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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D K I N G S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. III.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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We are now called to attend the public affairs of Israel, in which we
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shall find Elisha concerned. Here is,
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I. The general character of Jehoram, king of Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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II. A war with Moab, in which Jehoram and his allies were engaged,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:4-8">ver. 4-8</A>.
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III. The straits which the confederate army were reduced to in their
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expedition against Moab, and their consulting Elisha in that distress,
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with the answer of peace he gave them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:9-19">ver. 9-19</A>.
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IV. The glorious issue of this campaign
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:20-25">ver. 20-25</A>)
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and the barbarous method the king of Moab took to oblige the
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confederate army to retire,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:26,27">ver. 26, 27</A>.
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The house of Ahab is doomed to destruction; and, though in this chapter
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we have both its character and its condition better than before, yet
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the threatened ruin is not far off.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Reign of Jehoram.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 895.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in
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Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and
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reigned twelve years.
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2 And he wrought evil in the sight of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; but not like
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his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of
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Baal that his father had made.
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3 Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of
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Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
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4 And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto
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the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs, and a hundred
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thousand rams, with the wool.
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5 But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of
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Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Jehoram, the son of Ahab, and brother of Ahaziah, is here upon the
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throne of Israel; and, though he was but a bad man, yet two commendable
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things are here recorded of him:--</P>
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<P>
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I. That he removed his father's idols. He did evil in many things, but
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not like his father Ahab or his mother Jezebel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Bad he was, but not so bad, so <I>overmuch wicked,</I> as Solomon
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speaks,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:17">Eccl. vii. 17</A>.
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Perhaps Jehoshaphat, though by his alliance with the house of Ahab he
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made his own family worse, did something towards making Ahab's better.
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Jehoram saw his father and brother cut off for worshipping Baal, and
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wisely took warning by God's judgments on them, and <I>put away the
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image of Baal,</I> resolving to worship the God of Israel only, and
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consult none but his prophets. So far was well, yet it did not prevent
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the destruction of Ahab's family, nay, that destruction came <I>in his
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days,</I> and fell immediately <I>upon him</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+9:24"><I>ch.</I> ix. 24</A>),
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though he was one of the best of the family, for then the measure of
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its iniquity was full. Jehoram's reformation was next to none; for,
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1. He only put away the image of Baal <I>which his father had made,</I>
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and this probably in compliment to Jehoshaphat, who otherwise would not
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have come into confederacy with him, any more than with his brother,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:49">1 Kings xxii. 49</A>.
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But he did not destroy the worship of Baal among the people, for Jehu
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found it prevalent,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+10:19"><I>ch.</I> x. 19</A>.
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It was well to reform his family, but it was not enough; he ought to
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have used his power for the reforming of his kingdom.
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2. When he put away the image of Baal, he adhered to the worship of the
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calves, that politic sin of Jeroboam,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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<I>He departed not therefrom,</I> because that was the state engine by
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which the division between the two tribes was supported. Those do not
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truly, nor acceptably, repent or reform, who only part with the sins
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that they lose by, but continue their affection to the sins that they
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get by.
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3. He only <I>put away</I> the image of Baal, he did not break it in
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pieces, as he ought to have done. He laid it aside for the present, yet
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not knowing but he might have occasion for it another time; and
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Jezebel, for reasons of state, was content to worship her Baal in
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private.</P>
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<P>
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II. That he did what he could to recover his brother's losses. As he
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had something more of the religion of an Israelite than his father, so
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he had something more of the spirit of a king than his brother. Moab
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rebelled against Israel, immediately upon the death of Ahab,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+1:1"><I>ch.</I> i. 1</A>.
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And we do not find that Ahaziah made any attempt to chastise or reduce
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them, but tamely let go his interest in them, rather than entertain the
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cares, undergo the fatigues, and run the hazards, of a war with them.
