2 Kings 3:24

KJV

And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in [their] country.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when they came {H935} to the camp {H4264} of Israel {H3478}, the Israelites {H3478} rose up {H6965} and smote {H5221} the Moabites {H4124}, so that they fled {H5127} before {H6440} them: but they went forward {H5221} smiting {H5221} the Moabites {H4124}, even in their country.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they arrived at the camp of Isra'el, Isra'el launched an attack, so that Mo'av fled before them. But they advanced on Mo'av and struck it.

Berean Standard Bible

But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites.

American Standard Version

And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they went forward into the land smiting the Moabites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 3:24 chronicles the dramatic reversal of fortune for the allied forces of Israel, Judah, and Edom, as they decisively routed the Moabite army. Following a divinely orchestrated deception where miraculous water appeared as blood to the Moabites, leading them to believe the allied kings had destroyed each other, this verse depicts the Israelite coalition rising from their camp to launch a devastating counter-attack. What the Moabites anticipated as an easy plundering expedition quickly transformed into a comprehensive defeat, as the Israelites not only repelled the initial assault but pursued their fleeing enemies deep into their own territory, inflicting heavy losses and securing a complete victory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic culmination of a desperate military campaign initiated by King Jehoram of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom against the rebellious Moabites. The narrative immediately preceding this verse details the dire predicament of the allied armies, who faced severe dehydration in the wilderness of Edom after Moab's rebellion (as noted in [2 Kings 3:5](/2_kings/3-5 "2 Kings 3:5 - Moab's Rebellion")). In their distress, they sought the prophet Elisha, who, despite his initial reluctance toward Jehoram, miraculously prophesied both the provision of water and a decisive victory over Moab (cf. [2 Kings 3:17](/2_kings/3-17 "2 Kings 3:17 - Elisha's Prophecy of Water and Victory")). The preceding verses describe how God supernaturally filled the valley with water overnight, which, at sunrise, reflected the sun's rays in such a way that it appeared as blood to the Moabites. This optical illusion led the Moabites to erroneously conclude that the allied kings had turned on each other and slaughtered themselves, prompting them to rush into the Israelite camp expecting easy plunder, only to meet a prepared and divinely empowered enemy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The rebellion of Moab against Israel after the death of Ahab (circa 853 BCE) was a significant geopolitical event, as Moab had been a vassal state paying tribute to Israel (cf. [2 Kings 3:4](/2_kings/3-4 "2 Kings 3:4 - Mesha's Rebellion")). The campaign through the wilderness of Edom highlights the harsh realities of ancient warfare, where logistical challenges like water scarcity could be as formidable as the enemy itself. The Moabites' assumption that the allied kings had engaged in internecine conflict reflects a common understanding of political instability and treachery among rival kingdoms in the ancient Near East. Their subsequent rush to plunder the seemingly abandoned camp was a standard military tactic, driven by the desire for spoils and the complete subjugation of a defeated foe. The pursuit of the fleeing enemy into their own country, as described in this verse, was also a typical strategy for ensuring a decisive victory and preventing future resistance, often involving the destruction of resources and fortifications, as would follow in the subsequent verses of [2 Kings 3](/2_kings/3 "2 Kings 3 - The War Against Moab").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of the chapter and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Intervention and Deliverance**, demonstrating God's active involvement in the affairs of His people. The victory described here is not merely a result of human military prowess but a direct consequence of God's miraculous provision of water and strategic deception of the enemy, echoing earlier instances of God fighting for Israel, as seen in [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight For You"). Another key theme is **Decisive Victory and Pursuit**, where the "rising up and smiting" signifies an overwhelming counter-attack, and the continued pursuit into Moabite territory emphasizes the completeness of the victory, asserting dominance and inflicting heavy losses. Finally, the verse underscores the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, serving as a testament to the reliability of God's word spoken through His prophets. Elisha's promise of victory (cf. [2 Kings 3:18](/2_kings/3-18 "2 Kings 3:18 - Elisha's Prophecy of Victory")) was precisely fulfilled, reinforcing faith in God's power and faithfulness to those who seek Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** The Hebrew verb נָכָה (_nakah_) is a foundational term in biblical warfare, conveying a strong sense of striking, beating, or inflicting a decisive blow. Its repeated use in 2 Kings 3:24—"smote the Moabites" and "went forward smiting the Moabites"—powerfully underscores the intensity, determination, and persistence of the Israelite attack. It signifies not merely a defensive stand but a full-scale offensive that utterly shattered the Moabite threat, transforming their anticipated plunder into their own catastrophic defeat. The repetition emphasizes the relentless nature of the pursuit and the comprehensive nature of the victory.
* **Fled (Hebrew, _nus'_):** The verb נוּס (_nus_) means "to flee, to escape, to take flight." In this context, it vividly describes the immediate and panicked retreat of the Moabite forces. Their flight was not an orderly withdrawal but a desperate scramble, indicative of their shock and the overwhelming force of the Israelite counter-attack. This word highlights the sudden and complete collapse of Moabite morale and their inability to withstand the unexpected onslaught, turning their confident advance into a chaotic rout.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they came to the camp of Israel,"**: This clause sets the scene, describing the Moabite army's arrival at the Israelite encampment. They arrived with the intention of plundering, having been deceived by the appearance of blood-like water, believing the allied kings had annihilated each other. This moment is pregnant with dramatic irony, as their expectation of an easy victory is about to be violently subverted.
* **"the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites,"**: This marks the pivotal turning point. "Rose up" indicates a sudden, coordinated, and decisive action from a position of readiness. Instead of finding a desolate camp, the Moabites encountered a prepared and invigorated Israelite army. "Smote" (as analyzed above) conveys the ferocity and effectiveness of this initial counter-attack, which caught the Moabites completely off guard and immediately reversed the momentum of the battle.
* **"so that they fled before them:"**: This phrase describes the immediate and inevitable consequence of the Israelite assault. The Moabites, disoriented and surprised, were unable to withstand the unexpected onslaught and broke ranks, fleeing in disarray. Their confident advance turned into a panicked retreat, signifying the collapse of their military cohesion and morale.
* **"but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in [their] country."**: This final clause emphasizes the completeness and relentlessness of the Israelite victory. The allied forces did not merely defend their camp or repel the attack; they launched a full-scale pursuit. "Went forward smiting" indicates a continued, aggressive offensive, pushing the battle beyond the camp and deep into Moabite territory. This pursuit ensured a comprehensive defeat, allowing the Israelites to inflict maximum damage and assert their dominance over the rebellious Moabites, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy of a decisive victory.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Kings 3:24 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact and theological significance. **Irony** is paramount, as the Moabites, anticipating easy plunder from what they believed was a self-annihilated enemy, instead stumble into a divinely empowered ambush. Their confident advance is met with a devastating defeat, a stark reversal of expectations orchestrated by God. The **Repetition** of the verb "smote" (Hebrew _nakah_) in "smote the Moabites" and "smiting the Moabites" underscores the intensity, persistence, and thoroughness of the Israelite offensive. This repetition emphasizes the relentless nature of the pursuit and the comprehensive destruction inflicted upon the Moabite forces. Furthermore, the entire episode functions as a demonstration of **Divine Providence** or **Divine Intervention**, where God actively manipulates circumstances (the miraculous water appearing as blood) to deceive the enemy and secure victory for His people, transforming a desperate situation into a triumphant display of His power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the biblical principle of God's active intervention on behalf of His people, particularly when they are in desperate circumstances and turn to Him. The victory over Moab was not achieved through superior military strategy or strength alone, but through a miraculous, divinely orchestrated deception and empowerment. This highlights God's sovereignty over all creation and His ability to turn seemingly insurmountable odds into opportunities for His glory. It underscores His faithfulness to His covenant promises and His willingness to fight for those who trust in Him, even when their own resources are exhausted. The comprehensive nature of the victory, extending into Moabite territory, speaks to the completeness of God's deliverance and His judgment against those who oppose His people.

