John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah , etc.] The way of the wilderness of Edom, proposed by the latter: and the king of Edom ; whom they took with them in their way, who was not properly a king, but a viceroy or deputy, (see 1 Kings 22:47) and they fetched a compass of seven days journey ; they went round the Dead Sea, and through the wilderness of Edom, and so to the borders of Moab: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them ; neither for the soldiers in the army, nor the cattle that drew the carriages, being in a wilderness.
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 וילך1980 מלך4428 ישׂראל3478 ומלך4428 יהודה3063 ומלך4428 אדום123 ויסבו5437 דרך1870 שׁבעת7651 ימים3117 ולא3808 היה1961 מים4325 למחנה4264 ולבהמה929 אשׁר834 ברגליהם׃7272
