Question 1

Who is King Jehoram in this passage and what kind of king is he?

Accepted Answer

Jehoram is the son of Ahab and king of the northern kingdom of Israel. The passage says he did evil in the Lord’s sight, but not as badly as his parents, because he removed the image of Baal his father had set up. Still, he held on to the earlier sins of Israel, especially the false worship started by Jeroboam. So he is a mixed figure: he makes some outward changes, but his heart does not fully turn to God. His life shows how half-hearted obedience still counts as disobedience before God.

Question 2

Why did the king of Moab rebel after Ahab died?

Accepted Answer

Mesha, the king of Moab, had been paying a heavy tribute to Israel, sending huge numbers of lambs and rams with their wool every year. After Ahab died, he saw a chance to break free from Israel’s control and stopped paying this tribute. This rebellion hurt Israel’s wealth and power, so Jehoram gathered his army and asked Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom to join him in going to war. The conflict is as much about pride and control as it is about money and land.

Question 3

Why did Jehoshaphat ask for a prophet of the Lord during the campaign?

Accepted Answer

When the three kings marched through the wilderness of Edom, they ran out of water for the soldiers and animals. Jehoram panicked and said the Lord had brought them out to be destroyed. Jehoshaphat responded differently. He asked if there was a prophet of the Lord they could ask for guidance. This shows his heart to seek God in trouble instead of only relying on plans and armies. It reminds readers that when plans fall apart, the wise response is to look for God’s word, not just complain or blame.

Question 4

What does the command to make the valley full of ditches mean?

Accepted Answer

Through Elisha, God told the kings to make the valley full of ditches, even though there was no sign of rain. The people were to dig channels and holes in the dry ground. God promised they would not see wind or rain, yet the valley would be filled with water for them and their animals. The digging showed trust in God’s promise before any water appeared. It teaches that God can provide in ways we do not expect, and that faith often means acting on His word before we see the results.

Question 5

How did God provide water without wind or rain in this story?

Accepted Answer

The passage says that in the morning, at the time of the grain offering, water suddenly came by the way of Edom and filled the land. There is no mention of storm clouds or rain where the armies were. God simply sent water into the ditches they had dug. To the Moabites, the early sunlight made the water look red like blood, which led them to think the kings had fought each other. So in one act, God both refreshed His people and used the water to trick their enemies.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God’s character and mercy?

Accepted Answer

This story shows that God is patient and kind, even when leaders are flawed. Jehoram is not fully faithful, yet God still helps because of the presence of a godly king, Jehoshaphat, and the word given through Elisha. God calls out sin, as seen in Elisha’s sharp words to Jehoram, but He also shows mercy by giving water and victory. The line that this is a light thing in the Lord’s sight reminds us that nothing is too hard for Him. He rules over nations and battles and hears those who seek Him.

Question 7

Why did Elisha say he would not help if it were not for Jehoshaphat?

Accepted Answer

When the kings came to Elisha, he rebuked Jehoram and told him to go to the prophets of his parents’ idols. Elisha said that if it were not for Jehoshaphat, he would not even look at Jehoram. This shows that God’s prophet did not treat sin lightly and did not feel bound to support an unfaithful king. Yet God honored the faith of Jehoshaphat, a king who did seek the Lord. It hints that the prayers and lives of godly people can bring blessing even to those around them who are not walking well with God.

Question 8

Why did the king of Moab sacrifice his eldest son on the wall?

Accepted Answer

When the battle went badly and he could not break through to the king of Edom, the king of Moab took his oldest son, the heir to the throne, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. The passage does not explain all his motives, but it shows his deep despair and the dark, desperate worship of his gods. After this, there was great indignation against Israel, and the Israelites pulled back. This final act leaves a heavy, sobering end to the story and shows how far people can go when they are hardened and hopeless.

Question 9

How can this story about Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, and Elisha apply to life today?

Accepted Answer

This passage speaks to the danger of partial obedience. Jehoram made some changes but held on to other sins, and that pattern still shows up in people who want God’s help without fully turning from idols in their hearts. It also encourages seeking God’s guidance before and during trouble, like Jehoshaphat did, instead of trusting only in plans or strength. The command to dig ditches before seeing water calls readers to act on God’s word even when results are not visible yet, trusting that He can provide in His own way and time.

2 Kings 3:1

Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

Moab’s Rebellion

Moab’s Rebellion

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2 Kings 3:1

Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

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Moab’s Rebellion

Moab’s Rebellion

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