📖 2 Kings — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Kings 3:1 Now RJehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
2 Kings 3:2 And he Rwrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the Timage of Baal that his father had made.
2 Kings 3:3 Nevertheless Rhe cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
2 Kings 3:4 And Mesha king of Moab was Ra sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.
2 Kings 3:5 But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
2 Kings 3:6 And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and Rnumbered all Israel.
2 Kings 3:7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: Rwilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
2 Kings 3:8 And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through Rthe wilderness of Edom.
2 Kings 3:9 So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of REdom: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle Tthat followed them.
2 Kings 3:10 And the king of Israel said, Alas! that Rthe LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!
2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, RIs there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
2 Kings 3:12 And Jehoshaphat said, RThe word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
2 Kings 3:13 And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, RWhat have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.
2 Kings 3:14 And Elisha said, RAs the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
2 Kings 3:15 But now Rbring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
2 Kings 3:16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, RMake this valley full of ditches.
2 Kings 3:17 For thus saith the LORD, RYe shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
2 Kings 3:18 RAnd this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.
2 Kings 3:19 RAnd ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and Tmar every good piece of land with stones.
2 Kings 3:20 And it came to pass in the morning, Rwhen the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
2 Kings 3:21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they RTgathered all that were able to Tput on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.
2 Kings 3:22 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 as red as blood:
2 Kings 3:23 And they said, RThis is blood: the kings are surely Tslain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
2 Kings 3:24 And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and Rsmote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but Tthey went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.
2 Kings 3:25 And they Rbeat 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: Tonly in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
2 Kings 3:26 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 even Runto the king of Edom: but they could not.
2 Kings 3:27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and Roffered 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.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 3:1–12 — An alliance faces a water crisis
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jehoram removes Baal’s image but continues Jeroboam’s sins. Moab’s rebellion leads Israel, Judah, and Edom into a campaign where water runs out. Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet, and they approach Elisha. Removing one wrong has not made Jehoram fully faithful.
Key Truth: Partial reform should not excuse the wrong that remains.
Check What You Remember
1. Who was Moab’s king? (2 Kings 3:4)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:4 (KJV).
2. Through which wilderness did the alliance travel? (2 Kings 3:8)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:8 (KJV).
3. Which prophet did they seek? (2 Kings 3:11)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 3:13–20 — Water promised without visible rain
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Elisha regards Jehoshaphat and, after a minstrel plays, receives the LORD’s word. The valley is to be filled with ditches, and water will come without observed wind or rain. The supply arrives by Edom in the morning. These are particular instructions to this army, not a universal ritual for obtaining provision.
Key Truth: Obey a genuine word from God without making it a formula for every situation.
Check What You Remember
1. What musician did Elisha request? (2 Kings 3:15)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:15 (KJV).
2. With what were they to fill the valley? (2 Kings 3:16)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:16 (KJV).
3. What filled the country in the morning? (2 Kings 3:20)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:20 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 3:21–27 — A mistaken interpretation and a tragic end
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Moab sees red water and assumes the allies killed each other. Israel defeats the attack and devastates the land. Moab’s king sacrifices his eldest son, after which indignation arises and Israel withdraws. The narrator does not identify every cause of that indignation or endorse the sacrifice.
Key Truth: Do not turn an unexplained outcome into approval of an evil act.
Check What You Remember
1. What did Moab mistake the water for? (2 Kings 3:22)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:22 (KJV).
2. How many men attempted the breakout with Moab’s king? (2 Kings 3:26)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:26 (KJV).
3. Which son did the king sacrifice? (2 Kings 3:27)
Find it in 2 Kings 3:27 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Jeremiah 7:31 — God explicitly rejects the practice of burning children as offerings.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where might appearances lead you to an unwarranted conclusion? Consider the need to distinguish what the text states from what you assume.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How is Jehoram’s conduct qualified at the beginning?
2. What crisis follows the seven-day journey?
3. Why does Elisha regard the allied kings at all?
4. What makes the promised supply of water unusual?
5. What mistaken interpretation draws Moab into danger?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation