6 And King Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel . 7 Then he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat the 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; I am as you are, my people as your people , my horses as your horses ." 8 He said , "Which e way shall we go up?" And he answered , "The way of the wilderness of Edom ." 9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom ; and they made a circuit of seven days' journey , and there was no water for the army or for the cattle that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said , "Alas ! For the Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab ." 11 But Jehoshaphat said , " Is there not a prophet of the Lord here , that we may inquire of the Lord by him?" And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said , " Elisha the son of Shaphat is here , who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah ." 12 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 Now Elisha said to the king of Israel , "What do I have to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother ." And the king of Israel said to him, "No , for the Lord has called these three kings together to give them into the hand of Moab ." 14 Elisha said , " As the Lord of hosts lives , before whom I stand , were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah , I would not look at you nor see you. 15 "But now bring me a minstrel ." And it came about, when the minstrel played , that the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 He said , "Thus says the Lord , 'Make this valley full of trenches .' 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 shall drink , both you and your cattle and your beasts . 18 'This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord ; He will also give the Moabites into your hand . 19 ' Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city , and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water , and mar every good piece of land with stones .' "

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 .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:6-24

Commentary on 2 Kings 3:6-19

(Read 2 Kings 3:6-19)

The king of Israel laments their distress, and the danger they were in. He called these kings together, yet he charges it upon Providence. Thus the foolishness of man perverteth his way, and then his heart fretteth against the Lord, Psalm 84:6. We need not inquire whence the water came. God is not tied to second causes. They that sincerely seek for the dew of God's grace, shall have it, and by it be made more than conquerors.

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.