2 Kings 3:6

ยถ And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel.

And king {H4428} Jehoram {H3088} went out {H3318} of Samaria {H8111} the same time {H3117}, and numbered {H6485} all Israel {H3478}.

Y'horam left Shomron and mustered all Isra'el.

So at that time King Jehoram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel.

And king Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time, and mustered all Israel.

Commentary

2 Kings 3:6 KJV Commentary

Context

Verse 6 of 2 Kings 3 marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King Jehoram (also known as Joram) of Israel. Jehoram had recently ascended to the throne in Samaria after the death of his brother, Ahaziah, and continued the idolatrous practices of his predecessors, though he did remove a pillar of Baal that his father, Ahab, had made (2 Kings 3:2). The immediate catalyst for Jehoram's actions in this verse is the rebellion of Mesha, the king of Moab, who had been paying tribute to Israel but ceased after Ahab's death (2 Kings 3:4-5). Jehoram's "going out of Samaria" and "numbering all Israel" is a direct and strategic response to this challenge, signaling his intent to quell the Moabite rebellion through military force.

Key Themes

  • Royal Authority and Military Mobilization: This verse highlights the king's prerogative and responsibility to command and mobilize his nation's fighting forces. Jehoram's act of "numbering all Israel" was not merely a census but a mustering of troops for war, demonstrating his exercise of royal authority in a time of national threat.
  • Preparation for Conflict: The immediate response to the Moabite rebellion was a swift and decisive military preparation. Jehoram understood that a significant challenge required a significant show of force, setting the stage for the alliance with Judah and Edom described in subsequent verses.
  • Strategic Response to Rebellion: The verse underscores the pragmatic and strategic thinking involved in ancient Near Eastern kingship. Facing a rebellious vassal, Jehoram's first move was to assess and gather his military strength.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "numbered all Israel" uses the Hebrew verb paqad (ืคึธึผืงึทื“), which in a military context means to muster, review, or conscript. It implies an organized counting and assessment of available fighting men, rather than a general population census. This was a common practice when preparing for war, as seen in other biblical accounts of military readiness, such as the census taken in the wilderness in Numbers 1 or King David's controversial numbering of Israel in 2 Samuel 24.

Practical Application

While this verse describes a historical military action, it offers insights into leadership and preparation. It teaches us the importance of being prepared and proactive when facing challenges, whether personal, communal, or spiritual. Just as Jehoram mobilized his nation to address a threat, believers are called to be prepared for spiritual battles, often by putting on the full armor of God and being ready to stand firm in faith. The passage reminds us that effective leadership involves assessing a situation, understanding the resources at hand, and taking deliberate steps to address the challenge.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 24:1

    ยถ And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

  • 2 Samuel 24:25

    And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

  • 1 Kings 20:27

    And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.

  • 1 Samuel 11:8

    And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

  • 1 Samuel 15:4

    And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
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