Иорам – царь Израиля

Иорам[a], сын Ахава, стал царем Израиля на восемнадцатом году правления Иосафата, царя Иудеи, и правил в Самарии двенадцать лет. Он делал зло в глазах Господа, но не так, как его отец и мать, потому что убрал священный камень Баала, который сделал его отец[b]. И все же он держался грехов Иеровоама, сына Навата, к которым тот склонил Израиль[c]. Он не отступал от них.

Поражение Моава

Меша, царь Моава, разводил овец и должен был поставлять царю Израиля сто тысяч ягнят и шерсть со ста тысяч баранов. Но после смерти Ахава царь Моава восстал против израильского царя. Тогда царь Иорам вышел из Самарии и собрал все израильское войско. Еще он послал сказать Иосафату, царю Иудеи:

– Царь Моава восстал против меня. Ты пойдешь со мной воевать против Моава?

– Пойду, – ответил он. – Как ты, так и я, мой народ – твой народ, мои кони – твои кони.

Потом он спросил:

– Какой дорогой мы выступим?

Иорам ответил:

– Через пустыню Эдома.

Царь Израиля отправился в путь с царем Иудеи и царем Эдома. После семи дней кружной дороги у войска не осталось воды ни для себя, ни для животных, которые были с ними.

10 – Горе! – воскликнул царь Израиля. – Господь созвал нас, трех царей, чтобы отдать в руки Моава!

11 Но Иосафат спросил:

– Неужели здесь нет пророка Господа, чтобы спросить через него Господа?

Один из приближенных царя Израиля ответил:

– Здесь есть Елисей, сын Шафата. Он поливал воду на руки Илии[d].

12 Иосафат сказал:

– С ним слово Господне.

Тогда царь Израиля, Иосафат и царь Эдома пошли к нему.

13 Елисей сказал царю Израиля:

– Что у нас с тобой общего? Ступай к пророкам твоего отца и твоей матери.

– Нет, – ответил царь Израиля, – ведь это Господь созвал нас, трех царей, чтобы отдать в руки Моава.

14 Елисей сказал:

– Верно, как и то, что жив Господь Сил[e], Которому я служу – если бы я не уважал Иосафата, царя Иудеи, то я и не взглянул бы на тебя и даже не заметил. 15 А теперь приведите мне арфиста.

И когда арфист играл, на Елисея сошла сила Господа, 16 и он сказал:

– Так говорит Господь: «Копайте рвы по всей этой долине». 17 Потому что так говорит Господь: «Вы не увидите ни ветра, ни дождя, но эта долина наполнится водой, и вы, ваш скот и другие ваши животные будете пить». 18 Сделать это для Господа легко, Он отдаст в ваши руки и Моав. 19 Вы захватите все укрепленные и большие города. Вы срубите хорошие деревья, завалите источники и забросаете камнями хорошие поля.

20 На следующее утро, в то время, когда приносят жертву, со стороны Эдома потекла вода! И земля наполнилась водой. 21 А моавитяне уже прослышали, что цари идут на них войной, и всех мужчин, и молодых, и старых, собрали и поставили на границе. 22 Когда рано утром они поднялись, солнце светило на воду, и вода показалась моавитянам красной, как кровь.

23 – Это кровь! – сказали они. – Должно быть, цари сражались и перебили друг друга. Что ж, на добычу, Моав!

24 Но когда моавитяне пришли к израильскому лагерю, израильтяне поднялись и стали разить их, и те побежали. Войдя в Моав, они продолжали разить их. 25 Они разрушили города, и каждый воин бросал по камню на всякое хорошее поле, пока оно не было завалено. Они завалили источники и срубили хорошие деревья. Лишь в Кир-Харесете оставались каменные стены, пока пращники не окружили его и не напали на него.

26 Когда царь Моава увидел, что проигрывает сражение, он взял с собой семьсот человек, владеющих мечом, чтобы прорваться к царю Эдома, но не смог. 27 Тогда он взял первенца, который должен был стать царем вместо него, и принес его в жертву на городской стене. Это вызвало большое негодование против израильтян[f]. Они отступили и вернулись в свою землю.

