Moab’s Rebellion

1In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s (YHWH has judged) reign over Judah (praised), Jehoram (Joram)a son of Ahab (father's brother) became king of Israel (he wrestles with God), and he reigned in Samaria (watch mountain) twelve years. 2And he did evil in the sight of the LORD {YHWH}, but not as his father and mother had done. He removed the sacred pillar of Baal (lord) that his father had made.

3Nevertheless, he clung to the sins that Jeroboam (the people will contend) son of Nebat (aspect) had caused Israel (he wrestles with God) to commit; he did not turn away from them.

4Now Mesha (deliverance) king of Moab (of his father) was a sheep breeder (sheepherder),b and he would render to the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. 5But after the death of Ahab (father's brother), the king of Moab (of his father) rebelled against the king of Israel (he wrestles with God). 6So at that time King Jehoram (YHWH is exalted) set out from Samaria (watch mountain) and mobilized all Israel (he wrestles with God). 7And he sent a message to Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) king of Judah (praised): “The king of Moab (of his father) has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?”

“I will go,” replied Jehoshaphat. “I am as you are, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.” 8Then he asked, “Which way shall we go up?”

“By way of the Desert of Edom (red),” replied Joram.

9So the king of Israel (he wrestles with God), the king of Judah (praised), and the king of Edom (red) set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals.

10“Alas,” said the king of Israel (he wrestles with God), “for the LORD {YHWH} has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab (of his father)!”

11But Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD {YHWH} here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.”

And one of the servants of the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) answered, “Elisha (God is salvation) son of Shaphat (He has judged) is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah (He was Elijah’s personal assistant).c”

12Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) affirmed, “The word of the LORD {YHWH} is with him.” So the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom (red) went down to him.

13Elisha, however (God is salvation), said to the king of Israel (he wrestles with God), “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!”

“No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD {YHWH} who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab (of his father).”

14Then Elisha (God is salvation) said, “As surely as the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) king of Judah (praised), I would not look at you or acknowledge you. 15But now, bring me a harpist (a musician).d”

And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD {YHWH} came upon Elisha 16and he said, “This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ 17For the LORD {YHWH} says, ‘You⁺ will not see wind {ruach} or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you⁺ will drink—you⁺ and your⁺ cattle and your⁺ animals.’ 18This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD {YHWH}, and He will also deliver the Moabites (of his father) into your⁺ hand. 19And you⁺ shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You⁺ shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.”

20The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom (red) and filled the land.

21Now all the Moabites (of his father) had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border. 22When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites (of his father) across the way.

23“This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab (of his father)!”

24But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel (he wrestles with God), the Israelites rose up and attacked them (of his father), and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. 25They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth (wall of potsherds) was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well.

26When the king of Moab (of his father) saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom (red), but they could not prevail. 27So he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall.

And there was great fury against the Israelites (And Israel’s fury was great),e so they withdrew and returned to their own land.