2 Kings 3:1 NIV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Kings 3:1

THE "THREE KINGS" AT WAR AGAINST MOABThe Moabite Stone (discovered in 1868) has a parallel account of events in this chapter from the viewpoint of Mesha (2 Kings 3:4), the Moabite king who authored the inscription on that stone. Dentan said of this stone that, "It is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time (it may be seen in the Louvre in Paris) and provides interesting confirmation of the situation presupposed by this chapter."[1] This writer prefers the viewpoint that this... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 3:1

1, 2. Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat—(compare :-). To reconcile the statements in the two passages, we must suppose that Ahaziah, having reigned during the seventeenth and the greater part of the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, was succeeded by his brother Joram or Jehoram, in the end of that eighteenth year, or else that Ahaziah, having reigned two years in conjunction with his father, died at the end of that period when... 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 3:1

III.THE REIGN OF JEHORAM OF ISRAEL, AND HIS EXPEDITION AGAINST MOAB, IN WHICH JEHOSHAPHAT OF JUDAH TAKES PART.(1) Began to reign.—Literally, reigned.The eighteenth year.—Comp. Note on 2 Kings 1:17; 2 Kings 8:16. 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 3:1

3:1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the {a} eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.(a) Read the annotation in 2 Kings 1:17. 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