2 Kings 3:7

KJV

And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I [am] as thou [art], my people as thy people, [and] my horses as thy horses.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he went {H3212} and sent {H7971} to Jehoshaphat {H3092} the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, saying {H559}, The king {H4428} of Moab {H4124} hath rebelled {H6586} against me: wilt thou go {H3212} with me against Moab {H4124} to battle {H4421}? And he said {H559}, I will go up {H5927}: I am as thou art, my people {H5971} as thy people {H5971}, and my horses {H5483} as thy horses {H5483}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He also went and sent this word to Y'hoshafat king of Y'hudah: "The king of Mo'av has rebelled against me. Will you join me in attacking Mo'av?" He answered, "I will join in the attack - I'm with you all the way; think of my people and horses as yours.

Berean Standard Bible

And he sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go,” replied Jehoshaphat. “I am like you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”

American Standard Version

And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 3:7 records a critical diplomatic exchange between King Jehoram of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Following Moab's rebellion against Israelite suzerainty, Jehoram dispatches an urgent request to his southern counterpart for military aid to suppress the revolt. Jehoshaphat's immediate and unequivocal response, pledging complete solidarity in terms of personnel and resources, sets the stage for a significant joint military campaign against Moab, highlighting the political dynamics and strategic alliances common in the ancient Near East.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in the reign of Jehoram, son of Ahab, King of Israel. The preceding verses (2 Kings 3:1-5) establish Jehoram's character as less idolatrous than his parents but still walking in the sins of Jeroboam, and crucially, introduce the rebellion of King Mesha of Moab, who had previously paid tribute to Israel (2 Kings 3:4-5). Verse 7 initiates the military response to this rebellion, detailing Jehoram's appeal to Jehoshaphat. The narrative immediately following this verse describes the formation of the allied army, their difficult journey through the wilderness of Edom, and their desperate need for water, which ultimately leads to the involvement of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 3:9-11). Thus, this verse is the pivotal moment where the human alliance is forged, setting the stage for the divine intervention that will become central to the story.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the divided monarchy (Israel in the North, Judah in the South) was characterized by shifting alliances, conflicts, and tribute systems. Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, had been subjugated by King David (2 Samuel 8:2) and later paid tribute to Israel, particularly under the Omride dynasty (Ahab and his sons). The death of a powerful suzerain often triggered rebellions among vassal states, as seen with Moab's revolt after Ahab's death. Military alliances between kingdoms were a common strategy for consolidating power, defending borders, or launching offensive campaigns. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was generally depicted as a righteous king who sought the Lord, yet he had a history of problematic alliances with the idolatrous northern kingdom, notably with Ahab (1 Kings 22:1-4) and later with Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 20:35-37). His ready agreement in 2 Kings 3:7 reflects both the political necessity of a united front against a common enemy and his consistent, albeit sometimes misguided, policy of cooperation with Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes emerging from 2 Kings 3:7 include **Alliance and Solidarity**, as Jehoshaphat's immediate and full commitment underscores the importance of a united front in ancient warfare. This verse also highlights the **Political Pragmatism** of the era, where even ideologically divergent kingdoms would form alliances for mutual benefit or survival. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Human Strategy vs. Divine Sovereignty**. While the kings are forming their human alliance, the subsequent narrative will reveal that their success is not guaranteed by their combined might but ultimately depends on divine intervention through Elisha. This foreshadows the broader biblical truth that true victory and deliverance come from God, not solely from human strength or strategic partnerships, a lesson Jehoshaphat had learned before (cf. [2 Chronicles 19:2](/2_chronicles/19-2 "2 Chronicles 19:2 - Jehu's Rebuke of Jehoshaphat")). The Moabite rebellion itself also speaks to the theme of **Tribute and Vassalage**, a common feature of ancient Near Eastern imperial dynamics.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebelled (Hebrew, _mārad'_):** This verb signifies an act of defiance, revolt, or apostasy against a legitimate authority, typically a suzerain or king. In this context, it refers to Moab's cessation of tribute payments and rejection of Israelite overlordship. The term carries strong connotations of breaking a covenant or established order, justifying the suzerain's military response to reassert control.
