So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.
So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out together. They marched in a roundabout way for seven days, but there was no water for their army or for the animals traveling with them.
The writer is describing how three kings joined forces for a military campaign, but after a week-long march through difficult terrain, they ran out of water for their troops and animals.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the reign of King Jehoram of Israel (around 850 BC) when he allied with King Jehoshaphat of Judah and the king of Edom to attack the rebellious Moabites. They chose a southern route through the wilderness of Edom, which was longer but strategically advantageous, though it proved to be waterless desert terrain.
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