2 Kings 3:4

Sheepmaster. At this time Moab was situated directly east of the lower Jordan and the Dead Sea. The region was fruitful and well watered, and was, in the main, a great grazing country. Even today it is noted for its flocks and its herds. The king of Moab in those ancient times may be compared with a modern Arab sheik, whose wealth is estimated by the size of his flocks and the number of his cattle.

Rendered unto the king of Israel. This OT record of Moab’s servitude to Israel in the days of Mesha is corroborated by the Moabite Stone (see Vol. I, pp. 120, 121). That record tells of the oppression of Moab for many years by Omri and Ahab and of Mesha’s successful revolt. For a translation of the inscription that appears on the Moabite Stone, see Additional Note at close of chapter.

The payment of tribute in kind was customary in the East at this time. The Assyrians often received tribute in cattle, horses, sheep, and other commodities. Jehoshaphat received as tribute from the Arabians “seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats” (2 Chron. 17:11).