* **Go up (Hebrew, _ʿālāh'_):** This verb literally means "to ascend" or "to go up." In military contexts, it often refers to going up to battle, invading a territory, or marching to war. Jehoshaphat's concise "I will go up" is a direct and affirmative response, indicating his immediate willingness to join the military expedition.
* **I [am] as thou [art] (Hebrew, _kāmôkā'_):** This is a powerful Hebrew idiom expressing complete identification and solidarity. It literally means "like you" or "as you." When combined with "my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses," it conveys an absolute pledge of resources and identity. It is not merely an agreement to participate but a declaration that the two kingdoms are, for the purpose of this campaign, essentially one entity, sharing a common destiny and committing all available assets.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me:"** This clause establishes the initiator of the alliance (Jehoram, King of Israel, though unnamed in this specific verse, identified in 2 Kings 3:1) and the recipient (Jehoshaphat, King of Judah). The core message is Moab's rebellion, which serves as the casus belli for the upcoming conflict. Jehoram's act of "sending" implies a formal diplomatic embassy, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for a strong alliance.
* **"wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle?"** This is Jehoram's direct appeal for military assistance, framed as a question seeking Jehoshaphat's commitment. It highlights the strategic importance of Judah's involvement, as Israel alone might not have felt strong enough to subdue the rebellious Moabites. The question is a test of the relationship between the two kingdoms and a request for a full military partnership.
* **"And he said, I will go up:"** Jehoshaphat's immediate and concise affirmative response. This phrase signifies his readiness to engage in the military campaign. It is a direct answer to Jehoram's question, indicating an absence of hesitation or negotiation regarding his participation.
* **"I [am] as thou [art], my people as thy people, [and] my horses as thy horses."** This powerful declaration elaborates on Jehoshaphat's commitment, employing a triple parallelism to emphasize total solidarity. "I am as thou art" expresses personal identification and shared purpose. "My people as thy people" pledges the entire military and civilian population of Judah to the cause. "My horses as thy horses" commits all military resources, particularly the crucial cavalry, to the joint effort. Together, these phrases convey an unwavering and comprehensive pledge of support, signifying that Judah's resources are Israel's resources for this endeavor.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Dialogue** to convey the critical exchange between the two kings, making their interaction direct and impactful. Jehoshaphat's response utilizes a powerful **Idiom** in "I [am] as thou [art]," which is then expanded through **Parallelism** ("my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses"). This rhetorical device emphasizes the complete and unwavering nature of his commitment, creating a sense of absolute solidarity and shared destiny. The immediate agreement also serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the joint military campaign that will dominate the subsequent narrative, and subtly hinting at the complex dynamics that will unfold, including the eventual need for divine intervention despite this formidable human alliance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The alliance formed in 2 Kings 3:7 between Jehoram and Jehoshaphat is a poignant illustration of the complexities inherent in human relationships, particularly when spiritual discernment is at stake. While politically pragmatic, Jehoshaphat's consistent willingness to ally with the idolatrous northern kingdom often led to spiritual compromise and divine rebuke, as seen in his prior alliance with Ahab. This narrative underscores the tension between human strategic alliances and the divine call for purity and reliance on God. The subsequent events in 2 Kings 3, where the allied kings must seek the prophet Elisha for divine guidance and miraculous provision, powerfully demonstrate that human strength and strategic alliances, no matter how formidable, are ultimately insufficient without God's sovereign hand. True victory and deliverance are not achieved by human might alone but through divine intervention in response to humble seeking.

