been the case with the rams, handed over for breeding purposes, ‘the wool' being intended to include the lamb/ram.
‘But it came about, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.'
Thus some time after the death of Ahab Mesha ‘rebelled against Israel'. In other words he withheld tribute, and possibly increased his attacks on Israelite territory.
‘And king Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time, and mustered all Israel.'
Mesha's other previous activities had been annoying, but this was the last straw, and once Jehoram was settled on his throne he determined to bring Mesha to heel. Consequently he mustered the host of Israel (‘all Israel'). Most armies in that region were composed of farmers (or shepherds and suchlike) who temporarily became soldiers (even though for many conditions were such that they were not short of experience in fighting, especially those who lived near the borders), although in larger countries these were often supplemented by a small permanent army.
‘And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle?” And he said, “I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
Jehoram of Israel also appealed to Jehoshaphat, who had regularly been Israel's ally during the reign of Ahab, for assistance, presumably on the basis of their treaty. Jehoshaphat's son (also Jehoram) was married to Jehoram of Israel's sister. So Jehoram of Israel had no hesitation in asking him for assistance in subduing Moab. Jehoshaphat was very willing, and assured Jehoram of Israel that all his forces were at his disposal. He no doubt recognised that there would be good spoil to be had for all.