1 Joram son of Ahab became king of Israel in Jehoshaphat's eighteenth year as king of Judah. Joram ruled twelve years from Samaria
2 and disobeyed the Lord by doing wrong. He tore down the stone image his father had made to honour Baal, and so he wasn't as sinful as his parents.
3 But he kept doing the sinful things that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to do.
4 For many years the country of Moab had been controlled by Israel and was forced to pay taxes to the kings of Israel. King Mesha of Moab raised sheep, so he paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool from one hundred thousand rams.
5 But soon after the death of Ahab, Mesha rebelled against Israel.
6 One day, Joram left Samaria and called together Israel's army.
7 He sent this message to King Jehoshaphat of Judah, “The king of Moab has rebelled. Will you go with me to attack him?”“Yes, I will,” Jehoshaphat answered. “I'm on your side, and my soldiers and horses are at your command.