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Commentary on 2 Kings 3 verses 20–27
I. We have here the divine gift of both those things which God had promised by Elisha - water and victory, and the former not only a pledge of the latter, but a means of it. God, who created, and commands, all the waters, both above and beneath the firmament, sent them an abundance of water on a sudden, which did them double service.
1.It relieved their armies, which were ready to perish, Kg2 3:20. And, which was very observable, this relief came just at the time of the offering of the morning sacrifice upon the altar at Jerusalem, a certain time, and universally known. That time Elisha chose for his hour of prayer (it is likely looking towards the temple, for so there were to do in their prayers when they were going out to battle and encamped at a distance, Kg1 8:44), in token of his communion with the temple-service, and his expectation of success by virtue of the great sacrifice. We now cannot pitch upon any hour more acceptable than another, because our high priest is always appearing for us, to present and plead his sacrifice. That time God chose for the hour of mercy to put an honour upon the daily sacrifice, which had been despised. God answered Daniel's prayer just at the time of the evening sacrifice (Dan 9:21); for he will acknowledge his own institutions.
2.It deceived their enemies, who were ready to triumph, into the destruction. Notice was given to the Moabites of the advances of the confederate army, to oppose which all that were able to put on armour were posted upon the frontiers, where they were ready to give the Israelites a warm reception (v. 21), promising themselves that it would be easy dealing with an army fatigued by so long a march through the wilderness of Edom. But see here,
(1.)How easily they were drawn into their own delusions. Observe the steps of their self-deceit. [1.] They saw the water in the valley where the army of Israel encamped, and conceited it was blood (Kg2 3:22), because they knew the valley to be dry, and (there having been no rain) could not imagine it should be water. The sun shone upon it, and probably the sky was red and lowering, a presage of foul weather that day (Mat 16:3), and so it proved to them. But, this making the water look red, their own fancies, which made them willing to believe what made for them, suggested, This is blood, God permitting them thus to impose upon themselves. [2.] If their camp was thus full of blood, they conclude, "Certainly the kings have fallen out (as confederates of different interests are apt to do) and they have slain one another (Kg2 3:23), for who else should slay them?" And, [3.] "If the armies have slain one another, we have nothing to do but to divide the prey. Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil." These were the gradual suggestions of some sanguine spirits among them, that thought themselves wiser and happier in their conjectures than their neighbours; and the rest, being desirous it should be so, were forward to believe it was so. Quod volumus facile credimus - What we wish we readily believe. Thus those that are to be destroyed are first deceived (Rev 20:8), and none are so effectually deceived as those that deceive themselves.
(2.)How fatally they thereby ran upon their own destruction. They rushed carelessly into the camp of Israel, to plunder it, but were undeceived when it was too late. The Israelites, animated by the assurances Elisha had given them of victory, fell upon them with the utmost fury, routed them, and pursued them into their own country (Kg2 3:24), which they laid waste (Kg2 3:25), destroyed the cities, marred the ground, stopped up the wells, felled the timber, and left only the royal city standing, in the walls of which they made great breaches with their battering engines. This they got by rebelling against Israel. Who ever hardened his heart against God and prospered?
II. In the close of the chapter we are told what the king of Moab did when he found himself reduced to the last extremity by the besiegers, and that his capital city was likely to fall into their hands. 1. He attempted that which was bold and brave. he got together 700 choice men, and with them sallied out upon the intrenchments of the king of Edom, who, being but a mercenary in this expedition, would not, he hoped, make any great resistance if vigorously attacked, and so he might make his escape that way. But it would not do; even the king of Edom proved too hard for him, and obliged him to retire, Kg2 3:26. 2. This failing, he did that which was brutish and barbarous; he took his own son, his eldest son, that was to succeed him, than whom nothing could be more dear to himself and his people, and offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall, Kg2 3:27. He designed by this, (1.) To obtain the favour of Chemosh his god, which, being a devil, delighted in blood and murder, and the destruction of mankind. The dearer any thing was to them the more acceptable those idolaters thought it must needs be if offered in sacrifice to their gods, and therefore burnt their children in the fire to their honour. (2.) To terrify the besiegers, and oblige them to retire. Therefore he did it upon the wall, in their sight, that they might see what desperate courses he resolved to take rather than surrender, and how dearly he would sell his city and life. He intended hereby to render them odious, and to exasperate and enrage his own subjects against them. This effect it had: There was great indignation against Israel for driving him to this extremity, whereupon they raised the siege and returned. Tender and generous spirits will not do that, though just, which will drive any man distracted, or make him desperate.
