The Defeat of the Moabites

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Introduction: Jehoram continues the wickedness of Ahab. Jehoshaphat wrongly joins in with Jehoram. The kings and their armies are in serious trouble in the wilderness of Edom. Yet, they win the battle completely. Why? Because Jehoshaphat had enough spiritual sense to seek the Lord in the time of trouble. Do you have that much sense? 

I.          THE REIGN OF JEHORAM OVER ISRAEL (2Kings 3:1-3) 

A.       The Historical Details of Jehoram’s Reign (2Kings 3:1) 

1.        Over the kingdom of Israel

2.        The son of Ahab

3.        The son of Jezebel (2Kings 9:22)

4.        Reigned from Samaria as his capital

5.        Began his reign in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat (compare 2Kings 1:17; 2Kings 8:16)

6.        Reigned for twelve years 

B.        The Moral Nature of Jehoram’s Reign (2Kings 3:2-3) 

1.        He did evil in the sight of the Lord (2Kings 3:2).

a.         But not to the level of his father and mother (see 1Kings 16:30-33)

b.         He put away the image of Baal made by Ahab.

c.         Note: This shows us that God recognizes different levels of evil.

2.        He held to the sins of Jeroboam (1Kings 12:26-33). 

II.        THE BATTLE SET AGAINST THE MOABITES (2Kings 3:4-10) 

A.       The Rebellion of the Moabites (2Kings 3:4-5) 

1.        Mesha, the king of Moab (2Kings 3:4)

a.         A sheepmaster

b.         Paid tribute to the king of Israel

(1)      100,000 lambs

(2)      100,000 rams

(3)      With the wool

2.        The rebellion of Mesha (2Kings 3:5)

a.         When Ahab was dead (1Kings 21:28-29)

b.         He rebelled against the king of Israel.

c.         Had served from the time of king David (2Samuel 8:1-2) 

B.        The Gathering of Israel and Judah (2Kings 3:6-7) 

1.        Jehoram gathered the armies of Israel (2Kings 3:6).

2.        Jehoram sent to king Jehoshaphat of Judah (2Kings 3:7).

a.         He informed Jehoshaphat of the rebellion of Moab.

b.         He requested the assistance of Jehoshaphat.

c.         Jehoshaphat submitted to his command (cp. 1Kings 22:2-4). 

C.       The Way through the Wilderness of Edom (2Kings 3:8-9) 

1.        The path of attack (2Kings 3:8)

a.         They went south to go around the Dead Sea and then pass up through Edom northward into Moab.

b.         This is a very dry and desolate land.

2.        The confederacy (2Kings 3:9)

a.         Israel

b.         Judah

c.         Edom

3.        The journey around the Dead Sea took seven days (2Kings 3:9).

4.        The danger (2Kings 3:9)

a.         No water for the armies

b.         No water for the cattle 

D.       The Despair of the King of Israel (2Kings 3:10) 

1.        He feared deliverance into the hand of Moab.

2.        He feared that God had laid a trap for them. 

III.     THE WORD OF THE LORD FROM ELISHA (2Kings 3:11-19) 

A.       Their Inquiry at the Mouth of Elisha (2Kings 3:11-12) 

1.        Jehoshaphat sought for a prophet of God (2Kings 3:11).

2.        A servant announced the nearness of Elisha (2Kings 3:11).

a.         He is here.

b.         He is the man who poured water on the hands of Elijah.

3.        The kings agree to go to Elisha (2Kings 3:12).

a.         Jehoshaphat confirms the presence of God with him.

b.         The three kings go down to see Elisha. 

B.        Elisha’s Agreement to Give Them God’s Word (2Kings 3:13-14) 

1.        Elisha rebukes the king of Israel (2Kings 3:13).

a.         What have I to do with thee?

b.         Go to the prophets of your father and mother.

c.         Jehoshaphat repeats his fear of God’s ill will.

2.        Elisha regards the presence of Jehoshaphat (2Kings 3:14).

a.         For his sake only will the Lord speak

b.         He would not look to the king of Israel. 

C.       The Word of the Lord by Elisha (2Kings 3:15-19) 

1.        Elisha called for a minstrel to play (2Kings 3:15).

a.         The minstrel came and played for him.

b.         The hand of the Lord came upon him.

c.         Note: There were no words to the music, yet the Lord responded at the playing of the music. Evidently, music can be morally good. By contrast, it must be capable of being morally evil.

2.        Elisha commanded the valley to be filled with ditches (2Kings 3:16); they were to prepare themselves to receive the blessing of the Lord (compare 2Kings 4:34).

3.        Elisha prophesied the filling of the ditches with water (2Kings 3:17).

a.         Without wind

b.         Without rain

c.         To provide drink for them and their beasts

4.        Elisha prophesied victory over the Edomites (2Kings 3:18-19).

a.         As a light thing in the sight of the Lord (2Kings 3:18)

b.         To deliver the Moabites into your hand (2Kings 3:18)

c.         To give complete victory over the Moabites (2Kings 3:19)

(1)      To smite their cities

(2)      To fell their trees

(3)      To stop their wells

(4)      To mar their land with stones 

IV.     THE GREAT VICTORY OVER THE MOABITES (2Kings 3:20-27) 

A.       The Filling of the Ditches with Water (2Kings 3:20) 

1.        In the morning; Application: the best time to receive blessings from the word of God

2.        At the time of the meat offering; Application: the meat offering is a picture of a living sacrifice to God. They received the blessing of God when they surrendered to Him.

3.        By the way of Edom; Application: Edom was a place of opposition and discouragement (Numbers 20:18-21; Numbers 21:4). The path to God’s blessings are often through the way of trials and afflictions.

4.        The country was filled with water; God never blesses halfway. There is always enough and to spare (Luke 15:17). 

B.        The Advance of the Moabites for Spoil (2Kings 3:21-23) 

1.        They came prepared to fight (2Kings 3:21).

2.        The water in the ditches shined like blood (2Kings 3:22).

3.        They assumed that it was the result of the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom fighting one another (2Kings 3:23).

4.        They went in to take the spoil (2Kings 3:23). 

C.       The Slaughter of the Moabites in Battle (2Kings 3:24-25) 

1.        They were smitten on the battlefield (2Kings 3:24).

2.        They were smitten in their own country (2Kings 3:24).

3.        Their cities were destroyed (2Kings 3:25).

4.        Only Kirharaseth (a fortress city of Moab) was left standing. 

D.       The Complete Defeat of the Moabites (2Kings 3:26-27) 

1.        They failed to break through to the king of Edom (2Kings 3:26).

2.        The king of Moab sacrificed his eldest son (2Kings 3:27).

3.        They departed and returned to their own country (2Kings 3:27).