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His folly and pusillanimity herein, and his indifference to the public
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good, were the more aggravated because the tribute which the king of
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Moab paid was a very considerable branch of the revenue of the crown of
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Israel: 100,000 <I>lambs, and</I> 100,000 <I>wethers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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The riches of kings then lay more in cattle than coin, and they thought
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it not below them to <I>know the state of their flocks and herds</I>
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themselves, because, as Solomon observes, <I>the crown doth not endure
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to every generation,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+27:23,24">Prov. xxvii. 23, 24</A>.
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Taxes were then paid not so much in money as in the commodities of the
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country, which was an ease to the subject, whether it was an advantage
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to the prince or no. The revolt of Moab was a great loss to Israel, yet
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Ahaziah sat still in sloth and ease. But an upper chamber in his house
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proved as fatal to him as the high places of the field could have been
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+1:2"><I>ch.</I> i. 2</A>),
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and the breaking of his lattice let into his throne a man of the more
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active genius, that would not lose the dominion of Moab without making
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at least one push for its preservation.</P>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki3_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Expedition against Moab; Elisha Consulted.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 895.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and
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numbered all Israel.
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7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah,
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saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go
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with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I <I>am</I>
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as thou <I>art,</I> my people as thy people, <I>and</I> my horses as thy
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horses.
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8 And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The
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way through the wilderness of Edom.
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9 So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the
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king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey:
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and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that
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followed them.
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10 And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath called
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these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of
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Moab!
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11 But Jehoshaphat said, <I>Is there</I> not here a prophet of the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, that we may enquire of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by him? And one of the king
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of Israel's servants answered and said, Here <I>is</I> Elisha the son
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of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
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12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> is with him. So
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the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down
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to him.
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13 And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do
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with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the
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prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him,
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Nay: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath called these three kings together, to
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deliver them into the hand of Moab.
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14 And Elisha said, <I>As</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts liveth, before whom
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I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of
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Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor
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see thee.
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15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the
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minstrel played, that the hand of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> came upon him.
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16 And he said, Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, Make this valley full of
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ditches.
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17 For thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, Ye shall not see wind, neither
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shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water,
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that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
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18 And this is <I>but</I> a light thing in the sight of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: he
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will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.
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19 And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city,
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and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and
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mar every good piece of land with stones.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Jehoram has no sooner got the sceptre into his hand than he takes the
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sword into his hand, to reduce Moab. Crowns bring great cares and
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perils to the heads that wear them; no sooner in honour than in war.
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Now here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The concerting of this expedition between Jehoram king of Israel and
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Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Jehoram levied an army
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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and such an opinion he had of the godly king of Judah that,
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1. He courted him to be his confederate: <I>Wilt thou go with me
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against Moab?</I> And he gained him. Jehoshaphat said, <I>I will go up.
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I am as thou art,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Judah and Israel, though unhappily divided from each other, yet can
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unite against Moab a common enemy. Jehoshaphat upbraids them not with
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their revolt from the house of David, nor makes it an article of their
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alliance that they shall return to their allegiance, though he had good
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reason to insist upon it, but treats with Israel as a sister-kingdom.
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Those are no friends to their own peace and strength who can never find
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in their hearts to forgive and forget an old injury, and unite with
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those that have formerly broken in upon their rights. <I>Quod initio
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non vulvit, tractu temporis invalescit--That which was originally
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destitute of authority in the progress of time acquires it.</I>
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2. He consulted him as his confidant,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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He took advice of Jehoshaphat, who had more wisdom and experience than
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himself, which way they should make their descent upon the country of
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Moab; and he advised that they should not march against them the
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nearest way, over Jordan, but go round <I>through the wilderness of
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Edom,</I> that they might take the king of Edom (who was tributary to
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him) and his forces along with them If two be better than one, much
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more will not a <I>three-fold cord be easily broken.</I> Jehoshaphat
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had like to have paid dearly for joining with Ahab, yet he joined with
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his son, and this expedition also had like to have been fatal to him.
