16 He said , "Thus says the Lord , 'Make this valley full of trenches .' 17 "For thus says the Lord , 'You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain ; yet that valley shall be filled with water , so that you shall drink , both you and your cattle and your beasts . 18 'This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord ; He will also give the Moabites into your hand . 19 ' Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city , and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water , and mar every good piece of land with stones .' "
20 It happened in the morning about the time of offering the sacrifice , that behold , water came by the way of Edom , and the country was filled with water . 21 Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and stood on the border . 22 They rose early in the morning , and the sun shone on the water , and the Moabites saw the water opposite e them as red as blood . 23 Then they said , "This is blood ; the kings have surely fought together , and they have slain one another . Now therefore, Moab , to the spoil !" 24 But when they came to the camp of Israel , the Israelites arose and struck the Moabites , so that they fled before e them; and they went forward into the land, slaughtering the Moabites . 25 Thus they destroyed the cities ; and each one threw a stone on every piece of good land and filled it. So they stopped all the springs of water and felled all the good trees , until in Kir-hareseth only they left its stones ; however, the slingers went about it and struck it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:16-25
Commentary on 2 Kings 3:6-19
(Read 2 Kings 3:6-19)
The king of Israel laments their distress, and the danger they were in. He called these kings together, yet he charges it upon Providence. Thus the foolishness of man perverteth his way, and then his heart fretteth against the Lord, Psalm 84:6. We need not inquire whence the water came. God is not tied to second causes. They that sincerely seek for the dew of God's grace, shall have it, and by it be made more than conquerors.
Commentary on 2 Kings 3:20-27
(Read 2 Kings 3:20-27)
It is a blessing to be favoured with the company of those who have power with God, and can prevail by their prayers. A kingdom may be upheld and prosper, in consequence of the fervent prayers of those who are dear to God. May we place our highest regard upon such as are most precious in his account. When sinners are saying Peace, peace, destruction comes upon them: despair will follow their mad presumption. In Satan's service and at his suggestion, such horrid deeds have been done, as cause the natural feelings of the heart to shudder; like the king of Moab's sacrificing his son. It is well not to urge the worst of men to extremities; we should rather leave them to the judgment of God.