1. Joram son of Ahab became king over Israel at Samaria. He began to rule in Jehoshaphat’s eighteenth year as king of Judah. Joram ruled 12 years.
2. Joram did what the Lord said was wrong. But he was not like his father and mother. He removed the stone pillars his father had made for Baal.
3. But he continued to do the same sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had done. Jeroboam had caused the people of Israel to sin. And Joram did not stop doing these same sins.
4. Mesha king of Moab raised sheep. He had to give 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 male sheep to the king of Israel.
5. But when Ahab died, the king of Moab turned against the king of Israel.
6. So King Joram went out from Samaria and gathered all Israel.
7. He sent messengers to Jehoshaphat king of Judah. He said, “The king of Moab has turned against me. Will you go with me against Moab in battle?”Jehoshaphat said, “I will go with you. I am ready to join you. My soldiers and my horses are ready to join with your army.”
8. Jehoshaphat asked, “Which way should we go to attack?”Joram answered, “Through the Desert of Edom.”
9. So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. They marched seven days. There was no more water for the army or for their animals that were with them.
10. The king of Israel said, “How terrible this is! Has the Lord called us three kings together so the Moabites can defeat us?”
11. But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there a prophet of the Lord here? We can ask the Lord through a prophet.”An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He was Elijah’s servant.”
12. Jehoshaphat said, “He speaks the Lord’s truth.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to see Elisha.
13. Elisha spoke to the king of Israel. He said, “I have nothing to do with you! Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother!”The king of Israel said to Elisha, “No. The Lord has called us three kings together to let the Moabites defeat us.”