“The kings fought together and killed one another.” After the water had come and the armies of Jehoshaphat and his allied kings had drunk their fill, the Moabites, who had seen that the water was red, said this. But they were wrong, because the color of the water had become red on account of the coming of the sun that oppressed them. When they saw the stream flow, they did not think that water was actually flowing in it, because rain had not fallen in all those days. Consequently they took for granted that no source of water could exist in that dried and scorched region. Therefore they thought that the gods of their homeland had caused the kings and their armies to attack and destroy one another. Indeed, they were easily inclined to religious dissensions. They believed that what they saw flowing in the stream was the blood from the carnage of battle.
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SUMMARY
This verse vividly portrays a critical moment in the campaign against Moab, where a miraculous divine provision of water for the allied armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom is tragically misinterpreted by their adversaries. As the morning sun illuminates the newly filled ditches, its reflection on the reddish desert soil creates a striking optical illusion, causing the Moabites to perceive the water as blood. This profound misperception leads them to a fatal strategic blunder, believing the allied kings had turned on each other and left their camp vulnerable for plunder, thereby setting the stage for their ultimate defeat and highlighting God's sovereign control over circumstances and human understanding.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: 2 Kings 3:22 is embedded within a narrative detailing a desperate military alliance. King Jehoram of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the King of Edom have united to quell a Moabite rebellion. Their chosen route through the wilderness of Edom leads to a severe water shortage, threatening the entire campaign. In their distress, they consult the prophet Elisha, who, despite his disdain for Jehoram, prophesies a miraculous provision of water without rain or wind, along with victory over Moab. Elisha instructs them to dig ditches (2 Kings 3:16-17), and the preceding verse (2 Kings 3:20) confirms the overnight fulfillment of this prophecy. Simultaneously, the Moabites, unaware of this divine intervention, were mobilizing for battle (2 Kings 3:21). This immediate literary context starkly contrasts divine faithfulness and human misjudgment, dramatically setting the scene for the ensuing events.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events of 2 Kings 3 are set during the reigns of Jehoram in Israel and Jehoshaphat in Judah, placing them in the mid-9th century BCE. Moab, a long-standing neighbor, had been a tributary state to Israel since David's time but rebelled after King Ahab's death (2 Kings 1:1). Military campaigns in the ancient Near East faced immense logistical challenges, especially securing water in arid regions like the wilderness of Edom. Seeking prophetic counsel before major undertakings, particularly battles, was a common practice, especially for kings like Jehoshaphat who sought divine guidance. The "early morning" attack was a standard military tactic designed to achieve surprise. The sight of "blood" on a battlefield was universally understood as a sign of decisive defeat or internal strife, often prompting a rush to plunder. The reddish soil prevalent in the Edomite wilderness would have naturally contributed to the optical illusion when combined with water and illuminated by the rising sun, making the Moabites' misinterpretation culturally and geographically plausible.
