What does 2 Kings 3:18 mean?

"And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand." - 2 Kings 3:18

2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."

The verse 2 Kings 3:18 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand." This verse comes from the story of the alliance between the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom against the Moabites in the Old Testament.

To fully understand the meaning and commentary of this verse, it is important to consider the context in which it appears. At this time, the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom were faced with a crisis as they sought to retaliate against the Moabites for rebelling against their tribute and seizing their territory. In their distress, they sought the prophet Elisha for guidance, and it is in this context that Elisha delivers the message in 2 Kings 3:18.

This verse carries several important themes. Firstly, it emphasizes the divine intervention and assistance that the kings can expect from the Lord. The phrase "in the sight of the Lord" signifies that the deliverance is not merely dependent on their own strength or strategies, but on the favor and power of God. This is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of faith and reliance on God's providence in times of trouble.

Furthermore, the verse also conveys the concept of God's sovereignty and omnipotence. The assurance that the deliverance of the Moabites into their hands is a "light thing in the sight of the Lord" underscores the idea that nothing is too difficult or impossible for God. It reflects the understanding that God is in control of all situations and can effortlessly bring about victory, regardless of the apparent challenges or obstacles.

Additionally, the verse carries the underlying theme of obedience and trust in God's word. The kings are urged to believe and act according to the promise of deliverance, demonstrating their faith in God's ability to fulfill his word. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that obedience and trust in God's promises are essential components of experiencing His divine favor and blessing.

In terms of symbolism, the verse holds significant symbolism in the representation of the Moabites as adversaries. Throughout the Bible, the Moabites are depicted as adversaries of God's people, often symbolizing the forces of opposition, rebellion, and enmity against God. The deliverance of the Moabites into the hands of the kings therefore also carries a symbolic significance of God's ultimate triumph over the forces of evil and opposition, demonstrating His authority and sovereignty over all nations and peoples.

In conclusion, 2 Kings 3:18 carries a profound message of divine intervention, sovereignty, and faith. It serves as a reminder of the unwavering power and providence of God, and the importance of trusting in His promises and seeking His guidance in times of difficulty. The verse also conveys the broader biblical themes of obedience, trust, and the ultimate victory of God over the forces of opposition. As such, it continues to offer timeless wisdom and encouragement for believers facing challenges and adversity in their own lives.

2 Kings 3:18 Artwork

2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."

2 Kings 18:3 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did."

2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

2 Kings 1:18 - "Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"

2 Kings 3:6 - "¶ And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel."

2 Kings 3:16 - "And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches."

1 Kings 2:18 - "And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."

2 Kings 8:18 - "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."

1 Kings 18:3 - "And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:"

1 Kings 18:2 - "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria."

2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."

2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."

2 Kings 3:10 - "And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"

2 Kings 3:23 - "And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil."

2 Kings 18:18 - "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder."

2 Kings 18:33 - "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"

2 Kings 3:5 - "But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel."

2 Kings 4:18 - "¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers."

2 Thessalonians 3:18 - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

2 Kings 18:5 - "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him."

2 Kings 25:18 - "¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:"

2 Kings 3:8 - "And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom."

2 Kings 16:18 - "And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria."

2 Kings 2:18 - "And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?"

1 Kings 3:18 - "And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house."

2 Kings 3:3 - "Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom."

Kings 3:16

2 Kings 18:8 - "He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city."

Kings 3:16