_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 ]