2 Kings 3:18

KJV

And this is [but] a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

And this is but a light thing {H7043} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}: he will deliver {H5414} the Moabites {H4124} also into your hand {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

That's an easy thing to do, from ADONAI's perspective. He will also hand Mo'av over to you.

Berean Standard Bible

This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.

American Standard Version

And this is but a light thing in the sight of Jehovah: he will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 3:18 is a profound declaration of God's limitless power and effortless ability to intervene on behalf of His people, even in the most dire circumstances. Spoken by the prophet Elisha, it assures the allied kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom that not only will God miraculously provide water in the parched wilderness, but He will also grant them a decisive and comprehensive victory over the Moabites, deeming their seemingly insurmountable challenges as "a light thing" in His divine sight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a dramatic narrative in [2 Kings 3](/2_kings/3 "2 Kings 3 - The War Against Moab"). The kings of Israel (Jehoram), Judah (Jehoshaphat), and Edom have formed an alliance to suppress the rebellion of Mesha, king of Moab. Their campaign through the arid wilderness of Edom leads to a severe crisis: their armies and livestock face imminent perishing due to a lack of water. In their desperation, they seek the prophet Elisha. Initially, Elisha expresses reluctance to prophesy for the idolatrous King Jehoram, but out of respect for the righteous [King Jehoshaphat](/2_kings/3-14 "2 Kings 3:14 - Elisha's Respect for Jehoshaphat"), he agrees to inquire of the Lord. The prophecy begins with a promise of miraculous water provision without wind or rain ([2 Kings 3:16-17](/2_kings/3-16 "2 Kings 3:16-17 - The Promise of Water")), and then, with verse 18, extends the divine assurance to an even greater promise of military triumph over Moab.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the mid-9th century BC, following the death of Ahab, when Mesha, King of Moab, rebelled against Israelite vassalage ([2 Kings 1:1](/2_kings/1-1 "2 Kings 1:1 - Moab's Rebellion") and [2 Kings 3:4-5](/2_kings/3-4 "2 Kings 3:4-5 - Mesha's Rebellion")). The account is notably corroborated by the Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone), which describes Mesha's victories from his own perspective. The campaign through the wilderness of Edom highlights the critical importance of water for ancient armies and their livestock, making the water shortage a life-threatening crisis. Culturally, the role of prophets like Elisha was crucial; they served as God's direct spokespersons, providing divine guidance, warnings, and assurances to kings and the nation. The contrast between Jehoram's idolatry (continuing the legacy of Baal worship) and Jehoshaphat's faithfulness underscores the spiritual dynamics at play, where God's favor is often extended due to the presence of a righteous individual.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings - The Reigns of Kings and Prophets"). Foremost is the theme of **Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's power is boundless and effortlessly overcomes human limitations and seemingly impossible obstacles. The phrase "a light thing" profoundly emphasizes God's ease in accomplishing what is insurmountable for humanity. Secondly, **Prophetic Authority and Reliability** are central, as Elisha's word, though initially met with skepticism, proves to be the infallible word of the Lord, providing hope and direction in a time of crisis. Thirdly, the narrative highlights the theme of **Divine Favor and Intervention**, often mediated through the faithfulness of individuals. God's intervention here is primarily for the sake of Jehoshaphat's piety, illustrating how one righteous person can bring blessing upon others. Finally, the verse speaks to **Comprehensive Deliverance**, showing that God's provision is not merely for immediate needs (water) but extends to complete victory over long-term challenges (the Moabite threat).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Light (Hebrew, _qal'_):** This adjective, derived from the root meaning "to be light, swift, insignificant," is profoundly significant here. When applied to God's actions, it conveys that the seemingly impossible tasks of providing water in a parched desert and delivering a formidable enemy like the Moabites are not strenuous, difficult, or even noteworthy for Him. It emphasizes God's effortless capability and boundless power, contrasting sharply with the kings' desperation and human limitations. It underscores that what is a monumental challenge for humanity is utterly trivial for the Almighty.
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _nātan'_):** This verb means "to give, place, set, allow, entrust, hand over." In this context, it signifies God's active and decisive role in handing over the Moabites to the allied kings. It implies a complete and absolute victory, where the enemy is fully subdued and brought under the control of the victors. The use of _nātan_ highlights God's sovereign authority over nations and His direct intervention in the affairs of men to fulfill His purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this is [but] a light thing in the sight of the LORD":** This clause reveals God's perspective on the dire situation. The preceding promise of water and the subsequent promise of military victory are presented as utterly insignificant challenges from God's viewpoint. It underscores His omnipotence – what is an overwhelming, life-threatening crisis for humanity is a trivial matter for the Creator of the universe. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" emphasizes that God's assessment is absolute and transcends human limitations or perceptions of difficulty.
* **"he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand":** This is the direct promise of comprehensive victory. The word "also" links this military triumph to the preceding miraculous provision of water, indicating that God's intervention is holistic and extends beyond immediate relief to ultimate conquest. "Into your hand" is an idiomatic expression signifying complete defeat, subjugation, and control over the enemy. It assures the kings that God will not merely alleviate their thirst but will grant them decisive victory over the very rebellion that led them into this predicament.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "a light thing," which dramatically understates the perceived difficulty of providing water in a desert and defeating an enemy army from a human perspective, thereby magnifying God's effortless power. This creates a striking **contrast** between human desperation and divine ease. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" implies a form of **divine anthropomorphism**, inviting the reader to consider God's perspective, where all things are possible. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **prophetic declaration**, a direct and authoritative pronouncement from God through Elisha, emphasizing the certainty and reliability of His word. The structure of the prophecy, moving from immediate need (water) to ultimate victory (Moabites), demonstrates a pattern of **comprehensive divine provision**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and the affairs of nations. It underscores that God is not limited by natural laws, human weakness, or the formidable strength of adversaries. His ability to provide water from nothing and deliver a powerful enemy is a testament to His boundless power, echoing the rhetorical question posed in [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Jeremiah 32:27 - Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?"): "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" The divine intervention, though prompted by the desperate circumstances of all three kings, is explicitly stated to be for the sake of Jehoshaphat's faithfulness, highlighting God's responsiveness to righteousness and His willingness to extend grace through the presence of one devout individual. This comprehensive deliverance, addressing both immediate physical needs and long-term military objectives, demonstrates God's holistic care for His people.

