And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches ; rather, full of pits ( βοθύβους , LXX .). The object was to detain the water which would otherwise have all run off down the torrent-course in a very little time. read more
The valley full of ditches. Two troubles had come upon Israel at this time. The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom were gone forth to battle against the King of Moab. Strife is an evil between nations or individuals. It takes years for a nation to recover from the devastating effects of war. Terrible is the destruction of life and property which war causes. To the horrors and perils of war in this case was added a fresh difficulty. Their armies, passing through the desert, had no water to... read more
For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see —i.e; perceive— wind, neither shall ye see rain. Wind and rain usually go together in the East, especially when there is sudden heavy rain after a time of drought. What Elisha promises is a heavy storm of wind accompanied by violent rain, which, however, will be at such a distance that the Israelites will see nothing of it, but whereof they will experience the effects when the torrent-course that separates them from the Moabite country suddenly... read more
And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord. God, the Author of nature, has full control over nature, and it is an easy matter for him to produce at will any natural phenomena. It is otherwise when the stubborn element of the human will is brought into play. Then difficulty may arise. He will deliver the Moabites also into your hand. It would be better to translate, he will also deliver (see the Revised Version). read more
The defeat of Moab. This also was foretold by Elisha as a mercy from the Lord, in comparison with which the supply of water was "a light thing." If these are God's "light things," surely we need not fear to ask from him all that we require. Our sin is, not in asking too much, but in asking too little ( John 16:24 ). "He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" ( Ephesians 3:20 ). I. LOST THROUGH ILLUSION . The manner in which the defeat of the Moabites... read more
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. read more
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 food. The latter are the baggage animals. read more
2 Kings 3:16-17 . 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 words belonging to one sense, being frequently applied to another. Neither shall ye see rain Elijah, by prayer, obtained water from the sea and clouds: but Elisha fetches it nobody... read more
2 Kings 3:18. 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 offensive war, and thought it sufficient, if it were possible, to defend themselves from the Moabites, 2 Kings 3:13. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 3:13-27
Aspects of a godly man. "And Elisha said unto the King of Israel, What have I to do with thee?' etc. Elisha was confessedly a godly man of a high type, and these verses reveal him to us in three aspects. I. AS RISING SUPERIOR TO KINGS . When these three kings—Jehoshaphat the King of Judah, Jehoram the King of Israel, and the King of Edom—approached Elisha, was he overawed by their splendor? or was he elated by their visit? No. He was no flunkey ; no true man ever is. Here... read more