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2 Kings 3:13-17 We three kings are very thirsty Day 295

Good morning friends,

We are familiar with the Christmas carol, "We three kings"  Here we have a different group of three kings who find themselves out of water in a wilderness.  These guys are not following a star or looking for a savior.  They are out doing what seems right in their own eyes.

Blessings,

Jeff

Observations

You would think the Jehoshaphat would have learned his lesson.  He made an alliance with Ahab that almost got him killed.  Ahab disguised himself so the Syrians thought Jehoshaphat was the king of Israel and initially went after him.  But now here is in alliance with Ahab's second son, Jehoram, which means "Jehovah is exalted".

Consulting a prophet of the Lord regarding battle plans is a last resort.  Jehoram decided to march through the wilderness of Edom to put down the revolt of the king of Moab.  After a "circuitous seven days march" they find themselves out of water.  Maybe that is why it is called "the wilderness of Edom"  Jehoram concludes that it is the Lord who has called the three kings to give them into the and of the king of Moab.  Blaming God for the consequences of folly is part of fallen human nature.

Only in extremis does Jehoshaphat ask about inquiring of a prophet.

Not only is "a prophet" in the area, but "the prophet."

Elisha had taken over from Elijah. Isn't it just like God to use man's free will to drag him to the place where God provides.  If Jehoram had thought of seeking guidance in the first place, he would have to go to the very place he eventually wound up at. 

The "felt need" of the three kings is lack of water.  God graciously uses the answer to this "felt need" to provide a great victory over Moabites.  A kind of divine "two for the price of one". 

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