2 Kings 3:9

WHEN DISASTER THREATENED; THE KINGS WENT TO ELISHA

"So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom; and they made a circuit of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, nor for the beasts that followed them. And the king of Israel said, Alas! for Jehovah hath called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab. But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, that we may inquire of Jehovah by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah. And Jehoshaphat said, The word of Jehovah is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him."

"They made a circuit of seven days' journey" (2 Kings 3:9). Their route of attack against Moab was down the western shore of the Dead Sea, around the southern end of that sea and through the territory of Edom toward Moab. When they came to the border of Moab, which was the Wady es-Ahsy they fully expected plenty of water from the perennial stream, but an extended drought in Edom had dried it up, and the whole host of the three kings was threatened with death by thirst! It was a crisis of unbelievable magnitude.

"Jehovah hath called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab" (2 Kings 3:10). This statement by the king of Israel was that of an unbeliever. Any threatening disaster he was ready to attribute to Israel's true God, but, fortunately, Jehoshaphat was a man of greater faith.

"Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah?" (2 Kings 3:11). It is remarkable that Jehoram was ignorant of Elisha's presence in the host, but one of his servants told him that the prophet was among them. Having learned this, Jehoshaphat at once stated that the word of Jehovah was with Elisha, and the three kings decided to consult him.

"And they went down to him" (2 Kings 3:12). Jehoram might have thought of sending for Elisha, but the three kings were in dire straits and decided to humble themselves and go to the prophet rather than demanding that the prophet come to them. After all, when terrible death threatens, many an erstwhile unbeliever turns in meekness and humility to God who alone determines the issues of life and death.