Key Themes: This pivotal verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. A primary theme is Divine Intervention and Sovereignty, showcasing God's active involvement in human affairs, specifically in delivering His people. The miraculous provision of water, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy, underscores God's power to provide in impossible circumstances, echoing earlier wilderness provisions like the water from the rock in Exodus 17:6. Another crucial theme is Deception and Misperception, where God uses a natural phenomenon—the sun reflecting on water over reddish earth—to create a visual illusion that leads the Moabites to a fatal strategic error. This highlights the dangers of relying solely on superficial appearances and the consequences of Human Misjudgment. The Moabites' greed and eagerness to plunder, based on their mistaken belief that the allied forces had destroyed each other (2 Kings 3:23), serve as a cautionary tale. Ultimately, the narrative reinforces the theme of God's Use of Unconventional Means to achieve His purposes, transforming a desperate situation for His people into an opportunity for their deliverance and the decisive defeat of their adversaries.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to heighten the drama and underscore its theological message. The most prominent is Simile, explicitly stated in the phrase "red as blood" (כַּדָּם, kaddām). This comparison is central to the Moabites' misinterpretation, vividly conveying the deceptive appearance of the water. Furthermore, the narrative employs profound Dramatic Irony. The audience, having just witnessed God's miraculous provision of water in 2 Kings 3:20, knows the true nature of the "blood"—it is life-giving water. The Moabites, however, are tragically ignorant, perceiving it as a sign of death and internal strife within the enemy camp. This creates a powerful tension, as the reader anticipates the Moabites' impending doom due to their fatal misjudgment. There is also an element of Divine Stratagem or Divine Deception, where God orchestrates natural phenomena (the sun, the water, the reddish soil) to create an illusion that serves His strategic purpose of delivering His people and defeating their enemies. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over both nature and human perception.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The scene in 2 Kings 3:22 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over creation and His ability to use even natural phenomena and human misperception to achieve His redemptive purposes. The miraculous provision of water is a testament to His faithfulness to His people, even when they are undeserving (as King Jehoram was). Simultaneously, the Moabites' fatal misjudgment underscores the danger of relying on superficial appearances and the consequences of greed. God's wisdom far surpasses human understanding, and He can turn the enemy's perceived advantage into their undoing. This narrative serves as a potent reminder that God's ways are often unexpected and that His deliverance can come through means that defy human logic, ultimately bringing glory to His name.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 2 Kings 3:22 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's methods are often beyond our comprehension and that our perception can be easily deceived. Just as the Moabites misread the signs, we too can misinterpret circumstances, allowing fear, desire, or preconceived notions to cloud our judgment. This passage calls us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's unseen hand, recognizing that what appears to be a dire situation may, in fact, be God's strategic setup for our deliverance or for the defeat of spiritual adversaries. It challenges us to look beyond immediate appearances and to seek divine wisdom and discernment, understanding that God works in mysterious ways to fulfill His promises and demonstrate His sovereignty. Our reliance should be on His character and His Word, not on the shifting sands of what our eyes perceive.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the water appear red as blood?
Answer: The water appeared "red as blood" due to a precise combination of natural phenomena and the specific geographical context. The most accepted explanation is that the early morning sun, shining at a low angle, reflected off the miraculously provided water that had filled the ditches. This water was likely sitting on or flowing over the reddish soil characteristic of the wilderness of Edom (the route taken by the armies). The reflection of the sun on water over red earth would create a vivid optical illusion, making the water appear crimson, mimicking the sight of blood on a battlefield. This illusion was crucial for the Moabites' misinterpretation, leading them to believe the allied armies had turned on each other.
Was God actively deceiving the Moabites in this situation?
Answer: While the text does not explicitly state that God "deceived" the Moabites in a malicious sense, it clearly shows God orchestrating events in such a way that the Moabites' own misperception and greed led to their downfall. Elisha prophesied that the Lord would deliver Moab into the allied kings' hand (2 Kings 3:18). The "red as blood" appearance was a natural consequence of the miraculous water provision and the environment, which God sovereignly used as a strategic advantage. It's less about God lying and more about Him allowing the Moabites to draw a fatal, self-serving conclusion from what they saw, aligning with their own expectations and desires for plunder. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over circumstances and human understanding, using even the enemy's misjudgment to achieve His purposes, as seen in other instances where God brings confusion upon His adversaries (e.g., Exodus 14:24).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic scene in 2 Kings 3:22, where life-giving water is tragically mistaken for blood, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as God miraculously provided water in the wilderness for physical sustenance and strategic victory, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "living water" who provides spiritual sustenance and eternal life. He declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37). The Moabites' fatal misjudgment of the water foreshadows humanity's spiritual blindness and misjudgment of Christ. Many saw Jesus, yet failed to recognize Him as the Son of God, perceiving Him instead as a mere man, a blasphemer, or a political threat, leading them to crucify the "Lord of glory" (1 Corinthians 2:8). Yet, it is through the ultimate "blood"—not a deceptive illusion, but the real, atoning blood of Christ shed on the cross—that humanity finds true victory over sin and death. This blood, which speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:24), is the source of our cleansing (1 John 1:7) and redemption (Ephesians 1:7). Thus, what was a physical deception leading to earthly victory in 2 Kings 3 points to the spiritual reality of Christ's sacrifice, where His very real blood brings eternal life and victory to those who, unlike the Moabites, correctly perceive Him as Savior and Lord.