2 Kings 3: Revolt is in the air

Synopsis:

Jehoram, another son of Ahab takes the thrown. But Mesha of Moab, who is a sheepmaster revolts as he doesn’t want to keep sending sheep and wool to Israel. So Jehoram asks  Jehoshaphat of Juda  to help him quell the rebellion. So the three kings of Israel, Judah and Edom march for 7 days without food or water.  They get desperate and call Elisha to help them out. Elisha tells them to dig ditches and water flowed into them from Edom. The kings of Moab came to fight and in the morning, the sun on the water made it look like rivers of blood. The Moabites figured that the 3 kings had started fighting each other and went out to the camp of Israel to search the spoils only to find the Israelites fine and ready to fight. When the king of Moab saw the battle was lost for him, he took his eldest son and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall. Israelites are disgusted and go home.

In other words:

Now that Ahab is dead, the Moabites revolt and fail.

Favorite bit:

2 Kings 3:23: And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another,: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil. (oops)

2nd favorite bit:

2 Kings 3:15 – But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. (Apparently Elisha needs music to be able to prophesize.)

Least favorite bit:

2 Kings 3:26,27 – 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 even unto the king of Edom: but they could not. Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel and they departed from him, and returned to their own land. (So he doesn’t immolate himself to turn public opinion. He immolates his son. Ugh)

Moral Lesson Learned:

Just because you want something to be true, doesn’t mean it is true. (2 Kings 3)