2 Kings 3.
AS we begin this chapter we observe that Jehoram, younger son of Ahab, began to reign over Israel in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, which does not seem to agree with chapter 1, verse 17, where Jehoram is said to have become king in the second year of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat. Our difficulty begins to dissolve when we remember that the children of Israel reckoned periods of time which entered upon two or more days or calendar years, in whole numbers, not as we do.
A clear example of the Jewish reckoning will be found in the Lord’s word in Matthew 12:4040For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40), where He spoke of Himself as to the “three days and three nights” in the grave; the actual elapsed time was one full twenty-four-hour day and parts of two other days, but as parts of three days were included, it was “three days.”
This reckoning will be noticed in connection with other kings of Israel and Judah. It seems clear also, that after Jehoshaphat had reigned about seventeen years (until Ahab’s death), his son Jehoram was made regent, but the father lived six years longer, and both father and son were called king. (See chapter 8, verse 17 also).
The second son of Ahab to sit on the throne, put away the image of Baal that his father had made, but he held to the sins of Jeroboam who caused Israel to sin. He wrought evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father Ahab or his mother Jezebel. Jehoram sent to Jehoshaphat to ask his help in putting down Moab, and now for the third and last time the king of Judah joined himself with these enemies of God, the family of Ahab. He had helped Ahab (1 Kings 22:44And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. (1 Kings 22:4)), and undertaken a partnership with Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 20:3535And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: (2 Chronicles 20:35)), and now made himself one with Jehoram. How wrong!
We notice the difference between Elijah’s ministry and Elisha’s; the nation was rejected when Elijah was taken to glory, and God then ceased to maintain His relationship with the people. Nevertheless He will act in grace when law could only condemn. On the ground of their responsibility, God had judged them, and so Elisha said to the king of Israel,
“What have I to do with thee? Get thee to the prophets of thy father and to the prophets of thy mother ... . Were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.”
Jehoshaphat was something to Elisha, but the prophet is apart from the influence of the whole scene; his ministry is a testimony taking its character from the ascension of Elijah, to the sovereignty of God. Elisha, when the kings are in extremity, announces blessing, —God acts for His own glory amid the ruin of what professed His name.
ML 10/16/1927