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8. Which way? Joram seems to be the questioner. There were two ways in which the kings might proceed for the attack on Moab. One was to cross the Jordan and attack Moab from the north. This would be the more direct approach. But Moab’s strongest defenses were on her northern border, which was the most open to enemy attack. Also, if the attack were to be from the north, the allies would lay themselves open to attack from the Syrians at their rear. Another approach would be from the south, around the southern tip of the Dead Sea, through the land of Edom. This would be a longer and more difficult route, but they would strike Moab at a point where she would be more vulnerable to attack, and they would have Edom, which was then associated with Judah (v. 9), as an ally rather than a possible enemy.

Through the wilderness. Apparently it was Jehoshaphat who gave the answer to Joram’s question. The way suggested led down through Judea to the southern extremity of the Dead Sea, where they would go through the dry, desert regions of Edom.