2 kings 3:12 - Jehoshaphat said, “Yahweh’s word is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
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What does "2 kings 3:12" mean?
This verse, 2 Kings 3:12, is packed with meaning and context, and understanding it requires knowing the story around it. Here's a breakdown:
Context: The verse is part of the narrative where the kings of Israel (Jehoram), Judah (Jehoshaphat), and Edom (a vassal kingdom under Judah) have united to put down a rebellion by Moab. They're marching through the desert and are running out of water. They are desperate for a solution.
"Jehoshaphat said, 'Yahweh's word is with him.'" This is the key to understanding the verse.
Jehoshaphat: He was a king of Judah known for his piety and seeking guidance from God (Yahweh).
"Yahweh's word is with him": This refers to the prophet Elisha. Jehoshaphat recognized Elisha as a genuine prophet of the God of Israel, the God he himself worshipped. To Jehoshaphat, Elisha was a conduit for divine communication. Jehoshaphat believed that if anyone could help them in their predicament, it would be someone with a direct line to God. Jehoshaphat is asserting that Elisha speaks for God and therefore his advice should be followed.
"So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him."
Why this is significant: This shows the desperation of the kings. The King of Israel was not pious. He was a descendant of Ahab and Jezebel and did not follow Yahweh, so would not normally consult a prophet of Yahweh. However, he's willing to set aside his usual religious preferences to seek help, driven by the desperate situation. Jehoshaphat's suggestion swayed him. The king of Edom, being subservient to the other two kings, follows along.
"Went down to him": This likely indicates a physical movement, perhaps a lowering of status, or a descent in elevation. They are approaching Elisha with humility and a need for his help.
In summary, the verse means:
Jehoshaphat, recognizing Elisha as a true prophet who receives messages from God (Yahweh), suggested that they consult him. The other kings, desperate for a solution to their water shortage, agreed to go to Elisha for guidance, despite the King of Israel's usual rejection of Yahweh. They humbled themselves before him, hoping for divine intervention.
Key takeaways:
The verse highlights Jehoshaphat's faith and his reliance on God's guidance.
It emphasizes the importance of prophets in Israelite society as channels of divine communication.
It shows the desperation of the situation that led even the ungodly king of Israel to seek help from a prophet of Yahweh.
It sets the stage for the encounter with Elisha and the subsequent events in the narrative, where God's power will be displayed.
2 kings 3:12 - Jehoshaphat said, “Yahweh’s word is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
What does "2 kings 3:12" mean?
This verse, 2 Kings 3:12, is packed with meaning and context, and understanding it requires knowing the story around it. Here's a breakdown:
Context: The verse is part of the narrative where the kings of Israel (Jehoram), Judah (Jehoshaphat), and Edom (a vassal kingdom under Judah) have united to put down a rebellion by Moab. They're marching through the desert and are running out of water. They are desperate for a solution.
"Jehoshaphat said, 'Yahweh's word is with him.'" This is the key to understanding the verse.
Jehoshaphat: He was a king of Judah known for his piety and seeking guidance from God (Yahweh).
"Yahweh's word is with him": This refers to the prophet Elisha. Jehoshaphat recognized Elisha as a genuine prophet of the God of Israel, the God he himself worshipped. To Jehoshaphat, Elisha was a conduit for divine communication. Jehoshaphat believed that if anyone could help them in their predicament, it would be someone with a direct line to God. Jehoshaphat is asserting that Elisha speaks for God and therefore his advice should be followed.
"So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him."
Why this is significant: This shows the desperation of the kings. The King of Israel was not pious. He was a descendant of Ahab and Jezebel and did not follow Yahweh, so would not normally consult a prophet of Yahweh. However, he's willing to set aside his usual religious preferences to seek help, driven by the desperate situation. Jehoshaphat's suggestion swayed him. The king of Edom, being subservient to the other two kings, follows along.
"Went down to him": This likely indicates a physical movement, perhaps a lowering of status, or a descent in elevation. They are approaching Elisha with humility and a need for his help.
In summary, the verse means:
Jehoshaphat, recognizing Elisha as a true prophet who receives messages from God (Yahweh), suggested that they consult him. The other kings, desperate for a solution to their water shortage, agreed to go to Elisha for guidance, despite the King of Israel's usual rejection of Yahweh. They humbled themselves before him, hoping for divine intervention.
Key takeaways:
The verse highlights Jehoshaphat's faith and his reliance on God's guidance.
It emphasizes the importance of prophets in Israelite society as channels of divine communication.
It shows the desperation of the situation that led even the ungodly king of Israel to seek help from a prophet of Yahweh.
It sets the stage for the encounter with Elisha and the subsequent events in the narrative, where God's power will be displayed.