2 Kings 3:25

And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about [it], and smote it.

And they beat down {H2040} the cities {H5892}, and on every good {H2896} piece {H2513} of land cast {H7993} every man {H376} his stone {H68}, and filled {H4390} it; and they stopped {H5640} all the wells {H4599} of water {H4325}, and felled {H5307} all the good {H2896} trees {H6086}: only in Kirharaseth {H7025} left {H7604} they the stones {H68} thereof; howbeit the slingers {H7051} went about {H5437} it, and smote {H5221} it.

They made ruins of the cities. Each man threw his stone on every good field, covering it. They stopped up all the wells. They chopped down all the good trees. Finally, all that remained was Kir-Hareset behind its stone wall, with the slingers surrounding and attacking it.

They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well.

And they beat down the cities; and on every good piece of land they cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the fountains of water, and felled all the good trees, until in Kir-hareseth only they left the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.

Commentary

Context of 2 Kings 3:25

This verse details the ruthless tactics employed by the allied armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom against Moab. The expedition was launched by King Jehoram of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom as a punitive measure against Mesha, the king of Moab, who had rebelled and refused to pay tribute after the death of Ahab. Following a miraculous provision of water and a decisive victory prophesied by the prophet Elisha, the allied forces pursued the retreating Moabites. Verse 25 describes the extreme measures taken to utterly devastate Moabite territory, aiming to cripple their ability to recover or wage war again.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Scorched-Earth Warfare: The primary theme is the implementation of a brutal "scorched-earth" policy. The allied armies systematically destroyed infrastructure and resources crucial for life and agriculture.
    • Agricultural Ruin: By casting stones on "every good piece of land," they rendered fertile ground unusable, effectively destroying the agricultural base for years to come.
    • Resource Depletion: Stopping "all the wells of water" and felling "all the good trees" eliminated vital water sources and timber, essential for survival and rebuilding.
  • Desperation and Ruthlessness: This verse highlights the harsh realities and extreme measures of ancient warfare, where the objective was not just victory but often the complete subjugation and incapacitation of the enemy.
  • Siege of Kirharaseth: The mention of Kirharaseth (also known as Kir-hareseth or Kir of Moab), a strong fortress, indicates a final stand by the Moabites. The "slingers" going about it suggests a relentless siege to break the last vestiges of resistance, foreshadowing the desperate act of the king of Moab in the following verse.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrases used are direct and descriptive, emphasizing the totality of the destruction. "Good piece of land" (ื—ึถืœึฐืงึธื” ื˜ื•ึนื‘ึธื”, แธฅelqah แนญovah) refers to fertile, cultivable ground, underscoring the strategic aim of destroying their agricultural future. The phrase "cast every man his stone, and filled it" depicts a collective, thorough effort to make the land barren, likely by covering it with rocks to prevent cultivation.

Practical Application and Reflection

While a historical account of ancient warfare, this verse serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict and rebellion. It illustrates the lengths to which nations would go to secure victory and punish defiance. For believers, it can prompt reflection on the destructive nature of sin and rebellion against God's will, which can lead to spiritual desolation, much like the physical desolation described here. In contrast to such human ruthlessness, God's ultimate desire is for repentance and restoration, though He is also just in judgment.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 48:36

    Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches [that] he hath gotten are perished.

  • Isaiah 16:7

    Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely [they are] stricken.

  • Jeremiah 48:31

    Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; [mine heart] shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.

  • 2 Kings 3:19

    And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.

  • Isaiah 16:11

    Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

  • Genesis 26:18

    And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

  • Isaiah 15:1

    ยถ The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, [and] brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, [and] brought to silence;