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There is nothing got by being yoked with unbelievers.</P>
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<P>
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II. The great straits that the army of the confederates was reduced to
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in this expedition. Before they saw the face of an enemy they were all
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in danger of perishing for want of water,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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This ought to have been considered before they ventured a march through
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the wilderness, the same wilderness (or very near it) where their
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ancestors wanted water,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+20:2">Num. xx. 2</A>.
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God suffers his people, by their own improvidence, to bring themselves
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into distress, that the wisdom, power, and goodness of his providence
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may be glorified in their relief. What is more cheap and common than
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water? It is <I>drink to every beast of the field,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:11">Ps. civ. 11</A>.
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Yet the want of it will soon humble and ruin kings and armies. The
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king of Israel sadly lamented the present distress, and the imminent
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danger it put them in of falling into the hands of their enemies the
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Moabites, to whom, when weakened by thirst, they would be an easy prey,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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it was he that had <I>called these kings together;</I> yet he charges
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it upon Providence, and reflects upon that as unkind: The Lord has
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<I>called them together.</I> Thus <I>the foolishness of man perverteth
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his way,</I> and then <I>his heart fretteth against the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+19:3">Prov. xix. 3</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. Jehoshaphat's good motion to ask counsel of God in this exigency,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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The place they were now in could not but remind them of the <I>wonders
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of which their fathers told them,</I> the waters fetched out of the
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rock for Israel's seasonable supply. The thought of this, we may
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suppose, encouraged Jehoshaphat to ask, <I>Is there not here a prophet
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of the Lord,</I> like unto Moses? He was the more concerned because it
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was by his advice that they fetched this compass through the
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wilderness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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It was well that Jehoshaphat enquired of the Lord now, but it would
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|
have been much better if he had done it sooner, before he engaged in
|
|
this war, or steered this course; so the distress might have been
|
|
prevented. Good men are sometimes remiss and forgetful, and neglect
|
|
their duty till necessity and affliction drive them to it.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Elisha recommended as a proper person for them to consult with
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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And here we may wonder,
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1. That Elisha should follow the camp, especially in such a tedious
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march as this, as a volunteer, unasked, unobserved, and in no post of
|
|
honour at all; not in the office of <I>priest of the war</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:2">Deut. xx. 2</A>)
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|
|
|
or president of the council of war, but in such obscurity that none of
|
|
the kings knew they had such a jewel in the treasures of their camp,
|
|
nor so good a friend in their retinue. We may suppose it was by special
|
|
direction from heaven that Elisha attended the war, as <I>the chariot
|
|
of Israel and the horsemen thereof.</I> Thus does God anticipate his
|
|
people with the blessings of his goodness and provide his oracles for
|
|
those that provide them not for themselves. It would often be bad with
|
|
us if God did not take more care of us, both for soul and body, than we
|
|
take for ourselves.
|
|
|
|
2. That a servant of the king of Israel knew of his being there when
|
|
the king himself did not. Probably it was such a servant as Obadiah was
|
|
to his father Ahab, one that <I>feared the Lord;</I> to such a one
|
|
Elisha made himself known, not to the kings. The account he gives of
|
|
him is that it was he that <I>poured water on the hands of Elijah,</I>
|
|
that is, he was his servant, and particularly attended him when he
|
|
washed his hands. He that will be great, let him learn to minister: he
|
|
that will rise high, let him begin low.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The application which the kings made to Elisha. They went down to
|
|
him to his quarters,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Jehoshaphat had such an esteem for a prophet with whom the word of the
|
|
Lord was that he would condescend to visit him in his own person and
|
|
not send for him up to him. The other two were moved by the straits
|
|
they were in to make their court to the prophet. He that humbled
|
|
himself was thus exalted, and looked great, when three kings came to
|
|
knock at his door, and beg his assistance; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:9">Rev. iii. 9</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. The entertainment which Elisha gave them.
