Three Kings and a Prophet
- Funke Otiwhor Ajigboye
- May 22
- 7 min read
In 2 Kings 3, we witness a significant turning point in the history of Israel and Moab. The king of Moab, Mesha, rebelled against Joram, the son of Ahab and the newly appointed king of Israel. Previously, Mesha had been faithful in paying tribute, providing Joram with one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams. However, with the death of Ahab, Mesha resolved to forsake the covenant made with the late king.
In response to this defiance, Joram sought to confront the Moabites and rallied support from all of Israel, including his ally, Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah. Jehoshaphat, recognizing the gravity of the situation, agreed to lend his support to Joram in this endeavor.
And it came to pass that Joram went forth to the King of Edom, and together with the other two kings, they set out to wage war against Moab. As they journeyed, they encountered a grievous trial; for seven days they traveled, and there was no water for their army, nor for the beasts that accompanied them.
In his despair, Joram lamented their dire predicament, proclaiming that the Lord had led them into the wilderness to surrender them into the hands of Moab. Yet, Jehoshaphat, wise in counsel, suggested that they seek the word of the Lord by inquiring if a prophet was near. One of Joram's servants then spoke, saying, "Elisha the prophet is here." Thus, they made their way to Elisha.
At first, Elisha hesitated to assist them, rebuking Joram by saying, "Go to the prophets of thy father and mother." But, moved by Jehoshaphat's presence, Elisha relented and requested a musician to play before him, that he might seek the counsel of the Lord.
And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts 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. 15 But now bring me a musician. 2Kings 3:14-15
As the music played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha, and he proclaimed to them the words of the Lord. He instructed them to dig ditches, assuring them that, although they would not see wind or rain, their ditches would be filled with water. Furthermore, the Lord promised to deliver the Moabites into their hands.
16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of [b]ditches.’ 17 For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 18 And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. 2 Kings 3: 16-18
It was a light thing in the sight of the Lord. According to God's word, when the grain offering was presented the following day, the waters flowed from Edom and filled the valley.
When the Moabites heard that the three kings were coming to battle against them, they rose early in the morning. They beheld the sun shining upon the waters on the other side, which appeared as blood. They thought, "This is blood; the kings have surely drawn their swords and slain one another; now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!" They hastened to the camp of the Israelites. Yet, to their surprise, they were met with an attack from the Israelites. The Moabites fled, but the Israelites pursued them, destroying their cities, throwing stones upon every fertile field, stopping the springs of water, and cutting down their choice trees.
Here are five lessons that 2 Kings 3 teaches us:
Consider the Company You Keep:
Joram, an idolater and unbeliever, was allied with Jehoshaphat, a believer who obeyed God (2 Chronicles 17:3-4). When they faced adversity, Joram lacked faith; he perceived the situation as hopeless and began to speak negatively about their plight.
And the king of Israel said, “Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 2 kings 3: 10
But Jehoshaphat desired to know what God had to say regarding the situation. It is crucial to have godly friends, for their responses to challenges will not only inspire you to seek God but also encourage you to remain steadfast and hopeful. Jehoshaphat's relationship with God prompted Elisha, the prophet, to inquire of the Lord concerning their predicament. Therefore, you must be mindful of the company you keep.
Turn to God and ask for help:
When faced with difficulties, trials, or tribulations, one may feel helpless, anxious, afraid, or even despondent. Turning to God in our moments of weakness and vulnerability, and seeking His assistance in these critical times, is a vital way to secure our deliverance and breakthrough. Jehoshaphat chose to turn to God for help rather than joining Joram in lamenting and bewailing their circumstances.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” 2 Kings 3:11
You must watch what you say when faced with challenges. always speak God's word over that situation.
A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. Proverbs 13: 2
There is nothing too hard for God:
When the word of the Lord came to Elisha, he declared, "It is a light thing in the sight of the Lord." (2 Kings 3:18)
This profound statement reminds us of the boundless power and sovereignty of our Creator. In moments of doubt or despair, let us remember that what seems impossible to us is but a whisper to God.
"For with God, nothing shall be impossible." - Luke 1:37
And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. 2 Kings 3: 18
Why did Elisha say this? Because nothing is too hard for God. Elisha wanted these kings to understand that God was able to help them and that their predicament was a simple matter for Him. With God, all things are possible. To Joram, their situation seemed beyond repair, but when Elisha intervened, he made them realize that it was a trivial thing for God to do. He also taught them that they didn’t necessarily need to know the "how." The three kings didn’t need to understand how God would provide water in the ditches they were to dig. They would not see wind or rain, yet they should expect water, for there is nothing too difficult for God. You, too, need to trust in God and cease worrying about the "how." How will the manifestation of God's word take place? How will that breakthrough come? Where will it come from? Stop fretting and stressing over the minute details, and trust in His word. What He says He will do is what He will do.
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
Faith Requires Obedience:
God sent His word through Elisha, but the people still needed to take that bold step of faith by obeying God's instruction. They had to dig the ditches if they wanted to see the water God had promised. Your obedience of faith to God's word is crucial to enjoying all of God's promises for your life. When you truly believe God's words, you will do what He tells you to do, even when it doesn't make sense.
Victory is Guaranteed with God on Your Side:
God granted victory to the Israelites, stating precisely what they would do to the Moabites. It began by confusing the Moabites. Their assumption that the Israelites had fought among themselves led them to make a grave mistake. They approached the camp of Israel unprepared for battle, thinking they were going to collect spoils. This misjudgment made it easy for the Israelites to attack and defeat them. They destroyed the cities, threw stones on the good soil, stopped the springs, and cut down the trees.
Then they destroyed the cities, and each man threw a stone on every good piece of land and filled it; and they stopped up all the springs of water and cut down all the good trees. But they left the stones of Kir Haraseth intact. However the slingers surrounded and attacked it. 3 Kings 3: 25
However, the Israelites ceased their advance when the King of Moab took his heir and sacrificed him before the wall of the city. This act ignited indignation among the Israelites, compelling them to turn away and leave the city.
It is also important to note that before Elisha prophesied, he requested a musician to play. As the music filled the air, the power of the Lord came upon him. What type of music do you listen to? Do the songs you sing truly worship God? Can the Spirit of the Lord gain access to your life through your music? If the Spirit of God could come upon Elisha through music, then worship should be a vital means of connecting with God's divine presence, even in our times of distress or need.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come before you and ask for grace to live a life of obedience and to walk in the knowledge that there is nothing too hard for you to do. I pray for strength to always rest in your word and walk in victory in Jesus name.
Reference
The Holy Bible, King James Version, 3 Kings, 2 Chronicles 14
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