IN THE EIGHTEENTH YEAR OF JEHOSHAPHAT - This date agrees exactly with the statements that Jehoshaphat began to reign in the fourth year of Ahab 1 Kings 22:41, and Ahaziah in the 17th year of Jehoshaphat 1 Kings 22:51.... [ Continue Reading ]
On the “evil” done by Ahab, see especially 1 Kings 16:30. Jehoram, warned by the fate of his brother (2 Kings 1:4 note), began his reign by a formal abolition of the Phoenician state religion introduced by Ahab - even if he connived at its continuance among the people 2 Kings 10:26; and by a re-esta... [ Continue Reading ]
Moab, the region immediately east of the Dead Sea and of the lower Jordan, though in part suited for agriculture, is in the main a great grazing country. Mesha resembled a modern Arab Sheikh, whose wealth is usually estimated by the number of his flocks and herds. His tribute of the wool of 100, 000... [ Continue Reading ]
The close alliance between the two kingdoms still subsisted. Jehoram therefore sends confidently to make the same request with respect to Moab that his father had made two years before with respect to Syria (marginal reference). Jehoshaphat consented at once, notwithstanding that his former complian... [ Continue Reading ]
The readiest and most natural “way” was across the Jordan near Jericho into the Arboth-Moab, and then along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea to Moab proper, the tract south of the Arnon. But the way chosen was that which led to the Edomite country, namely, round the southern extremity of the Dead S... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN DAYS’ JOURNEY - The distance of the route probably followed is not much more than 100 miles. But the difficulties of the way are great; and the army might not be able to move along it at a faster rate than about 15 miles a day. NO WATER - The kings had probably expected to find sufficient wat... [ Continue Reading ]
A PROPHET OF THE LORD - i. e. of Yahweh. It was necessary to inquire thus definitely, as there were still plenty of prophets who were only prophets of Baal 2 Kings 3:13. HERE IS ELISHA - Jehoram appears to have been ignorant of his presence with the host, and one of his “servants,” or officers, ans... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehoram’s humility in seeking 2 Kings 3:12 instead of summoning Elisha, does not save him from rebuke. His reformation 2 Kings 3:2 had been but a half reformation - a compromise with idolatry. NAY: FOR THE LORD HATH CALLED ... - The force of this reply seems to be - “Nay, reproach me not, since I a... [ Continue Reading ]
Music seems to have been a regular accompaniment of prophecy in the “schools of the prophets” (marginal reference), and an occasional accompaniment of it elsewhere Exodus 15:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
DITCHES - Or “pits” Jeremiah 14:3. They were to dig pits in the broad valley or wady, wherein the water might remain, instead of flowing off down the torrent course.... [ Continue Reading ]
No rain was to fall where the Israelites and their enemies were encamped; there was not even to be that all but universal accompaniment of rain in the East, a sudden rise of wind (compare 1 Kings 18:45; Psalms 147:18; Matthew 7:25). CATTLE, AND YOUR BEAST - The former are the animals brought for fo... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL FELL EVERY GOOD TREE - This is not an infringement of the rule laid down in Deuteronomy 20:19. The Israelites were not forbidden to fell the fruit trees in an enemy’s country, as a part of the ravage of war, when they had no thoughts of occupying the country. The plan of thus injuring an en... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE MEAT OFFERING WAS OFFERED - i. e. about sunrise, when the morning sacrifice was offered. Compare 1 Kings 18:29. THERE CAME WATER BY THE WAY OF EDOM - The Wady-el-Ahsy drains a considerable portion of northern Edom. Heavy rain had fallen during the night in some part of this tract, and with... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STOOD IN THE BORDER - On the north side of the wady, ready to defend their territory.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sun had risen with a ruddy light, as is frequently the case after a storm (compare Matthew 16:3), nearly over the Israelite camp, and the pits, deep but with small mouths, gleaming redly through the haze which would lie along the newly moistened valley, seemed to the Moabites like pools of blood... [ Continue Reading ]
Kir-Haraseth, also Kir-Hareseth, is identified almost certainly with the modern Kerak, a strong city on the highland immediately east of the southern part of the Dead Sea. It was the great fortress of Moab, though not the capital, which was Rabbath or Rabbah. It was an important strong-hold at the t... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BREAK THROUGH, EVEN UNTO THE KING OF EDOM - Either because he thought that the king of Edom would connive at his escape or to take vengeance on him for having deserted his former allies (2 Kings 3:8 note).... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the marginal reference. Mesha, when his sally failed, took, as a last resource, his first born son, and offered him as a burnt-offering to appease the manifest anger of his god Chemosh, and obtain his aid against his enemies. This act was thoroughly in accordance with Moabitish notions. AND... [ Continue Reading ]