Friday in Season after Pentecost

6Verse 6. When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. 7Verse 7. On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. 8Verse 8. The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. 9Verse 9. When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. 10Verse 10. And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11Verse 11. “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. 12Verse 12. Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

4Verse 4. Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. 5Verse 5. But after the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. 6Verse 6. So at that time King Jehoram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel. 7Verse 7. And he sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go,” replied Jehoshaphat. “I am as you are, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.” 8Verse 8. Then he asked, “Which way shall we go up?” “By way of the Desert of Edom,” replied Joram. 9Verse 9. So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals. 10Verse 10. “Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” 11Verse 11. But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. ” 12Verse 12. Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. 13Verse 13. Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 14Verse 14. Then Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or acknowledge you. 15Verse 15. But now, bring me a harpist. ” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha 16Verse 16. and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ 17Verse 17. For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink— you and your cattle and your animals.’ 18Verse 18. This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. 19Verse 19. And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.” 20Verse 20. The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land.