Mesha
“Deliverance”
Summary
King of Moab who revolted against Israel after Ahab's death, known from both Scripture and his famous inscription.
☩Tribute to Israel
Mesha 'was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool' (2 Kings 3:4). This enormous tribute indicates both Moab's wealth in livestock and their subjugation to Israel's kings.
☩Revolt Against Israel
After Ahab's death, 'the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel' (2 Kings 3:5). When Jehoram of Israel, allied with Jehoshaphat of Judah and the king of Edom, attacked Moab, they were initially successful. But when Mesha offered his eldest son as a burnt offering on the wall, 'there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed' (2 Kings 3:27).
☩The Moabite Stone
The Mesha Stele, discovered in 1868 at Dibon, provides Mesha's own account of his reign and rebellion. The inscription confirms biblical details while offering the Moabite perspective. It mentions 'Omri king of Israel,' the oppression of Moab, Mesha's victories, and his building projects. It also contains the earliest extra-biblical reference to Yahweh.