In 2 Kings 3, we find a new king of Israel named Joram (or Jehoram). He did evil, but not as much as his parents Ahab and Jezebel did. (I’m not sure that’s really much of a compliment, though.) During this time, the king of Moab, named Mesha, rebelled against paying tribute to Israel, and so Joram got ready for war with Moab. Joram (king of Israel) asked Jehoshaphat (king of Judah) for some military support, and Jehoshaphat agreed. So, we find both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms going to battle against the country of Moab.
As the kings of Israel and Judah went on their way, they passed through a region called Edom, and they apparently recruited Edom’s king to their army, too. So, now we find “we three kings” (but not the ones from the Christmas song), going to war.
However, after a week’s travel, they ended up without water, and Joram complained that they were going to lose to Moab. Despite not being faithful to the LORD himself, Joram still blamed Him for this situation!
So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them.
“What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the LORD called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?”
2 Kings 3:9-10 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.3.9-10.NIV
Jehoshaphat, king of Israel, at least thought to ask a prophet of God for help (see 2 Kings 3:9-12 for the larger picture). As it turned out, Elisha was around, and Jehoshaphat knew that God was with Elisha, so the three kings went to meet Elisha. (Remember, Joram, the king of Israel, was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, and still practiced evil – which his parents also did. On the other hand, while I’m not saying that the king of Judah was perfect, Jehoshaphat at least seemed to have more respect for the true God.)
When the three kings met Elisha, he had words for Joram (see 2 Kings 3:13-19), telling him to go ask for help from the prophets of the other gods that his parents served. Joram protested that God – the true God – was going to cause all three nations to lose to Moab. Perhaps Joram was trying to win Elisha’s favor by including the nation of Judah, even though Joram himself hadn’t done much to deserve God’s help.
And, in fact, Elisha said that – in my paraphrase – he was only listening to them at all because the king of Judah was there. I’m not sure whether the harpist mentioned in this chapter was Elisha’s idea, God’s direction to him, or just a chance to find some peaceful time to listen to God, but God did provide an answer to the three kings: They would have water, and Elisha also announced that they would defeat Moab.
Sure enough, the next morning there was water, just as God had said.
The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water.
2 Kings 3:20 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.3.20.NIV
And, when God does something, He’s not limited to the bare minimum: there was a lot of water.
Then, in verses 21-25, the Moabites mistook the sun reflecting on the water as blood. They rushed in, thinking that the three kings had turned on each other, leaving easy pickings for them to loot. The opposing armies were still intact, though, and they solidly routed the Moabites.
So, why did God work here? From Elisha’s perspective, at least, it wasn’t even worth talking with these kings, except for the king of Judah. It seems like God wanted to make it clear that this victory wasn’t a reward for the evil that Joram had been leading Israel into. (I suspect that Edom wasn’t significantly different, either, when it came to not worshiping the true God.) God still delivered His people, though.
Based on this example, don’t be afraid to ask God for help. You can ask Him even if you haven’t been a model of righteous behavior, or even if others who oppose God might benefit from His answer to your prayer. God is faithful even when we aren’t, and while we do better when we obey Him, His work – and who He provides for – may surprise you!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 8, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 & 2 Kings, by Jesse C. Long, Jr. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 