Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 3
When the king of Israel ordered the men to join his army, God directed Elisha to go with them. That army joined with the armies of Judah and Edom to fight against Moab. God had special work for Elisha; however, the kings were unaware that he was there.
In the desert, the armies ran out of water. This was a truly desperate situation. So, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, proposed to the other kings that they should find a prophet, a holy man of God. The prophet would tell them what they should do.
One of the officials knew that Elisha was there. He did not say that Elisha was a prophet. He could only say that Elisha had been the servant of the prophet Elijah. Perhaps, therefore, Elisha might know how to inquire of God, the official thought. The official seemed not to know about the powerful way that God was working through Elisha (2:13-24).
However, Jehoshaphat, who served the true God, seemed to know much more about Elisha. Clearly, Jehoshaphat had listened with great interest to the reports about God’s work in Elisha’s life. Jehoshaphat told the other kings that God was speaking and working powerfully through Elisha.
Usually, a king would order someone whom they wanted to see, to come to them (1 Kings 22:7-9). However, the kings realised that they must show great respect to Elisha as the prophet of God. They were depending completely upon his prayers. So, together, the three kings went to visit him in the camp of their armies.
Next part: Elisha deals firmly with Joram (2 Kings 3:13)
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