16 and he saith, 'Thus said Jehovah, Make this valley ditches—ditches; 17 for thus said Jehovah, Ye do not see wind, nor do ye see rain, and that valley is full of water, and ye have drunk—ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. 18 'And this hath been light in the eyes of Jehovah, and he hath given Moab into your hand, 19 and ye have smitten every fenced city, and every choice city, and every good tree ye cause to fall, and all fountains of waters ye stop, and every good portion ye mar with stones.'
20 And it cometh to pass in the morning, at the ascending of the 'morning'-present, that lo, waters are coming in from the way of Edom, and the land is filled with the waters, 21 and all Moab have heard that the kings have come up to fight against them, and they are called together, from every one girding on a girdle and upward, and they stand by the border. 22 And they rise early in the morning, and the sun hath shone on the waters, and the Moabites see, from over-against, the waters red as blood, 23 and say, 'Blood this 'is'; the kings have been surely destroyed, and they smite each his neighbour; and now for spoil, Moab!' 24 And they come in unto the camp of Israel, and the Israelites rise, and smite the Moabites, and they flee from their face; and they enter into Moab, so as to smite Moab, 25 and the cities they break down, and 'on' every good portion they cast each his stone, and have filled it, and every fountain of water they stop, and every good tree they cause to fall—till one had left its stones in Kir-Haraseth, and the slingers go round and smite 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.