went forward. Some codices, &c, add "still further", and connect this with entering. Other codices, with six early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, connect these words with the smiting, and read "still further smote", or "went on smiting". read more
God’s victory over the Moabites ch. 3Even though Jehoram was better spiritually than Ahab (2 Kings 3:2), he was still so much of an idolater that Elisha had no use for him (2 Kings 3:13-14).Mesha had rebelled against Israel earlier (2 Kings 3:3), but he continued to do so. This uprising led to the alliance and battle the writer described in this chapter. Jehoram evidently sought an alliance with Jehoshaphat because he wanted to cross Judean territory to get to Moab. [Note: Stigers, p. 343.] The... read more
Jehoram and Elisha. Victory over Moab1. The eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat] according to 2 Kings 1:17, ’in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat.’2. 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 Jehoram’s religious reformation was not very... read more
(24) Smote the Moabites.—Who were unprepared for resistance.But they went forward smiting . . . country.—The Hebrew text (Kethib) has, and he went (way-yâbô, spelt defectively, as in 1 Kings 12:12) into it (i.e., the land of Moab), and smote (literally, smiting an infinitive for a finite form) Moab. This is better than the Hebrew margin (Qeri), and they smote it (i.e. Moab), or the reading of some MSS. and the Targum and Syriac, “and they smote them, and smote Moab,” which is tautologous. The... read more
THE INVASION OF MOAB2 Kings 3:4-27"What reinforcement we may gain from hope, If not, what resolution from despair."-MILTON, "Paradise Lost, " 1:190AHAZIAH, as Elijah had warned him, never recovered from the injuries received in his fall through the lattice, and after his brief and luckless reign died without a child. He was succeeded by his brother Jehoram ("Jehovah is exalted"), who reigned for twelve years.Jehoram began well. Though it is said that he did that which was evil in the sight of... read more
2. Jehoram, Moab, and Elisha CHAPTER 3 1. Jehoram, King of Israel (2 Kings 3:1-3 ) 2. Moab’s rebellion (2 Kings 3:4-9 ) 3. Elisha’s message and prediction (2 Kings 3:10-20 ) 4. The defeat of Moab (2 Kings 3:21-27 ) In chapter 1:17 we read, “And Jehoram reigned in his stead (Ahaziah) in the second year of Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah.” (He was associated with his father in the government of the kingdom. See 2 Kings 8:27 ; 2 Chronicles 21:6 .) There was, therefore, a... read more
3:24 And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they {p} went forward smiting the Moabites, even in [their] country.(p) Meaning, they followed them into the towns. read more
JEHORAM, JEHOSHAPHAT AND MOAB (vv.1-27) Jehoram, Ahab's son, reigned, over Israel 12 years and followed the sinful example of Jereboam, though not doing so wickedly as Ahab, for he got rid of the idolatrous pillar of Baal that Ahab had made. Moab had been put under tribute to Israel, the Israelites requiring from Moab 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams, regularly, no doubt every year (v.4). But when Ahab died the king of Moab rebelled against Israel, evidently refusing to render... read more
ELISHA ’S MINISTRY BEGINS MANEUVERING AN ARMY (2 Kings 3:0 ) The incident about Mesha (2 Kings 3:4-5 ) is interesting from the point of view of Biblical criticism. This is the only time he is mentioned in Sacred Writ and his name does not appear in profane history. For this cause objectors to the Bible have demanded proof of his existence at the time named. Also, was Moab noted for its wool? Was it tributary to Israel at this period? Did this rebellion occur? etc. It was impossible to... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 3:1-27
Elisha helps in the defeat of Moab (3:1-27)Joram (or Jehoram) succeeded his brother Ahaziah in Israel. He was not as bad as his father Ahab, and at least showed some displeasure with Baal worship by removing a sacred pillar that his father had built (3:1-3).After Ahab’s death, Moab had revolted against Israelite rule and refused to pay tribute, but Ahaziah did nothing about it (see 1:1). Joram tried to recover this valuable source of income by a military attack in which he had the support of... read more