2 Kings

2 Kings 3: The LORD sends water and victory

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the dry valley and the three kings, let us come to the Lord together. Ask Him to quench our thirst with His grace, and to show us Jesus, the living water.

God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You can bring water into a dry land and give victory to Your people. Make us thirsty for Jesus, the living water, and help us come to Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Three kings march together against Moab, which had rebelled after the death of Ahab. After seven days in the wilderness of Edom, the army has no water for its men or animals. Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet of the LORD. Elisha says he would not look at the king of Israel, except for Jehoshaphat's sake. While a musician plays, the LORD's hand comes on Elisha, and he tells the kings to dig trenches in the valley. In the morning, water comes from the way of Edom, and the land is filled with it. Moab's army rushes in, but Israel drives them back, and Mesha offers his oldest son on the wall, so Israel returns home.

As you read 2 Kings 3, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sent water to a dry army and gave victory, as He had said through Elisha.

Mesha, king of Moab, had paid Israel with wool, but he rebelled after Ahab died (verses 4 and 5). Jehoram of Israel joined Judah and Edom against Moab, and the army marched seven days without water (verses 7 to 9). Jehoram said that the LORD had called the three kings together to give them into Moab's hand (verse 10). Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet of the LORD, and they went down to Elisha (verses 11 and 12). Elisha would not look at Jehoram, and he spoke only out of respect for Jehoshaphat (verse 14). While a musician played, the LORD's hand came on Elisha, and he told them to dig trenches (verses 15 and 16). The valley would fill with no wind or rain, which was “an easy thing in Yahweh’s sight” (verses 17 and 18). In the morning water came from Edom, and Israel struck Moab as Elisha had said (verses 20 to 25). This shows that the LORD supplies what His people cannot, and that His word comes true.

How does 2 Kings 3 show us that the LORD sent water to a dry army and gave victory, as He had said through Elisha?

The LORD fills the dry valley with water.

The army had marched seven days with no water for the men or the animals (verses 9 and 10). Elisha told them to dig trenches, and the LORD promised water without wind or rain (verses 16 and 17). In the morning water came from the way of Edom, and the land was full of it (verse 20). Jesus said that the water He gives becomes a spring of eternal life in the one who drinks (John 4 verse 14).

The LORD gives victory, as Elisha said.

The Moabites saw the water red in the sun and thought the kings had destroyed each other (verses 22 and 23). They rushed to the camp of Israel, but the Israelites struck them, and Moab fled before them (verse 24). The LORD had promised to deliver the Moabites into their hand (verse 18), and Israel struck them (verse 24).

The LORD's word comes true after a hard end.

Elisha had said the LORD would give Moab into their hand (verse 18), and Israel struck the cities of Moab (verse 25). Mesha offered his oldest son on the wall (verse 27). Parents, you may want to explain this verse in your own words. There was great wrath against Israel, and the army went home.

Memorise

You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water.

2 Kings 3:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when I am thirsty, will I come to Jesus?

The three kings stood in a dry valley with no water, and in the morning the LORD filled it. Jesus called out to anyone who is thirsty to come to Him and drink (John 7 verse 37).

People thirst for God, and their sin keeps them from Him. No army, king or sacrifice can pay for it. Jesus died on the cross and paid the whole debt of His people's sin. God raised Him from the dead on the third day, and He gives living water to all who come.

So come to Him and drink. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Everyone who repents and trusts Him receives forgiveness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gave water and victory, as He had promised, and that Jesus is the living water. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, you may want to explain verse 27 in your own words. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He sends water and victory as He has promised, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for he who has mercy on them will lead them. He will guide them by springs of water.

Isaiah 49:10

Father, thank You that You can bring water to a dry land and give victory as You promised. Thank You for Jesus, the living water, who went to the cross for His people. Help each child turn away from sin and trust Him. Help us to come to Jesus with thirsty hearts this week. Amen.