|
|
|
|
1. He was very plain with the wicked king of Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>What have I to do with thee?</I> How canst thou expect an answer of
|
|
peace from me? <I>Get thee to the prophets of thy father and
|
|
mother,</I> whom thou hast countenanced and maintained in thy
|
|
prosperity, and let them help thee now in thy distress." Elisha was not
|
|
imposed upon, as Jehoshaphat was, by his partial and hypocritical
|
|
reformation; he knew that, though he had put away the image of Baal,
|
|
Baal's prophets were still dear to him, and perhaps some of the were
|
|
now in his camp. "Go," said he, "<I>go to them. Get you to the gods
|
|
whom you have served,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+10:14">Judg. x. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
The world and the flesh have ruled you, let them help you; why should
|
|
God be <I>enquired of by</I> you?"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+14:3">Ezek. xiv. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Elisha tells him to his face, in a holy indignation at his wickedness,
|
|
that he can scarcely find in his heart to <I>look towards him</I> or to
|
|
<I>see him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Jehoram is to be respected as a prince, but as a wicked man he is a
|
|
vile person, and is to be condemned,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+15:4">Ps. xv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Elisha, as a subject, will honour him, but as a prophet he will cause
|
|
him to know his iniquity. For those that had such an extraordinary
|
|
commission it was fit (though not for a common person) to say to a
|
|
king, <I>Thou art wicked,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:18">Job xxxiv. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Jehoram has so much self-command as to take this plain dealing
|
|
patiently; he cares not now for hearing of the prophets of Baal, but is
|
|
a humble suitor to the God of Israel and his prophet, representing the
|
|
present case as very deplorable and humbly recommending it to the
|
|
prophet's compassionate consideration. In effect, he owns himself
|
|
unworthy, but let not the other kings be ruined for his sake.
|
|
|
|
2. Elisha showed a great respect to the godly king of Judah,
|
|
<I>regarded his presence,</I> and, for his sake, would <I>enquire of
|
|
the Lord</I> for them all. It is good being with those that have God's
|
|
favour and his prophet's love. Wicked people often fare the better for
|
|
the friendship and society of those that are godly.
|
|
|
|
3. He composed himself to receive instructions from God. His mind was
|
|
somewhat ruffled and disturbed at the sight of Jehoram; though he was
|
|
not put into a sinful heat or passion, nor had spoken unadvisedly, yet
|
|
his zeal for the present indisposed him for prayer and the operations
|
|
of the Spirit, which required a mind very calm and sedate. He therefore
|
|
called for a musician
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
a devout musician, one accustomed to play upon his harp and sign psalms
|
|
to it. To hear God's praises sweetly sung, as David had appointed,
|
|
would cheer his spirits, and settle his mind, and help to put him into
|
|
a right frame both to speak to him and to hear from him. We find a
|
|
company of prophets prophesying with <I>a psaltery and a tabret before
|
|
them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:5">1 Sam. x. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that desire communion with God must keep their spirits quiet and
|
|
serene. Elisha being refreshed, and having the tumult of his spirits
|
|
laid by this divine music, <I>the hand of the Lord came upon him,</I>
|
|
and his visit did him more honour than that of three kings.
|
|
|
|
4. God, by him, gave them assurance that the issue of the present
|
|
distress would be comfortable and glorious.
|
|
|
|
(1.) They should speedily be supplied with water,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
To try their faith and obedience, he bids them <I>make the valley full
|
|
of ditches</I> to receive the water. Those that expect God's blessings
|
|
must prepare room for them, <I>dig the pools</I> for the rain to fill,
|
|
as they did in the valley of Baca, and so made even that a well,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+84:6">Ps. lxxxiv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
To raise the wonder, he tells them they shall have water enough, and
|
|
yet there shall be <I>neither wind nor rain.</I> Elijah, by prayer,
|
|
obtained water out of the clouds, but Elisha fetches it nobody knows
|
|
whence. The spring of these waters shall be as secret as the head of
|
|
the Nile. God is not tied to second causes. Ordinarily it is by a
|
|
plentiful rain that God <I>confirms his inheritance</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:9">Ps. lxviii. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
but here it is done without rain, at least without rain in that place.
