ISRAEL
Text: 2 Kings 3
9 February 2010
(I) ISRAEL
1. Death of King Ahab (1 Kings 22:34-40)
2. Ahaziah succeeded his father (1 Kings 22:40)
a) He went to consult Baalzebub when he was seriously ill
b) His death was predicted by Elijah (2 Kings 1:4)
c) He died according to Elijah’s word (2 Kings 1:17)
d) He reigned only 2 years (1 Kings 22:51)
3. Jehoram, the brother of Ahaziah succeeded him (1 Kings 22:51; 2 Kings 3:1)
4. Brief description of Jehoram’s reign
a) Reigned 12years (2 Kings 3:1)
b) Did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 3:2)
c) Persisted in the sins of Jeroboam (2 Kings 3:3)
d) He did put away the pillars of Baal king Ahab made (2 Kings 3:2)
(II) MOAB
1. Tributary of Israel in the reign of King Ahab (2 Kings 3:4)
a) 100,000 lambs (2 Kings 3:4a)
b) Wool of 100,000 rams (2 Kings 3:4b)
2. Mesha, king of Moab rebelled after the death of King Ahab (2 Kings 3:5)
(III) ISRAEL AND JUDAH (COALITION)
1. King Jehoram sought the help of King Jehoshaphat of Judah (2 Kings 3:7)
2. Jehoshaphat readily agreed to joined forces with Jehoram (2 Kings 3:7)
(IV) ISRAEL, JUDAH AND EDOM
The king of Edom was pulled in to help attack Moab (2 Kings 3:9)
(V) MARCHING AGAINST MOAH
1. Seven day route march (2 Kings 3:9b)
2. Supply water ran out (2 Kings 3:9c)
3. Lament of Jehoram
“Alas! For the LORD has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 2 Kings 3:10
(VI) ADVICE OF KING JEHOSHAPHAT
“Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?” 2 Kings 3:11a
(VII) ELISHA –AS A PROPHET OF NATIONAL STATURE
1. Introduced by one of the servants of King Jehoram
“Elisha the son of Shphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah” 2 Kings 2:11b
2. Jehoshaphat’s comment
“The word of the LORD is with him” 2 Kings 3:12a
3. Three kings went to consult Elisha (2 Kings 3:12b)
4. Exchange of word between Elisha and King Jehoram
a) Elisha’s opening words
“What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.” 2 Kings 3:13a
b) King Jehoram’s reply
“No, for the LORD has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 2 Kings 3:13b
c) Elisha’s declaration
“As the LORD of host lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of
Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” 2 Kings 3:14
d) Employment of music/musician (2 Kings 3:15)
To help create peace of heart and mind to discern the Lord’s word
(VIII) MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE BY GOD
“A simple matter in the sight of the LORD” 2 Kings 3:18
1. Ditches to be dug (2 Kings 3:16)
2. Water will be Divinely supplied to meet the needs of the Coalition army (2 Kings 3:17, 20)
3. Divine command to destroy Moab (2 Kings 3:19)
4. Response of Moab to news of being attacked by the collation of three kings
a) They saw the water as blood (2 Kings 3:21-22)
b) They concluded that the three kings had attacked each other (2 Kings3:23)
c) They mounted an attack (2 Kings 3:24a)
(IX) BATTLE JOINED
1. Moabite army fled (2 Kings 3:24b)
2. Moabite cities destroyed (2 Kings 3:25a)
3. Capital of Moab, Kir Haraseth, besieged (2 Kings 3:25d)
4. Desperate plan of king of Mesha
a) Tried to break through the defence line of the Edomites but failed (2 Kings 3:26)
b) Sacrificed his eldest son, the crown prince to the Moabite god Chemosh in public view (2 Kings 3:27a) (ultimate sacrifice)
c) This effort was in vain
d) Moabites felt great indignation towards Israel (2 Kings 3:27b)
(X) WAR ENDED ON A NEGATIVE NOTE
“So they departed from him and returned to their own land.” 2 Kings 3:27c
1. Elisha’s word was not obeyed (2 Kings 3:18-I9)
2. The coalition army disbanded tamely!