2 Kings 3:9-20

GOD’S WORD Translation

⁹ So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom took an indirect route ⌞to Moab⌟. After seven days they ran out of water for the army and the animals. ¹⁰ The king of Israel said, “Oh no! The Lord has put the three of us at the mercy of ⌞the people of⌟ Moab.”

¹¹ But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord whom we could ask?”

One of the officials of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here. He used to be Elijah’s assistant.” ^[a]

¹² Jehoshaphat said, “The Lord’s word is with him.” So King Jehoshaphat of Judah, the king of Israel, and the king of Edom went to Elisha.

¹³ Elisha asked the king of Israel, “Why did you come to me? Go to your father’s prophets or your mother’s prophets.”

The king of Israel answered him, “No. The Lord has called the three of us in order to put us at Moab’s mercy.”

¹⁴ Elisha answered, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord of Armies whom I serve lives, I wouldn’t even bother to look at you or notice you if it weren’t for my respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah. ¹⁵ But get me someone to play some music.”

While the musician was playing, the Lord’s power came over Elisha. ¹⁶ He said, “This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches. ¹⁷ You will not see wind or rain, but this valley will be filled with water. You, your cattle, and your other animals will drink. ¹⁸ The Lord considers that an easy thing to do. In addition, he will put Moab at your mercy. ¹⁹ You will defeat every walled city and every important city. You will cut down every good tree, seal all the wells, and use rocks to ruin every good piece of land.”

²⁰ That is what happened in the morning. At the time of the grain offering, water flowed from Edom and filled the countryside.