Footnotes

  1. 3:1 Евр.: «Иегорам», вариант имени Иорам.
  2. 3:2 См. 3 Цар. 16:32-33.
  3. 3:3 См. 3 Цар. 12:25-33.
  4. 3:11 То есть был слугой Илии.
  5. 3:14 Евр.: «ЙГВГ Цеваот». Также в других местах книги.
  6. 3:27 Смысл этого места в еврейском тексте неясен.

Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

And he wrought evil in the sight of the Lord; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.

Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.

And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

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

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.

And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.

So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.

10 And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the Lord hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!

11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which 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 unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the Lord hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

14 And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.

15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.

16 And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches.

17 For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

18 And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

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.

20 And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.

21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.

22 And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:

23 And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.

24 And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.

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.

26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.

27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.

Moab Revolts

Joram[a](A) son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. He did evil(B) in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father(C) and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone(D) of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he clung to the sins(E) of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

Now Mesha king of Moab(F) raised sheep, and he had to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs(G) and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled(H) against the king of Israel. So at that time King Joram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel. He also sent this message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight(I) against Moab?”

“I will go with you,” he replied. “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

“By what route shall we attack?” he asked.

“Through the Desert of Edom,” he answered.

So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom.(J) 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(K) of the Lord?”

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

12 Jehoshaphat said, “The word(N) 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.”(O)

While the harpist was playing, the hand(P) 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,(Q) and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18 This is an easy(R) 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(S) for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water.(T)

21 Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come to fight against them; so every man, young and old, who could bear arms was called up and stationed on the border. 22 When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water. To the Moabites across the way, the water looked red—like blood. 23 “That’s blood!” they said. “Those kings must have fought and slaughtered each other. Now to the plunder, Moab!”

24 But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and fought them until they fled. And the Israelites invaded the land and slaughtered the Moabites. 25 They destroyed the towns, and each man threw a stone on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up all the springs and cut down every good tree. Only Kir Hareseth(U) was left with its stones in place, but men armed with slings surrounded it and attacked it.

26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle had gone against him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed. 27 Then he took his firstborn(V) son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. The fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 3:1 Hebrew Jehoram, a variant of Joram; also in verse 6
  2. 2 Kings 3:11 That is, he was Elijah’s personal servant.

Moab Rebels Against Israel

Now (A)Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel at Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father and mother; for he put away the sacred pillar of Baal (B)that his father had made. Nevertheless he persisted in (C)the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin; he did not depart from them.

Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepbreeder, and he (D)regularly paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand (E)lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams. But it happened, when (F)Ahab died, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

So King Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel. Then he went and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?”

And he said, “I will go up; (G)I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” Then he said, “Which way shall we go up?”

And he answered, “By way of the Wilderness of Edom.”

So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched on that roundabout route seven days; and there was no water for the army, nor for the animals that followed them. 10 And the king of Israel said, “Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

11 But (H)Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?”

So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who (I)poured[a] 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 (J)went down to him.

13 Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, (K)“What have I to do with you? (L)Go to (M)the prophets of your father and the (N)prophets of your mother.”

But the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

14 And Elisha said, (O)As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you. 15 But now bring me (P)a musician.”

Then it happened, when the musician (Q)played, that (R)the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord: (S)‘Make this valley full of [b]ditches.’ 17 For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 18 And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. 19 Also you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall cut down every good tree, and stop up every spring of water, and ruin every good piece of land with stones.”

20 Now it happened in the morning, when (T)the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.

21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to bear arms and older were [c]gathered; and they stood at the border. 22 Then they rose up early in the morning, and the sun was shining on the water; and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood. 23 And they said, “This is blood; the kings have surely struck swords and have killed one another; now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!”

24 So when they came to the camp of Israel, Israel rose up and attacked the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they entered their land, killing the Moabites. 25 Then they destroyed the cities, and each man threw a stone on every good piece of land and filled it; and they stopped up all the springs of water and cut down all the good trees. But they left the stones of (U)Kir Haraseth intact. However the slingers surrounded and attacked it.

26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him seven hundred men who drew swords, to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not. 27 Then (V)he took his eldest son who would have reigned in his place, and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall; and there was great [d]indignation against Israel. (W)So they departed from him and returned to their own land.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 3:11 Was the personal servant of
  2. 2 Kings 3:16 water canals
  3. 2 Kings 3:21 summoned
  4. 2 Kings 3:27 wrath