Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 3
One of the most difficult problems in ancient battles was to arrange a supply of food and water for the soldiers. Even armies today must make careful plans to avoid this problem.
The problem becomes especially severe when there is a great number of soldiers. Here, three nations – Judah, Israel and Edom – had gathered all the men who could fight into their armies. They had sent them into the desert region south of the Dead Sea, to fight Moab’s army. After they had marched for 7 days, they had no water.
It probably should not have taken 7 days to reach Moab. By that route, it is about 60 miles (100 kilometres) from Jerusalem to the border of Moab. A strong soldier would not consider it difficult to walk that distance in, perhaps, 3 days.
So, clearly, the armies remained in the desert for a long time. The passage says that they were going round in the desert. Perhaps they were trying to find the best place for their battle against Moab’s army. However, they were quickly running out of water.
Joram, the king of northern and central Israel, was an evil man – but Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah was a good man. Joram’s reaction to this situation was complete despair. He said that God was handing over the kings, with their armies, to the enemy. However, Jehoshaphat wanted to pray. He asked for a prophet, a holy man, who would inquire of God on their behalf. Jehoshaphat wanted to know what God wanted them to do in this situation.
Next part: Three kings go to see Elisha (2 Kings 3:11-12)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.
© 2025, Keith Simons.