|
|
Some of the <I>fountains of the great deep,</I> it is likely, <I>were
|
|
broken up</I> on this occasion; and, to increase the miracle, <I>that
|
|
valley</I> only (as it should seem) <I>was filled with water,</I> and
|
|
no other place had any share of it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That supply should be an earnest of victory
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>This is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord;</I> you shall
|
|
not only be saved from perishing, but shall return in triumph." As God
|
|
gives freely to the unworthy, so he gives richly, like himself, more
|
|
than we are <I>able to ask or think.</I> His grants out-do our requests
|
|
and expectations. Those that sincerely seek for the dew of God's grace
|
|
shall have it, and by it be made <I>more than conquerors.</I> It is
|
|
promised that they shall be masters of the rebellious country, and they
|
|
are permitted to lay it waste and ruin it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The law forbade them to fell fruit-trees to be employed in their sieges
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:19">Deut. xx. 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
but not when it was intended, in justice, for the starving of a country
|
|
that had forfeited its fruits, by denying <I>tribute to those to whom
|
|
tribute was due.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki3_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki3_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki3_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki3_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki3_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki3_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki3_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki3_27"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Defeat of the Moabites.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 895.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>20 And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering
|
|
was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom,
|
|
and the country was filled with water.
|
|
21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up
|
|
to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on
|
|
armour, and upward, and stood in the border.
|
|
22 And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone
|
|
upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side
|
|
<I>as</I> red as blood:
|
|
23 And they said, This <I>is</I> blood: the kings are surely slain,
|
|
and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the
|
|
spoil.
|
|
24 And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites
|
|
rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them:
|
|
but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in <I>their</I>
|
|
country.
|
|
25 And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of
|
|
land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped
|
|
all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in
|
|
Kir-haraseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers
|
|
went about <I>it,</I> and smote it.
|
|
26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore
|
|
for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to
|
|
break through <I>even</I> unto the king of Edom: but they could not.
|
|
27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his
|
|
stead, and offered him <I>for</I> a burnt offering upon the wall. And
|
|
there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed
|
|
from him, and returned to <I>their own</I> land.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. We have here the divine gift of both those things which God had
|
|
promised by Elisha--water and victory, and the former not only a pledge
|
|
of the latter, but a means of it. God, who created, and commands, all
|
|
the waters, both above and beneath the firmament, sent them an
|
|
abundance of water on a sudden, which did them double service.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It relieved their armies, which were ready to perish,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, which was very observable, this relief came just at the time of
|
|
the <I>offering of the morning sacrifice</I> upon the altar at
|
|
Jerusalem, a certain time, and universally known. That time Elisha
|
|
chose for his <I>hour of prayer</I> (it is likely <I>looking towards
|
|
the temple,</I> for so there were to do in their prayers when they were
|
|
<I>going out to battle</I> and encamped at a distance,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+8:44">1 Kings viii. 44</A>),
|
|
|
|
in token of his communion with the temple-service, and his expectation
|
|
of success by virtue of the great sacrifice. We now cannot pitch upon
|
|
any hour more acceptable than another, because our high priest is
|
|
always appearing for us, to present and plead his sacrifice. That time
|
|
God chose for the hour of mercy to put an honour upon the daily
|
|
sacrifice, which had been despised. God answered Daniel's prayer just
|
|
at the <I>time of the evening sacrifice</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:21">Dan. ix. 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
for he will acknowledge his own institutions.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It deceived their enemies, who were ready to triumph, into the
|
|
destruction. Notice was given to the Moabites of the advances of the
|
|
confederate army, to oppose which <I>all that were able to put on
|
|
armour</I> were posted upon the frontiers, where they were ready to
|
|
give the Israelites a warm reception
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
promising themselves that it would be easy dealing with an army
|
|
fatigued by so long a march through the wilderness of Edom. But see
|
|
here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) How easily they were drawn into their own delusions. Observe the
|
|
steps of their self-deceit.
