2 Kings 3:1-27
JEHORAM AND ELISHA. VICTORY OVER MOAB 1. THE EIGHTEENTH YEAR OF JEHOSHAPHAT] according to 2 Kings 1:17, 'in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat.'... [ Continue Reading ]
JEHORAM AND ELISHA. VICTORY OVER MOAB 1. THE EIGHTEENTH YEAR OF JEHOSHAPHAT] according to 2 Kings 1:17, 'in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THE IMAGE OF BAAL] RV 'the pillar of Baal.' No mention is made of this in the account of Ahab's reign; but it is stated that Ahab erected an altar for Baal (1 Kings 16:32), beside which the pillar here alluded to was doubtless raised. For the significance of such pillars see on 1 Kings 7:15. That Je... [ Continue Reading ]
MESHA] see on Numbers 21:29. This king, in his inscription on the Moabite Stone, refers to the affliction which his country suffered from Israel, and to the war which put an end to it, though he places the latter in the time of Ahab. LAMBS.. RAMS] For a tribute, or present, of sheep from Moab cp. Is... [ Continue Reading ]
SENT TO JEHOSHAPHAT] see on 1 Kings 22:2; Jehoshaphat himself had been attacked by the Moabites (2 Chronicles 20:1). 8. WHICH WAY SHALL WE GO?] The usual route from Israel would be across the fords of the Jordan near Jericho, Moab being then invaded from the north. THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OF EDOM] i... [ Continue Reading ]
FETCHED A COMPASS] RV 'made a circuit.'... [ Continue Reading ]
POURED WATER ON THE HANDS OF] i.e. acted as his attendant. In the East water is still poured over the hands after eating, since the fingers generally serve as forks.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WOULD NOT LOOK TOWARD THEE] Jehoram was not only the son of the idolatrous Ahab, but is described in 2 Kings 3:2 as having done evil in the sight of the LORD. At a later date, however, Elisha's attitude towards him changed: cp. chapter 6.... [ Continue Reading ]
BRING ME A MINSTREL] For the connexion of music with prophecy cp. 1 Samuel 10:5. The hand of the LORD] cp. Ezekiel 33:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
VALLEY] The Heb. means a ravine or water-course which was then dry—possibly the Wady el Ahsa. DITCHES] RV 'trenches'.: to retain the promised water for drinking purposes.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER SHALL YE SEE RAIN] It is not implied that the water would be produced by any other means than rain, but the rain would fall at a distance: cp. 2 Kings 3:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE MEAT OFFERING WAS OFFERED] i.e. the daily morning sacrifice at Jerusalem: cp. 1 Kings 18:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
As RED AS BLOOD] Coloured by the red soil of Edom (Edom meaning 'red'), or reflecting the red tints of the morning sky.... [ Continue Reading ]
Filled it] thereby rendering it useless for tillage or pasture. KIR-HARASETH] probably the Kir of Isaiah 15:1 and the Kir-heres of Jeremiah 48:31; Jeremiah 48:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING OF EDOM] probably in the hope that he, as a discontented vassal of Judah, would connive at his escape.... [ Continue Reading ]
_FOR_ A BURNT OFFERING] presumably to Chemosh, the Moabite deity. Human sacrifices in ancient times prevailed amongst most Semitic nations; but the offering of a son or daughter must generally have been confined to occasions when some great offence had to be atoned for (cp. Micah 6:7) or some great... [ Continue Reading ]