20 It happened in the morning about the time of offering the sacrifice , that behold , water came by the way of Edom , and the country was filled with water . 21 Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and stood on the border . 22 They rose early in the morning , and the sun shone on the water , and the Moabites saw the water opposite e them as red as blood . 23 Then they said , "This is blood ; the kings have surely fought together , and they have slain one another . Now therefore, Moab , to the spoil !" 24 But when they came to the camp of Israel , the Israelites arose and struck the Moabites , so that they fled before e them; and they went forward into the land, slaughtering the Moabites . 25 Thus they destroyed the cities ; and each one threw a stone on every piece of good land and filled it. So they stopped all the springs of water and felled all the good trees , until in Kir-hareseth only they left its stones ; however, the slingers went about it and struck it. 26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him 700 e men who drew swords , to break through to the king of Edom ; but they could not. 27 Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place , and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall . And there came great wrath against Israel , and they departed from him and returned to their own land .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:20-27
Commentary on 2 Kings 3:20-27
(Read 2 Kings 3:20-27)
It is a blessing to be favoured with the company of those who have power with God, and can prevail by their prayers. A kingdom may be upheld and prosper, in consequence of the fervent prayers of those who are dear to God. May we place our highest regard upon such as are most precious in his account. When sinners are saying Peace, peace, destruction comes upon them: despair will follow their mad presumption. In Satan's service and at his suggestion, such horrid deeds have been done, as cause the natural feelings of the heart to shudder; like the king of Moab's sacrificing his son. It is well not to urge the worst of men to extremities; we should rather leave them to the judgment of God.