* [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Jeremiah 32:27 - Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The LORD Frustrates the Plans of Nations")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Understanding is Unsearchable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Kings 3:18 offers immense encouragement and a vital perspective for believers navigating overwhelming circumstances today. When faced with situations that appear insurmountable—whether personal struggles, financial crises, health challenges, or spiritual battles—this verse reminds us that our "impossible" is but "a light thing" in the sight of the Lord. It calls us to shift our gaze from the magnitude of our problems to the infinitude of God's power. Just as God effortlessly provided water in the desert and delivered the Moabites, He is able to provide for our needs, overcome our obstacles, and grant victory over our challenges. This truth should cultivate a deeper trust in His capabilities, prompting us to seek His divine guidance through prayer and His Word, knowing that His promises are unwavering and His faithfulness is absolute. It challenges us to surrender our anxieties and embrace the truth that no problem is too great for our Almighty God, who delights in demonstrating His power in our weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situation in your life currently feels overwhelming, and how does this verse reframe your perspective on it?**
* **How does the example of Jehoshaphat encourage you to cultivate a deeper walk with God, knowing that your faithfulness can impact those around you?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to trust Him for a "comprehensive victory" beyond just the immediate relief of a problem?**

### FAQ
**Why was Elisha initially reluctant to help King Jehoram?**

Answer: Elisha's initial reluctance to prophesy for King Jehoram stemmed from Jehoram's persistent idolatry and spiritual compromise. Jehoram, son of Ahab and Jezebel, continued to walk in the ways of his wicked parents, though he did remove the pillar of Baal ([2 Kings 3:2](/2_kings/3-2 "2 Kings 3:2 - Jehoram's Idolatry")). Elisha, as a prophet of the Lord, had a strong disdain for such spiritual unfaithfulness and would not normally associate with or offer divine counsel to such a king. However, for the sake of the righteous King Jehoshaphat of Judah, who was part of the alliance and genuinely sought the Lord, Elisha relented and agreed to inquire of God. This highlights God's justice in not readily assisting the unrepentant, yet His grace can extend to them through the presence and intercession of a faithful individual.

**What does "a light thing" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "a light thing" (Hebrew: _qal_) in [2 Kings 3:18](/2_kings/3-18 "2 Kings 3:18 - A Light Thing in the Sight of the LORD") is a powerful expression of God's boundless power and effortless sovereignty. It means that for the Lord, providing water in a barren desert and delivering a formidable enemy like the Moabites is not difficult, strenuous, or even noteworthy; it is trivial and easily accomplished. This contrasts sharply with the kings' desperate situation and their perception of the insurmountable challenges they faced. It serves to underscore that nothing is too hard for God, perfectly aligning with the sentiment found in [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Jeremiah 32:27 - Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?"), where God declares, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The declaration in [2 Kings 3:18](/2_kings/3-18 "2 Kings 3:18 - A Light Thing in the Sight of the LORD")—that providing water and delivering the Moabites is "a light thing in the sight of the LORD"—finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. For the Son of God, all human impossibilities are indeed "light things." His earthly ministry was replete with demonstrations of this divine ease: calming raging storms with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), feeding thousands from a few loaves and fish ([Matthew 14:19-21](/matthew/14-19 "Matthew 14:19-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), healing all manner of diseases ([Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus Heals Many")), and even raising the dead ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43 "John 11:43-44 - Lazarus Raised")). These miracles were not arduous tasks for Him but effortless expressions of His inherent divine power. Most significantly, the greatest "impossible" for humanity—overcoming sin, death, and the power of the devil—was for Christ, though infinitely costly in suffering, a "light thing" in terms of His divine capacity to achieve it. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus "delivered" humanity from the hand of our spiritual enemies, triumphing over principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")) and destroying the one who has the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")). Thus, the comprehensive deliverance promised in the Old Testament finds its perfect realization in Christ, who empowers believers to face all things, for "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")).

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

Luke 1:37

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Jeremiah 32:27

Behold, I [am] the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:

2 Kings 20:10

And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

Mark 10:27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Isaiah 49:6

And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,