2 Kings 3

All 27 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria during the 18th year of King Jehoshaphat of Judah's reign. He ruled for 12 years.
2. 2He did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not like his father and mother, for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.
3. 3Nevertheless, he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which caused Israel to sin; he did not turn away from them.
4. 4King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he paid tribute to the king of Israel — 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.
5. 5But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
6. 6So King Jehoram left Samaria at that time and counted all Israel.
7. 7He also sent a message to King Jehoshaphat of Judah, saying, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you join me in battle against Moab?" Jehoshaphat replied, "I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people, and my horses as your horses."
8. 8Jehoram asked, "Which route should we take?" Jehoshaphat answered, "Through the wilderness of Edom."
9. 9So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. They traveled in a circuitous route for seven days, and there was no water for the army or the animals that accompanied them.
10. 10The king of Israel cried out, "This is a disaster! The LORD has brought us 3 kings together just to hand us over to Moab!"
11. 11But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of the LORD here we can consult?" One of the king of Israel's officers spoke up: "Elisha son of Shaphat is here—he is the one who poured water on Elijah's hands."
12. 12Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the LORD is with him." So the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom all went down to see Elisha.
13. 13Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Why are you coming to me? Go ask your father's prophets or your mother's prophets." But the king of Israel pleaded, "No — the LORD is the one who brought us 3 kings together to hand us over to Moab!"
14. 14Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, if it weren't for my regard for Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, I would not look toward you or see you."
15. 15"But bring me a musician." While the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha.
16. 16He said, "This is what the LORD says: Dig this valley full of trenches.
17. 17The LORD says: You will not see wind, nor will you see rain, but this valley will be filled with water, so that you, your livestock, and your animals may drink.
18. 18And that's just a small thing for the LORD. He will also hand the Moabites over to you.
19. 19You will attack every fortified city and every choice city. You will cut down every good tree, block all wells of water, and ruin every good piece of land with stones.
20. 20The next morning, when the meat offering was offered, water came flowing in from the direction of Edom, and the whole area was filled with water.
21. 21When the Moabites heard that the kings had come to fight them, they called up every man old enough to carry weapons and stationed them along the border.
22. 22They got up early that morning, and when the sun rose and hit the water, the Moabites looked across and saw it glowing red as blood.
23. 23They shouted, "That's blood! The kings must have turned on each other and slaughtered one another! Come on, Moab — let's grab the plunder!"
24. 24But when they reached the Israelite camp, the Israelites charged out and attacked them. The Moabites broke and ran, and the Israelites chased them deep into their own territory, cutting them down as they went.
25. 25They demolished the cities, and every soldier threw stones onto every good piece of farmland until it was covered. They blocked every spring and chopped down every productive tree. Finally, only Kirharaseth was left standing, and even that city was surrounded by slingers who battered it.
26. 26When the king of Moab realized the battle was lost, he gathered 700 swordsmen and tried to break through the lines toward the king of Edom, but they couldn't get through.
27. 27He took his eldest son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall. There was great indignation against Israel, so they withdrew and returned to their own land.