2 Kings 3:12

KJV

And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jehoshaphat {H3092} said {H559}, The word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} is {H3426} with him. So the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} and Jehoshaphat {H3092} and the king {H4428} of Edom {H123} went down {H3381} to him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshafat said, "The word of ADONAI is with him." So the king of Isra'el, Y'hoshafat and the king of Edom went down to consult him.

Berean Standard Bible

Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

American Standard Version

And Jehoshaphat said, The word of Jehovah is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 3:12 records a pivotal moment in the joint military campaign of the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom against Moab. Facing a desperate water shortage, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, known for his piety, declares that the prophet Elisha possesses "the word of the LORD," prompting all three kings—including the unrighteous King Jehoram of Israel—to humble themselves and seek divine counsel from the prophet, acknowledging his unique spiritual authority as a conduit for God's direct revelation. This act of submission sets the stage for Elisha's subsequent prophecy and the miraculous provision of water.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a critical exchange where the allied kings, facing imminent defeat and death by thirst in the wilderness of Edom, are desperate for guidance. King Jehoram of Israel, initially despairing and lamenting their fate, is challenged by Jehoshaphat, who insists on seeking a prophet of the LORD, unlike Jehoram's usual reliance on Baal worship. A servant then identifies Elisha as the one who "poured water on the hands of Elijah" ([2 Kings 3:11](/2_kings/3-11 "2 Kings 3:11 - Elisha, Elijah's Servant")). Jehoshaphat's immediate and confident affirmation, "The word of the LORD is with him," serves as the catalyst for the kings' collective decision to approach Elisha, highlighting the transfer of prophetic authority from Elijah to Elisha and the recognition of Elisha's direct access to divine revelation. The verse thus transitions the narrative from the kings' dire predicament and initial despair to their humble submission before God's chosen messenger.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Kings 3 occur during the reign of Jehoram (Joram) of Israel (c. 852-841 BC) and Jehoshaphat of Judah (c. 870-848 BC). The alliance between Israel and Judah, despite their historical divisions, was often forged out of necessity, particularly against common enemies like Moab, which had rebelled against Israelite vassalage ([2 Kings 3:4-5](/2_kings/3-4 "2 Kings 3:4-5 - Moab's Rebellion")). The campaign's route through the wilderness of Edom was strategically chosen to flank Moab, but it exposed the armies to severe environmental hazards, including extreme dehydration. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, military campaigns often involved seeking divine oracles, whether from legitimate prophets of Yahweh or pagan diviners, to ascertain success or understand the gods' will. The act of "going down" to a prophet signifies a posture of humility and respect for their spiritual authority, acknowledging their higher standing as God's representative.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the **Sovereignty of God** over human affairs and military outcomes, demonstrating that even powerful kings are ultimately dependent on divine intervention, especially in desperate circumstances. Secondly, it highlights the **Authority and Necessity of Prophetic Counsel**, particularly from a true prophet of Yahweh. Elisha, as the successor to Elijah, embodies God's continued engagement with His people, providing guidance and revealing His will even to a mixed company of believers and unbelievers. This theme is echoed throughout the Old Testament, where God raises up prophets to speak His word, as seen in the call to "seek the LORD while He may be found" in [Isaiah 55:6](/isaiah/55-6 "Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the Lord"). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Grace and Mercy**, as God's word is made accessible even to the unrighteous King Jehoram, primarily through the influence and intercession of the faithful Jehoshaphat, illustrating God's willingness to respond when His word is sought, regardless of the seeker's full spiritual state.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dāḇār'_):** This term, translated "word," is profoundly significant in the Old Testament. It denotes not merely a spoken utterance but a powerful, active, and authoritative communication or decree from God. When "the word of the LORD" is with a prophet, it means God's very will, instruction, and power reside within that individual, making their pronouncements binding and effective. It implies divine inspiration and infallibility, distinguishing it from human opinion or wisdom.
* **Went down (Hebrew, _yārad'_):** The verb "went down" literally describes a descent, which in this geographical context (likely from the plateau where they were encamped to Elisha's location) is physically accurate. However, it also carries symbolic weight. For kings to "go down" to a prophet signifies a posture of humility, submission, and deference to spiritual authority. It is an acknowledgment that despite their royal status, they are subordinate to the divine message Elisha carries. This act of humbling themselves precedes the reception of God's miraculous intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him."**: This declaration by Jehoshaphat is the turning point. It's an affirmation of Elisha's prophetic legitimacy and divine anointing, based on the servant's identification of Elisha as Elijah's successor. Jehoshaphat, a righteous king, immediately discerns the authenticity of Elisha's connection to God, recognizing that Elisha is not merely a wise man but a direct conduit for God's authoritative message. This statement establishes Elisha's credibility before the other kings, particularly the wavering Jehoram.
* **"So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him."**: This clause describes the immediate, collective response to Jehoshaphat's declaration. The three kings, representing their respective nations, physically and symbolically "went down" to Elisha. Their descent signifies a profound act of humility and submission to the prophet's spiritual authority, acknowledging their desperate need for divine intervention and their willingness to receive it through God's chosen vessel. This unified action underscores the severity of their crisis and the recognized power of "the word of the LORD" that Elisha possessed.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as Jehoshaphat's confident declaration that "The word of the LORD is with him" sets the expectation for a powerful and authoritative divine message to follow, which indeed materializes in Elisha's subsequent prophecy and the miraculous provision of water. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the unrighteous King Jehoram, who typically consults pagan deities, is compelled by dire circumstances and Jehoshaphat's influence to seek the true God's prophet. This highlights God's sovereign ability to draw even the unwilling into His orbit. Furthermore, the act of the kings "going down" to Elisha serves as **Symbolism**, representing their humility and submission before divine authority, contrasting sharply with their usual positions of power and command.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the critical importance of divine revelation and the role of God's chosen messengers in times of crisis. It underscores that true wisdom and deliverance do not come from human strategizing or pagan practices, but from the direct "word of the LORD." Even in a context where unrighteousness (King Jehoram) is present, God's truth remains accessible and potent through faithful individuals (Jehoshaphat and Elisha), demonstrating His enduring commitment to His people and His sovereign ability to work through various instruments. The kings' humble descent to Elisha serves as a timeless paradigm for all who seek God's guidance: true spiritual authority demands humility and submission.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God reveals His plan to His servants the prophets")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God speaks through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Kings 3:12 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that in moments of personal or collective crisis, our first instinct should be to turn to the authoritative "word of the LORD." Just as the kings faced a physical drought, we often encounter spiritual, emotional, or relational droughts, and our ultimate source of refreshment and direction remains God's revealed truth. The influence of Jehoshaphat, a righteous king, in steering Jehoram towards the true prophet, highlights the powerful impact a faithful individual can have in guiding others towards God, even those who are resistant or unaccustomed to seeking Him. Our willingness to "go down" – to humble ourselves, set aside our pride, and submit to God's Word and His appointed means of grace – is paramount for receiving divine guidance and experiencing His miraculous intervention in our lives. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence, recognizing that true strength and wisdom flow from acknowledging God's supreme authority.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently facing a "drought" or a desperate situation that requires divine intervention?**
* **Am I quick to seek the "word of the LORD" in my crises, or do I first exhaust human solutions?**
* **How might my consistent walk with God influence others around me to seek divine counsel, even if they are not typically inclined to do so?**
* **What does "going down" to the prophet (or to God's Word) look like in my daily life? Am I truly humble and submissive to God's authority?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jehoshaphat so confident that "the word of the LORD" was with Elisha?**