* [1 Kings 22:4](/1_kings/22-4 "1 Kings 22:4 - Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahab")
* [2 Chronicles 19:2](/2_chronicles/19-2 "2 Chronicles 19:2 - Jehu's Rebuke of Jehoshaphat")
* [2 Kings 3:11](/2_kings/3-11 "2 Kings 3:11 - Seeking Elisha's Counsel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The immediate and comprehensive commitment of Jehoshaphat in 2 Kings 3:7 offers a profound point of reflection on the nature of solidarity, partnership, and discernment. While his past alliances with Israel had proven problematic, his response here exemplifies a deep level of loyalty and commitment once a decision to join forces has been made. For believers, this prompts us to consider the gravity of our own commitments—whether in marriage, friendship, business, or ministry. When we pledge our resources, time, or identity to a cause or person, is our commitment as unwavering and comprehensive as Jehoshaphat's declaration? More importantly, the broader narrative of 2 Kings 3 reminds us that even the most robust human alliances are ultimately dependent on divine wisdom and power. This calls us to a posture of discernment, continually seeking God's will before entering into partnerships, and to remember that true success flows from His guidance, not merely from our combined human strength or strategic acumen. Our ultimate allegiance must always be to God, and our partnerships should reflect His glory and purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I called to demonstrate unwavering commitment and solidarity, and how well do I embody this?**
* **How do I discern between a pragmatic alliance and one that might compromise my spiritual integrity or allegiance to God?**
* **When facing challenges, do I prioritize human strategy and resources, or do I first seek divine counsel and intervention?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "he" who sent to Jehoshaphat?**

Answer: The "he" refers to King Jehoram of Israel, son of Ahab. While not explicitly named in this specific verse, the preceding verses (2 Kings 3:1-6) clearly establish his identity and the context of Moab's rebellion during his reign. Jehoram had just become king after his brother Ahaziah's death.

**Why did Moab rebel against Israel?**

Answer: Moab rebelled against Israel following the death of King Ahab. According to 2 Kings 3:4, King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder who paid a massive annual tribute to the King of Israel: "an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool." Ahab's death was likely perceived as an opportunity for Moab to assert its independence and throw off the heavy yoke of Israelite suzerainty and tribute, a common occurrence in the ancient Near East when a powerful overlord died.

**Was Jehoshaphat's decision to ally with Jehoram a wise one, given his past experiences?**

Answer: From a purely political and military standpoint, forming an alliance with Israel against a common enemy like Moab was pragmatic and strategically sound for Judah. However, from a theological perspective, Jehoshaphat had a history of problematic alliances with the idolatrous northern kingdom, which had previously led to divine rebuke (e.g., [2 Chronicles 19:2](/2_chronicles/19-2 "2 Chronicles 19:2 - Jehu's Rebuke of Jehoshaphat") after his alliance with Ahab). While Jehoshaphat was generally a righteous king, his consistent willingness to cooperate with Israel, despite their spiritual apostasy, often put him and Judah in compromising positions. The subsequent narrative in [2 Kings 3](/2_kings/3 "2 Kings 3 - The Campaign Against Moab") confirms that the success of this campaign ultimately depended not on the combined military might of the kings, but on the miraculous intervention of God through the prophet Elisha, highlighting the limitations of purely human wisdom and alliances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The human alliance forged in 2 Kings 3:7, where two earthly kings unite their forces against a common enemy, foreshadows and ultimately finds its perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jehoram and Jehoshaphat represent kings whose power and wisdom are limited, Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose authority is absolute and whose victory is certain. Unlike these earthly monarchs who need to pool resources and seek external counsel (as they do from Elisha in [2 Kings 3:11](/2_kings/3-11 "2 Kings 3:11 - Seeking Elisha's Counsel")), Jesus needs no alliance to achieve His purposes. He is the ultimate deliverer, the one who perfectly embodies the solidarity promised by Jehoshaphat: "I am as thou art." Indeed, in the incarnation, Christ truly became "as we are" (Hebrews 2:17), identifying fully with humanity to redeem it. He did not come to form an alliance with sinful humanity to fight an external foe, but rather to fight humanity's greatest enemy—sin and death—by Himself becoming the perfect sacrifice ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His victory on the cross and resurrection conquered the rebellion of sin, establishing a new covenant where believers are united with Him, not as mere allies, but as co-heirs and members of His body ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, the temporary and imperfect alliance of human kings points to the eternal and perfect solidarity Christ offers to those who trust in Him, securing a victory far greater than any earthly campaign.

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 Kings 22:4

And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I [am] as thou [art], my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

2 Chronicles 18:3

And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I [am] as thou [art], and my people as thy people; and [we will be] with thee in the war.

2 Chronicles 22:10

¶ But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

2 Chronicles 22:12

And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

1 Kings 22:32

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it [is] the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

1 Kings 22:33

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it [was] not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

2 Chronicles 19:2

And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore [is] wrath upon thee from before the LORD.