Overview
Mesha was the king of Moab during the reign of Israel's kings. He is primarily known from the account of his rebellion against King Ahab's successor and from the archaeological discovery of the Moabite Stone, which records his perspective on these historical events. Mesha also appears in genealogical records as a descendant of Caleb.
Key Scriptures
"Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he had to pay the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams" (2 Kings 3:4, ESV). "But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel" (2 Kings 3:5, ESV). Mesha is also listed among Caleb's descendants: "The sons of Madmannah were Sham and Jotham. And the sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph" (1 Chronicles 2:42, ESV).
Application
Mesha's rebellion illustrates how earthly kingdoms rise and fall according to God's sovereign plan, reminding us to trust in His eternal kingdom rather than temporal powers.