Answer: Jehoshaphat's confidence stemmed from the servant's identification of Elisha as the one who "poured water on the hands of Elijah" ([2 Kings 3:11](/2_kings/3-11 "2 Kings 3:11 - Elisha, Elijah's Servant")). This phrase was a common idiom signifying Elisha's role as Elijah's personal attendant and, more importantly, his chosen successor. Jehoshaphat, a king who consistently sought the LORD, understood the significance of this spiritual lineage. He knew that Elijah was God's true prophet, and if Elisha was his legitimate successor, then God's prophetic mantle and authority, including the ability to speak God's direct word, had been passed on to him. This recognition of Elisha's divine appointment, rather than a personal relationship with Elisha, fueled Jehoshaphat's immediate and unwavering conviction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 3:12 describes the kings' turning to a human prophet for God's word, it ultimately points to the ultimate Prophet, Jesus Christ, in whom the "word of the LORD" fully dwells. Elisha, as a conduit for God's message, foreshadows Christ, who is not merely a messenger but the very **Word made flesh** ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh")). The kings' desperate journey to Elisha for life-saving water prefigures humanity's desperate need for the **living water** that only Jesus can provide ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus offers living water")). Just as Elisha's authority was acknowledged by the kings, Jesus' authority is supreme, for He speaks with inherent divine power, not merely as one given a message ([Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus taught as one having authority")). The humility of the kings "going down" to Elisha finds its ultimate fulfillment in our need to humble ourselves before Christ, the **Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world** ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and to submit to His perfect will, for in Him alone do we find true guidance, salvation, and eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 2:14

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where [is] the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

2 Kings 2:15

And when the sons of the prophets which [were] to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

Revelation 3:9

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

2 Kings 5:15

¶ And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that [there is] no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

Isaiah 49:23

And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with [their] face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

2 Kings 2:24

And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

2 Kings 2:25

And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.