_A.M. 3108. B.C. 896._
The character of Jehoram, 2 Kings 3:1. He and his allies invade Moab,
2 Kings 3:4. Their distress and relief, 2 Kings 3:9. Their success, 2
Kings 3:21. The king of Moab sacrifices his son, and they retire, _2Ki
3:26, 2 Kings 3:27._... [ Continue Reading ]
_He put away the image of Baal_ It was much that his mother, who had
brought this worship with her from the Zidonians, should suffer him to
remove this image; but she was probably a little daunted at the many
disasters which had befallen their family, and was contented with
worshipping Baal in priva... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mesha, king of Moab, was a sheep-master_ The riches, not only of
private men, but also of kings, in ancient times, consisted much in
sheep and cattle. And this king of Moab had abundance of them, which
imboldened and enabled him to rebel against his sovereign. _And
rendered to the king of Israel a... [ Continue Reading ]
_King Jehoram went out and numbered all Israel_ As soon as he was
settled in his kingdom, his first business was to raise an army to
reduce Moab to obedience, and to engage Jehoshaphat to join him as an
ally. _And he said, I will go up_ Jehoshaphat unites with him in this
war; because the war was ju... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king of Edom_ Properly speaking, there was no king at this time
in Edom, as we read in the last chapter of the foregoing book, 1 Kings
22:47; but the viceroy, under Jehoshaphat, is here called king, that
word being often used for any prince or chief ruler. _Of seven days'
journey_ Because they... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king of Israel said, Alas_, &c. He did not cry to God for help,
but only bewailed the straits into which they were fallen; which his
own guilt made him imagine God had brought to pass for their
destruction. _Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet_ This he
should have asked before, when t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The word of the Lord is with him_ He is a true prophet, and the Lord
declares his will by him. Undoubtedly he had been informed how Elijah
had chosen him his successor; how he had attended him till he was
taken up into heaven, and what wonders he had already done. _So the
king of Israel and Jehosha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I_, &c.? I desire not to
have any discourse with thee. _Get thee to the prophet of thy father,_
&c. Seek counsel and help of thy false prophets and of their gods, the
_calves_, which thou, after thy father's example, worshippest; and the
_Baals_, which t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat_ Whom I
reverence and love for his piety, and therefore for his sake will
inquire of the Lord for you all. It is good being with those who
possess God's favour and the love of his people. Wicked men often fare
the better for the friendship and s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now bring me a minstrel_ One that can sing and play well upon an
instrument of music. This he requires, that his mind, which had been
disturbed at the sight of idolatrous Jehoram, might be composed, and
that he might be excited to more fervent prayer, and thereby be
prepared to receive the propheti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Make this valley full of ditches_ Which may receive the water and
retain it, for the use of men and beasts. They that expect God's
blessings, must prepare room for them. _Ye shall not see wind_ Any of
those winds which commonly bring rain. _Seeing_ is here put for
_perceiving_ or _feeling;_ the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord_ But a small
favour in comparison of what he intends to do for you, for
Jehoshaphat's sake. He will give you more than you expect or ask. For
they were so weakened and discouraged by the great drought, that they
had no hopes of proceeding in the of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye shall smite_, &c. If this command seem severe, it must be
considered that the Moabites were a very wicked people, perfidious,
cruel, and implacable enemies to God's people upon all occasions, and
now in a state of rebellion. But these words are rather to be
considered as a prediction of their su... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the morning when the meat-offering was offered_ That is, at the
time of the morning sacrifice, which doubtless was attended with the
solemn prayers of God's people. At this time Elisha joined his prayers
with the prayers of God's people, especially those at Jerusalem. And
this time God chose to... [ Continue Reading ]
_All that were able to put on armour and upward_ That is, from youths,
that were but just able to put on armour, to those that were far
advanced in life; so that none were exempted. _And stood in the border
_
Of their country, intending to defend themselves, but not to march out
of their country to... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sun shone upon the water_, &c. They stood in such a situation,
when they looked at the water, that those rays of the sun which gave a
red colour, were reflected from the water to their eyes; or the light
of the morning sun shining upon the water, through the vapours that
arose from the earth, g... [ Continue Reading ]
_They went forward, smiting the Moabites, even in their country _ They
pursued them to their own country, and entered it with and after them;
the passes, which the Moabites had before defended, being now open to
them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They stopped all the wells of water_, &c. These, in all probability,
are hyperbolical expressions, signifying the great devastation which
they made. _Only in Kir-haraseth left they the stones thereof_ This
was the royal city of Moab, into which the remnant of the Moabites
were gathered, and where a... [ Continue Reading ]
_He took with him seven hundred men to break through_, &c. He made a
sally with seven hundred stout men, upon the quarter of the king of
Edom, which he thought the weakest side, hoping to break through and
escape. But they were repulsed, and compelled to retreat.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He took his eldest son and offered him for a burnt-offering upon the
walls_ “Not only the Holy Scriptures, but several heathen writers
assure us, that in case of great extremity, it was customary among
various people to sacrifice to their gods whatever was most dear to
them.” Eusebius and Luctantiu... [ Continue Reading ]