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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 3:27

27. took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering, c.—By this deed of horror, to which the allied army drove the king of Moab, a divine judgment came upon Israel that is, the besiegers feared the anger of God, which they had incurred by giving occasion to the human sacrifice forbidden in the law (Leviticus 18:21; Leviticus 20:3), and hastily raised the siege. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Kings 3:1-27

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

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 3:1-27

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 3:26

(26) The battle was too sore for him.—The garrison was giving way under the destructive fire of the slingers.To break through even unto the king of Edom.—Because the Edomite contingent seemed to be the most vulnerable point in the allied army, or because he hoped that these unwilling allies of Israel would allow him to escape through their ranks. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 3:27

(27) Then.—And.His eldest son—i.e., the despairing king of Moab took his own son and heir.Offered him for a burnt offering.—To Chemosh, without doubt, by way of appeasing that wrath of the god which seemed bent on his destruction. (Comp. the words of Mesha’s inscription: “Chemosh was angry with his ląnd.” Note, 2 Kings 1:1.) There is a reference to such hideous sacrifices in Micah 6:7, “Shall I give my firstborn for my transgressions?” In dark times of national calamity the Hebrews were prone,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 3:1-27

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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Kings 3:1-27

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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Kings 3:27

3:27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and {r} offered him [for] a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to [their own] land.(r) Some refer it to the king of Edom’s son, whom they say he had taken in that skirmish: but rather it seemed to be his own son, whom he offered to his gods to pacify them: which barbarous cruelty moved the Israelites hearts of pity to depart. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 3:1-27

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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 3:1-27

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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