So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom.(A) After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them.

10 “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the Lord called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?”

11 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire(B) of the Lord?”

An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha(C) son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.[a](D)

12 Jehoshaphat said, “The word(E) of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

13 Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Why do you want to involve me? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”

“No,” the king of Israel answered, “because it was the Lord who called us three kings together to deliver us into the hands of Moab.”

14 Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. 15 But now bring me a harpist.”(F)

While the harpist was playing, the hand(G) of the Lord came on Elisha 16 and he said, “This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. 17 For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water,(H) and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18 This is an easy(I) thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. 19 You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones.”

20 The next morning, about the time(J) for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 3:11 That is, he was Elijah’s personal servant.

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.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:11 Or “He used to pour water on Elijah’s hands.”

So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and (A)the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! (B)The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 11 (C)And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, (D)“Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, (E)who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” 12 And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

13 And Elisha said to the king of Israel, (F)“What have I to do with you? Go to (G)the prophets of your father and to (H)the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No; it is (I)the Lord who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 14 And Elisha said, (J)“As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. 15 But now (K)bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, (L)the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ 17 For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’ 18 This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also give the Moabites into your hand, 19 and you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree and stop up all springs of water (M)and ruin every good piece of land with stones.” 20 The next morning, about the time of (N)offering the sacrifice, behold, water came from the direction of Edom, till the country was filled with water.

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