* [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight For You")
* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - The Lord Your God Goes With You")
* [Joshua 10:14](/joshua/10-14 "Joshua 10:14 - The Lord Fought for Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic turnaround in 2 Kings 3:24 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even when our resources are depleted, our circumstances seem dire, and the enemy appears to have the upper hand, God's power is not limited by human impossibilities. Just as the allied armies faced dehydration and a seemingly overwhelming foe, we too encounter "wilderness" periods in our lives—moments of spiritual dryness, overwhelming challenges, or formidable opposition. This narrative encourages us to seek God's guidance through His Word and prayer, trusting that He can provide miraculous solutions and strategic breakthroughs where none seem possible. It calls us to move from a posture of despair to one of faith, knowing that God can turn the tide of any battle, transforming our defensive stands into victorious advances. Our role is to be prepared, to obey His leading, and to participate in the victory He secures, recognizing that true strength comes from His divine intervention, not merely our own efforts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness" situations in your life are you currently experiencing a sense of desperation or overwhelming odds?**
* **How does the miraculous nature of God's intervention in this story encourage you to trust Him with seemingly impossible situations?**
* **What "Moabites"—spiritual or circumstantial challenges—are you called to "rise up and smite" with God's help today?**
* **How can you better position yourself to recognize and respond to God's unexpected interventions in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Moabites think the water was blood, and how did this lead to their defeat?**

Answer: The Moabites were deceived by a miraculous phenomenon. After Elisha prophesied that God would fill the valley with water without wind or rain, the water appeared at sunrise. The red soil of the region, combined with the rising sun's reflection on the water, made the water appear like blood to the Moabites from a distance. They concluded that the allied kings (Israel, Judah, and Edom) had fallen into internal strife and slaughtered each other, leaving their camp vulnerable and ripe for plunder. This misperception, driven by their own greed and a common understanding of ancient Near Eastern political treachery, led them to rush carelessly into the Israelite camp expecting an easy victory, only to be met by a prepared and divinely empowered army, resulting in their catastrophic defeat (see [2 Kings 3:22-23](/2_kings/3-22 "2 Kings 3:22-23 - The Water Appears as Blood")).

**What was the significance of the Israelites pursuing the Moabites "even in their country"?**

Answer: The pursuit of the Moabites "even in their country" signifies the completeness and decisiveness of the Israelite victory. In ancient warfare, merely repelling an attack was often not enough to secure lasting peace or assert dominance. Pursuing the fleeing enemy into their own territory allowed the victorious army to inflict maximum damage, prevent the enemy from regrouping, and destroy their resources and infrastructure. This comprehensive pursuit, which continued in the following verses with the destruction of cities and fields (cf. [2 Kings 3:25](/2_kings/3-25 "2 Kings 3:25 - Destruction of Moabite Cities")), ensured that Moab's rebellion was thoroughly crushed and that they would not pose an immediate threat again. It was a clear demonstration of the allied forces' overwhelming power and God's fulfillment of His promise of a decisive victory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic victory in 2 Kings 3:24, orchestrated by divine deception and power, foreshadows the ultimate and decisive victory achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as the Moabites rushed into what they thought was an easy triumph, only to encounter a prepared and divinely empowered force, so too did the powers of sin, death, and the devil believe they had triumphed at the cross. Yet, the crucifixion, far from being a defeat, was God's ultimate strategic maneuver, where 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")), disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The Israelites' pursuit of the Moabites into their own land prefigures Christ's comprehensive victory over our spiritual enemies, not merely repelling them but conquering their domain. Through His resurrection, Christ pursued death into its own territory and emerged victorious, offering us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ ([1 Corinthians 15:57](/1_corinthians/15-57 "1 Corinthians 15:57 - Victory Through Christ")). This passage reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")), and our ultimate victory is secured in the one who has already triumphed over all.

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

1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

1 Thessalonians 5:4

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Joshua 8:20

And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

Joshua 8:22

And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.

Judges 20:40

But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.

Judges 20:46

So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these [were] men of valour.