Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online

As we enter into the third chapter of 2 Kings, we find that Jehoram who was the youngest son of Ahab; had just become the new king of Israel.

We are told that he too, had done evil in the eyes of the Lord; but not as his father and mother had done (Ahab & Jezebel).

We also find, that the new Israel king did do away with the -- "Sacred Stone of Baal," that his father had made.

But Jehoram did not destroy the stone, he just set it aside; to be put out of sight. Also the young Israel king, still held true to pagan religion of Baalism; and continued practicing in the sinful ways, that had caused Israel to sin and turn away from the one true God.

Now we find, that Mesha the king of Moab; had continued his rebellion against the nation of Israel. This rebellion had started right after the late king Ahab had passed away, and his older son Ahaziah -- had just taken the throne.

Ahaziah did not try to crush the Moabites rebellion while he was on the throne. But the reason for this, could be; as we would later find out, that Ahaziah would suffer a slow death after falling through the lattice of his palace -- soon after, he had inherited the throne.

Ahaziah's reign would fall short of two years, and without an heir; Jehoram the youngest and last of the Ahab dynasty, had now taken the throne after his brother's death -- in which, he inherited the revolt that was being led by king Mesha.

Now Mesha's primary business, dealt with the raising of sheep; and we would assume, that the Moabite king was commanded to pay a tribute to Israel in exchange for peace between the two nations. This tribute was rather large, and consisted of one-hundred thousand lambs; along with the wool of one-hundred thousand rams. But Mesha, would no longer agree -- when it came to paying this tribute after the death of Ahab.

Because of Mesha's defiant stance, we now find -- that Jehoram had decided to crush the revolt of Mesha and the Moabites. Jehoram would go out and levy the biggest army he could from within the kingdom of Israel.

After doing this, his next step would be to send word to Jehoshaphat the Judean king -- asking for assistance: "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?"

After hearing Jehoram's request, Jehoshaphat would say these words: "I will go with you; I am as you are -- my people as your people, my horses as your horses. But what route shall we attack?" The Israel king would answer Jehoshaphat: "Through the Desert of Edom."

Note: Since Edom was a vassal under Jehoshaphat, this would automatically bring Edom into the conflict; if Judah decided to go to war against the Moabites.

Also, it has been found that the Moabites were heavily fortified towards the north of their lands. So it made more sense to attack them from the south. Marching through Edom would allow the three kings to attack the Moabites at their most vulnerable spot.

Now after seven days of marching through the Desert of Edom. The armies that consisted of Israel, Judah, and Edom -- would find, that they had run out of water; and did not have any left, not only for themselves; but no water for the livestock either.

After word had made it back to the three kings about their current dilemma, Jehoram would cry out: "What, has the Lord called us together only to hand us over to the Moabites!"

But the Israel king would be wrong in his assessment, for God did not call them together. Jehoram had acted on his own, when it came to putting this military campaign together; and by doing so, his struggles would be of his own doing.

As for Jehoshaphat, he would ask to seek counsel from the Lord; instead of blaming Him for their current situation: "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord through him?" the Judean king called out.

Then an Israel officer spoke out: "Elisha, son of Shaphat is here -- he used to pour water on the hands of Elijah." After hearing this, Jehoshaphat said in agreement: "The word of the Lord is with hi." So the three kings went down to meet with prophet Elisha.

Now as the kings approached the prophet, Elisha would call out to the Israel king saying: "What do we have to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father, and the prophets of your mother."

After hearing Elisha's statement, the Israel king would say: "No, for it was the Lord that has brought us three kings together so we can be handed over to the Moabites."

After hearing this, Elisha would say: "As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you; or even notice you. But now bring me a harpist."

Now, while the harpist was playing -- the spirit of the Lord would come on the prophet: "Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.

"This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also hand Moab over to you. You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones."

Now it was a new day, and morning had arrived; and we find ourselves at a time when offerings were to be offered up to the one true God. But when they had awakened, they would indeed find that the Lord had used Elisha well; for the land was filled with water that had flowed in from Edom.

Now there is a secular account that deals with the Moabite's rebellion, that was recorded by king Mesha himself. This account would be found on the infamous -- "Moabite Stone."

"I Mesha son of Chemosh, king of Moab... My father had reigned over Moab thirty years and I reigned after my father... As for Omri, king of Israel, he humbled Moab many years, for Chemosh was angry at his land. And his son followed him and he also said, "I will humble Moab." In my time he spoke, but I have triumphed over him and over his house, while Israel has perished forever."

Now it would seem, that king Mesha was claiming some type of victory over Israel. But this simply was not the case. Let's take a closer look at the quote on the "Moabite Stone" again.

1) "I Mesha son of Chemosh" - Chemosh was the primary god that the Moabites and Ammonites worshiped. I will go more in detail about this deity on the next page.

2) "As for Omri, king of Israel, he humbled Moab many years" - Now Omri was the father of Ahab, and in this comment Mesha admits that Israel had rule over them.

3) "And his son followed him and he also said, 'I will humble Moab.'" - Now the Moabite king acknowledges that Ahab did take the throne after his father. He also admits that Ahab had continued to hold rule over them.

4) "In my time he spoke, but I have triumphed over him and over his house, while Israel has perished forever." - Now Mesha also confirms that Ahab still had this rule during his reign over Moab. But now Mesha has taken Ahab's death as some kind of Moabite triumph. But this is not true, for Ahab was killed while fighting against Ben-Hadad the Aramean king.

Now obviously this record was recorded before his battle with Jehoram, Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom. So for this reason, the "Moabite Stone" confirms the tribute; and the possible rebellion that was about to take place against Israel. But it doesn't take away from the Biblical record, if it does anything; it adds more credibility to it.

Elijah the Fire Prophet

Elisha the Prophet Apprentice

**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Family Dynasties Unite

13) Elijah and the Chariot of Fire

14) Elisha the Master Prophet

15) Elisha the Master Prophet

16) <-CURRENT PAGE->

17) The Blood Water

18) The Widow's Oil Treasure

19) Shunammite's Son Raised From The Dead

20) Elisha and the Pot of Death

21) The Leprosy of Naaman

22) The Floating Iron Axhead

23) The Fire Horse Army

24) The Siege of the Dark Famine

25) The Four Starving Lepers

26) The Shunammite's Divine Provision

27) Hazael Anointed Syrian King

28) Family Dynasties United

29) Jehu Is Anointed King of Israel

30) The Demise of Jehoram & Ahaziah

31) The Demise of Jezebel