John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And he said, which way shall we go up etc.] That is, Jehoram said so to Jehoshaphat, consulting with him which was the best way to take to the land of Moab, whether the shortest way, over Jordan; or some other: and he answered, the way through the wilderness of Edom ; which bordered upon it, and the same through which the Israelites passed; for Kadesh was on the extreme border of Edom, whither they came, ( Numbers 20:1,16) and this Jehoshaphat proposed, partly that they might come upon Moab unawares, and attack them where they were weakest, and not on their guard; and partly, to take the king of Edom with them, who was no other than Jehoshaphat’s deputy, and so be assisting to them, and prevent him from revolting, which otherwise he might take this opportunity of doing.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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. Thu the foolishness of man perverteth his way, and then his heart frettet against the Lord, Pr 19:3. It was well that Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord now, but it had been much better if he had done it before he engaged in this war. Good men sometimes neglect their duty, til necessity and affliction drive them to it. Wicked people often fare the better for the friendship and society of the godly. To try their fait and obedience, Elisha bids them make the valley full of pits to receiv water. Those who expect God's blessings, must dig pools for the rain to fill, as in the valley of Baca, and thus make even that a well, P 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.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 אי335 זה2088 הדרך1870 נעלה5927 ויאמר559 דרך1870 מדבר4057 אדום׃123
