2 Kings 3:6
So at that time King Jehoram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel.
So at that time
This phrase sets the historical context, indicating a specific period in the narrative of Israel's monarchy. The Hebrew word for "time" here is "עֵת" (et), which often signifies a significant or appointed time. This suggests that the events unfolding are part of God's sovereign timeline, reminding us that God orchestrates history according to His divine plan.

King Jehoram
Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, was the king of Israel. His reign is marked by a departure from the extreme idolatry of his parents, yet he did not fully return to the worship of Yahweh. The name "Jehoram" means "Yahweh is exalted," which is ironic given his partial adherence to the faith of his ancestors. This highlights the tension between his royal identity and his spiritual shortcomings, serving as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's life with one's professed beliefs.

set out from Samaria
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by King Omri, Jehoram's grandfather. The city was a center of political power and, unfortunately, idolatrous worship. Jehoram's departure from Samaria symbolizes a movement from a place of spiritual compromise, suggesting a potential for change or action. It invites reflection on the need to leave behind spiritual complacency and seek God's guidance in our endeavors.

mobilized all Israel
The phrase "mobilized all Israel" indicates a call to arms, uniting the tribes for a common purpose. The Hebrew root "קָבַץ" (qavats) means to gather or assemble, often used in military contexts. This action reflects the king's authority and the urgency of the situation. Spiritually, it underscores the power of unity among God's people when faced with challenges, reminding believers of the strength found in communal faith and purpose.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Jehoram
The son of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehoram was the king of Israel. His reign was marked by a departure from the extreme idolatry of his parents, though he still did evil in the sight of the Lord by clinging to the sins of Jeroboam.

2. Samaria
The capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It was a significant political and military center during Jehoram's reign.

3. Mobilization of Israel
This event marks the beginning of a military campaign against Moab, which had rebelled against Israelite control after the death of Ahab.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Legacy
Jehoram's leadership was influenced by his heritage. Reflect on how our spiritual and familial legacies impact our decisions and leadership today.

Partial Obedience
Jehoram removed some idolatry but continued in the sins of Jeroboam. Partial obedience is still disobedience. Consider areas in life where we might be compromising our faith.

Unity and Alliances
Jehoram sought alliances with Judah and Edom. In our spiritual battles, we should seek unity with fellow believers, understanding the strength found in godly alliances.

Preparation for Battle
Mobilizing Israel was a strategic move. Spiritually, we must be prepared for battles by putting on the full armor of God and being vigilant in prayer.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehoram's decision to mobilize Israel reflect his leadership style, and what can we learn about the importance of decisive action in our own lives?

2. In what ways do the sins of Jeroboam continue to affect Jehoram's reign, and how can we identify and break free from generational sins in our own families?

3. How does the alliance between Israel, Judah, and Edom illustrate the importance of unity among believers, and what steps can we take to foster unity in our church communities?

4. Reflect on a time when you faced a spiritual battle. How did preparation and reliance on God help you through it, and what can you do to be better prepared for future challenges?

5. Considering Jehoram's partial obedience, what areas of your life might need a more complete surrender to God's will, and how can you take steps toward full obedience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 3:1-3
Provides context about Jehoram's reign and his partial departure from his parents' idolatry, setting the stage for his actions in verse 6.

1 Kings 12:25-33
Details the sins of Jeroboam, which Jehoram continued, highlighting the persistent spiritual issues in Israel.

2 Kings 3:7-27
Describes the subsequent events of the campaign against Moab, including the alliance with Judah and Edom and the miraculous provision of water.
Forgetting God, and its ResultsC.H. Irwwin 2 Kings 3:4-12
The Alliance of the Three KingsJ. Orr 2 Kings 3:6-8
Worldly Rulers - Men in Trial Seeking Help from a Godly ManD. Thomas 2 Kings 3:6-12
People
Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, Shaphat
Places
Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, Samaria
Topics
Fighting, Got, Inspected, Inspecteth, Jehoram, Jeho'ram, Marched, Mobilized, Mustered, Numbered, Order, Samaria, Sama'ria
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 3:4-7

     7233   Israel, northern kingdom

Library
Sight and Blindness
'Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that them pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881

The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer, Briefly Considered.
"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with, thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?--He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" As mankind are
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Secret of Its Greatness
[Illustration: (drop cap G) The Great Pyramid] God always chooses the right kind of people to do His work. Not only so, He always gives to those whom He chooses just the sort of life which will best prepare them for the work He will one day call them to do. That is why God put it into the heart of Pharaoh's daughter to bring up Moses as her own son in the Egyptian palace. The most important part of Moses' training was that his heart should be right with God, and therefore he was allowed to remain
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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