|
|
|
|
[1.] They saw the water in the valley where the army of Israel
|
|
encamped, and conceited it was blood
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
because they knew the valley to be dry, and (there having been no rain)
|
|
could not imagine it should be water. The sun shone upon it, and
|
|
probably <I>the sky was red and lowering,</I> a presage of <I>foul
|
|
weather that day</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:3">Matt. xvi. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
and so it proved to them. But, this making the water look red, their
|
|
own fancies, which made them willing to believe what made for them,
|
|
suggested, <I>This is blood,</I> God permitting them thus to impose
|
|
upon themselves.
|
|
|
|
[2.] If their camp was thus full of blood, they conclude, "Certainly
|
|
the kings have fallen out (as confederates of different interests are
|
|
apt to do) and they have <I>slain one another</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
for who else should slay them?" And,
|
|
|
|
[3.] "If the armies have slain one another, we have nothing to do but
|
|
to divide the prey. <I>Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.</I>" These
|
|
were the gradual suggestions of some sanguine spirits among them, that
|
|
thought themselves wiser and happier in their conjectures than their
|
|
neighbours; and the rest, being desirous it should be so, were forward
|
|
to believe it was so. <I>Quod volumus facile credimus--What we wish we
|
|
readily believe.</I> Thus those that are to be destroyed are first
|
|
deceived
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+20:8">Rev. xx. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and none are so effectually deceived as those that deceive
|
|
themselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) How fatally they thereby ran upon their own destruction. They
|
|
rushed carelessly into the camp of Israel, to plunder it, but were
|
|
undeceived when it was too late. The Israelites, animated by the
|
|
assurances Elisha had given them of victory, fell upon them with the
|
|
utmost fury, routed them, and pursued them into their own country
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
which they laid waste
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
destroyed the cities, marred the ground, stopped up the wells, felled
|
|
the timber, and left only the royal city standing, in the walls of
|
|
which they made great breaches with their battering engines. This they
|
|
got by rebelling against Israel. Who ever <I>hardened his heart against
|
|
God and prospered?</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. In the close of the chapter we are told what the king of Moab did
|
|
when he found himself reduced to the last extremity by the besiegers,
|
|
and that his capital city was likely to fall into their hands.
|
|
|
|
1. He attempted that which was bold and brave. he got together 700
|
|
choice men, and with them sallied out upon the intrenchments of the
|
|
king of Edom, who, being but a mercenary in this expedition, would not,
|
|
he hoped, make any great resistance if vigorously attacked, and so he
|
|
might make his escape that way. But it would not do; even the king of
|
|
Edom proved too hard for him, and obliged him to retire,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. This failing, he did that which was brutish and barbarous; he took
|
|
his own son, his eldest son, that was to succeed him, than whom nothing
|
|
could be more dear to himself and his people, and <I>offered him for a
|
|
burnt-offering upon the wall,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
He designed by this,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To obtain the favour of Chemosh his god, which, being a devil,
|
|
delighted in blood and murder, and the destruction of mankind. The
|
|
dearer any thing was to them the more acceptable those idolaters
|
|
thought it must needs be if offered in sacrifice to their gods, and
|
|
therefore burnt their children in the fire to their honour.
|
|
|
|
(2.) To terrify the besiegers, and oblige them to retire. Therefore he
|
|
did it <I>upon the wall,</I> in their sight, that they might see what
|
|
desperate courses he resolved to take rather than surrender, and how
|
|
dearly he would sell his city and life. He intended hereby to render
|
|
them odious, and to exasperate and enrage his own subjects against
|
|
them. This effect it had: <I>There was great indignation against
|
|
Israel</I> for driving him to this extremity, whereupon they raised the
|
|
siege and returned. Tender and generous spirits will not do that,
|
|
though just, which will drive any man distracted, or make him
|
|
desperate.</P>
|
|
|
|
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