מלכים ב, פרק ג׳, פסוק י׳

Trapped in a desolate wilderness without water, the military alliance faces an imminent and devastating defeat. The king of Israel suddenly realizes that their dire situation is not merely a random strategic error. Instead, he recognizes it as a deliberate decree from God, designed to bring about their ruin. He cries out in deep mourning and lamentation, grasping the full weight of their impending doom.

He understands that God specifically brought these three kings together for a reason. Had the king of Israel gone into battle alone, he could have defeated Moab. However, God orchestrated their alliance. It was only because the king of Judah joined the campaign that they chose an indirect, misguided route through the wilderness of Edom. God placed this foolish advice into their hearts specifically to lead them toward destruction [מלבי״ם].

The primary approach among commentators is that their anticipated defeat at the hands of Moab is a direct result of their severe thirst. The extreme lack of water will weaken the soldiers to the brink of death, entirely stripping them of the strength needed to fight. Furthermore, this desperate shortage will force the armies to scatter in every direction as they frantically search for anything to drink. This panicked dispersion will leave the military alliance completely fragmented and exposed. When Moab finally strikes, the scattered and exhausted soldiers will have no way to escape [רד״ק].