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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
Second Kings 3:23 captures a pivotal moment of catastrophic misjudgment by the Moabite army. Observing the morning sun reflecting off miraculously provided water in the desert, they tragically misinterpreted the reddish hue as the blood of the allied kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom, leading them to believe their enemies had annihilated each other. This fatal misperception, fueled by overconfidence and a ravenous desire for plunder, spurred them into a disastrous charge that ultimately sealed their defeat at the hands of the very forces they presumed vanquished.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The narrative in 2 Kings 3:23 masterfully employs several potent literary devices. Irony is paramount, as what appears to be a sign of destruction (blood) is, in fact, a sign of divine provision and impending victory for Israel. The Moabites rush in for plunder, only to become the plundered themselves. Symbolism is also present; the "blood" symbolizes both death (as the Moabites interpret it) and life (as the water sustains the allied armies). The deceptive appearance of blood serves as a powerful Foreshadowing device, hinting at the bloodshed that will indeed occur, but not in the way the Moabites anticipate—it will be their own. The entire scenario functions as a Divine Stratagem, where God uses a natural phenomenon, enhanced by a miracle, to create a deceptive appearance that leads the enemy to their doom. This highlights God's superior wisdom and His ability to outmaneuver human adversaries with unexpected and counter-intuitive methods.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Moabites' fatal misjudgment in 2 Kings 3:23 serves as a profound theological lesson on the dangers of human presumption and the unfathomable ways of divine providence. God's wisdom often operates beyond human comprehension, turning what appears to be a disaster into an instrument of deliverance. What seemed to be a sign of utter defeat for the allied kings was, in God's sovereign plan, the very means by which He would secure their victory. This narrative underscores that God is not limited by human logic or conventional warfare; He can use natural phenomena, human error, and even the enemy's greed and overconfidence to accomplish His purposes. It teaches us to look beyond superficial appearances and to trust in God's unseen hand, His sovereign control, and His unfailing wisdom, for His thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours, often working in counter-intuitive ways to bring about His perfect will and glory.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the Moabites' misperception in 2 Kings 3:23 offers timeless lessons for believers today. In a world often driven by superficial appearances, hasty judgments, and the allure of quick gain, this narrative calls us to cultivate profound discernment, patience, and a deep reliance on God. We are powerfully reminded that God often works in mysterious ways, and what may initially seem like an insurmountable obstacle, a devastating loss, or a sign of defeat in our lives could, in His divine economy, be the very setup for a miraculous breakthrough or an unexpected deliverance. This verse challenges us to resist the urge to draw immediate conclusions based solely on what our eyes perceive or what our immediate circumstances suggest, especially when they appear bleak or contradictory to our hopes. Instead, we are called to trust implicitly in God's unseen hand, His sovereign control, and His unfailing wisdom, even when the path ahead is unclear or seemingly contradictory to logical outcomes. It also serves as a potent warning against the dangers of overconfidence, unchecked greed, and underestimating the power of God, reminding us that humility, careful assessment, and unwavering reliance on Him are always the wisest and safest courses of action.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God use a deceptive appearance to defeat the Moabites?
Answer: God's use of the deceptive appearance of "blood" in 2 Kings 3:23 was a strategic act of divine judgment and deliverance, demonstrating His sovereignty over both natural phenomena and human perception. It was not deception in the sense of lying or moral wrongdoing, but rather a miraculous manipulation of light, water, and the environment that led the Moabites, in their pride and greed, to draw a false conclusion. This method allowed God to defeat His enemies decisively without the allied armies having to engage in a prolonged, costly battle, showcasing His power and wisdom in a way that glorified Him. It aligns with instances where God "hardens hearts" or allows people to be deluded when they have rejected truth or are consumed by their own desires, ultimately serving His righteous and sovereign purposes (e.g., Exodus 7:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:11).
What was the significance of the miraculous water in this narrative?
Answer: The miraculous provision of water in 2 Kings 3:20-22 was multifaceted in its profound significance. Primarily, it was a direct answer to prayer and a powerful sign of God's covenant faithfulness to His people, preserving the allied armies from perishing in the desolate desert. Without this life-giving water, the entire military campaign would have failed. Secondly, it served as the very instrument of the "deception" for the Moabites, as its reddish reflection created the illusion of blood. Thus, the same miracle that sustained and delivered Israel became the catalyst for Moab's downfall, highlighting God's remarkable ability to use one event for multiple, often contrasting, purposes within His sovereign plan.
Does this story imply that God actively deceives people?
Answer: This story does not imply that God actively engages in malicious deception or lying in a way that compromises His holy character. Instead, it demonstrates God's sovereign control over circumstances and His profound ability to use natural phenomena, the inherent biases, and the unrighteous desires (like greed for plunder) of His enemies to bring about His righteous judgment and secure deliverance for His people. The Moabites' misinterpretation was a direct consequence of their own assumptions and their covetousness, and God, in His sovereignty, allowed their flawed perception to lead them to their ruin. It is a powerful demonstration of God's wisdom in outmaneuvering His adversaries, rather than a depiction of Him as a deceiver in a moral or unethical sense.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The strategic divine intervention in 2 Kings 3:23, where a deceptive appearance leads to the enemy's downfall and God's people are delivered, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the seemingly disastrous "blood" was actually a sign of life and impending victory for Israel, so too the "blood" of Christ, shed on the cross, appeared to be the ultimate defeat to the powers of darkness but was, in reality, the decisive victory over sin, death, and the devil. The enemies of God, including Satan and his demonic forces, believed they had "slain" the King of kings, securing their "spoil" through His death, yet this very act was God's ultimate strategic deliverance for humanity. Through His crucifixion, Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them by the cross, making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). What appeared to the world as weakness and utter defeat—a crucified Messiah—was, in God's divine wisdom, the very power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (1 Corinthians 1:23-25). The "blood" of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), is not a sign of mutual destruction but the very source of new life, forgiveness, and eternal victory for all who believe, demonstrating God's perfect plan to overcome spiritual enemies and secure ultimate deliverance for His people through the ultimate, self-sacrificial love of His Son.