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ISRAEL

Text: 2 Kings 3
9 February 2010

(I) ISRAEL

1. Death of King Ahab (1 Kings 22:34-40)

2. Ahaziah succeeded his father (1 Kings 22:40)

a) He went to consult Baalzebub when he was seriously ill

b) His death was predicted by Elijah (2 Kings 1:4)

c) He died according to Elijah’s word (2 Kings 1:17)

d) He reigned only 2 years (1 Kings 22:51)

3. Jehoram, the brother of Ahaziah succeeded him (1 Kings 22:51; 2 Kings 3:1)

4. Brief description of Jehoram’s reign

a) Reigned 12years (2 Kings 3:1)

b) Did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 3:2)

c) Persisted in the sins of Jeroboam (2 Kings 3:3)

d) He did put away the pillars of Baal king Ahab made (2 Kings 3:2)

(II) MOAB

1. Tributary of Israel in the reign of King Ahab (2 Kings 3:4)

a) 100,000 lambs (2 Kings 3:4a)

b) Wool of 100,000 rams (2 Kings 3:4b)

2. Mesha, king of Moab rebelled after the death of King Ahab (2 Kings 3:5)

(III) ISRAEL AND JUDAH (COALITION)

1. King Jehoram sought the help of King Jehoshaphat of Judah (2 Kings 3:7)

2. Jehoshaphat readily agreed to joined forces with Jehoram (2 Kings 3:7)

(IV) ISRAEL, JUDAH AND EDOM

The king of Edom was pulled in to help attack Moab (2 Kings 3:9)

(V) MARCHING AGAINST MOAH

1. Seven day route march (2 Kings 3:9b)

2. Supply water ran out (2 Kings 3:9c)

3. Lament of Jehoram

“Alas! For the LORD has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 2 Kings 3:10

(VI) ADVICE OF KING JEHOSHAPHAT

“Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?” 2 Kings 3:11a

(VII) ELISHA –AS A PROPHET OF NATIONAL STATURE

1. Introduced by one of the servants of King Jehoram

“Elisha the son of Shphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah” 2 Kings 2:11b

2. Jehoshaphat’s comment

“The word of the LORD is with him” 2 Kings 3:12a

3. Three kings went to consult Elisha (2 Kings 3:12b)

4. Exchange of word between Elisha and King Jehoram

a) Elisha’s opening words

“What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.” 2 Kings 3:13a

b) King Jehoram’s reply

“No, for the LORD has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 2 Kings 3:13b

c) Elisha’s declaration

“As the LORD of host lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of

Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” 2 Kings 3:14

d) Employment of music/musician (2 Kings 3:15)

To help create peace of heart and mind to discern the Lord’s word

(VIII) MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE BY GOD

“A simple matter in the sight of the LORD” 2 Kings 3:18

1. Ditches to be dug (2 Kings 3:16)

2. Water will be Divinely supplied to meet the needs of the Coalition army (2 Kings 3:17, 20)

3. Divine command to destroy Moab (2 Kings 3:19)

4. Response of Moab to news of being attacked by the collation of three kings

a) They saw the water as blood (2 Kings 3:21-22)

b) They concluded that the three kings had attacked each other (2 Kings3:23)

c) They mounted an attack (2 Kings 3:24a)

(IX) BATTLE JOINED

1. Moabite army fled (2 Kings 3:24b)

2. Moabite cities destroyed (2 Kings 3:25a)

3. Capital of Moab, Kir Haraseth, besieged (2 Kings 3:25d)

4. Desperate plan of king of Mesha

a) Tried to break through the defence line of the Edomites but failed (2 Kings 3:26)

b) Sacrificed his eldest son, the crown prince to the Moabite god Chemosh in public view (2 Kings 3:27a) (ultimate sacrifice)

c) This effort was in vain

d) Moabites felt great indignation towards Israel (2 Kings 3:27b)

(X) WAR ENDED ON A NEGATIVE NOTE

“So they departed from him and returned to their own land.” 2 Kings 3:27c

1. Elisha’s word was not obeyed (2 Kings 3:18-I9)

2. The coalition army disbanded tamely!