2nd Kings Chapter 3 verse 9 Holy Bible

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 9. - So the King of Israel went - as leader of the expedition, he is placed first - and the King of Judah - the second in importance, therefore placed second - and the King of Edom - the third in importance, therefore placed last. It is to be remarked that, when Edom was last mentioned, she was ruled by a "deputy," who received his appointment from the King of Judah (1 Kings 22:47). Now, apparently, she has her own native "king." The change is, perhaps, to be connected with the temporary revolt of Edom hinted at in 2 Chronicles 20:22. And they fetched a compass of seven days' journey. The distance from Jerusalem, where the forces of Israel and Judah probably united, to the southern borders of Moab by way of Hebron, Malatha, and Thamara, which is the best-watered route, and would probably be the route taken, does not much exceed a hundred miles; but its difficulties are great, and it is quite probable that the march of an army along it would not average more than fifteen miles a day. And there was no water for the host. The confederate army had reached the border of Moab, where they had probably expected to find water in the Wady-el-Ahsy, which is reckoned a perennial stream (Robinson, 'Researches,' vol. it. p. 488); but it was dry at the time. All the streams of these parts fail occasionally, when there has been no rain for a long time. And for the cattle that followed them; rather, .for the beasts that followed them (see the Revised Version). The baggage-animals are intended (see ver. 17).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) The king of Edom.--A vassal king appointed by Jehoshaphat (1Kings 22:48).They fetched a compass.--Went round (scil., the Dead Sea) a journey of seven days. The confederates appear to have lost their way among the mountains of Seir. They would, in any case, be greatly delayed by the cattle which it was necessary to take with them for subsistence. It is evident from the context that the distress began after the Edomite contingent had joined.For the host, and for the cattle that followed them.--The stopping is wrong. It should be, and there was not water for the army and for the cattle which followed them. "Them," i.e., the kings. (Comp. Judges 5:15.) "The cattle," i.e., the herds and flocks for the maintenance of the army.The allies appear to have marched through the deep, rocky glen of El-Ahsy (or El-Qurahy), between Moab and Edom. They expected to find water there, as is usually the case, even in the dry season; but on this occasion the water failed.