So Jehu rode in a chariot ,.... In great pomp and majesty as a king: and went to Jezreel : set forward on a march thither with his captains, and part of his army at least, from Ramothgilead; which, according to Bunting F14 Travels, &c.; p. 166. , was twenty four miles: for Jordan lay there ; to be cured of his wounds, as before observed: and Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram ; see 2 Kings 8:29 . read more
And there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel ,.... Who could see afar off when an enemy was coming, and his business was to give notice of it; and especially he was now on his watch tower, because the king was there, and this was necessary for his safety: and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company ; a troop of soldiers, though he did not know who they were, and to whom they belonged, whether they were Syrians or Israelites; which was reported to the... read more
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, thus saith the king, is it peace ?.... Are things well in the army, or any disturbance in the kingdom? are you come as friends or enemies? and Jehu said, what hast thou to do with peace ? or to ask such a question: turn thee behind me ; which he was obliged to do, Jehu having such a company of soldiers with him; and this he did, that he might carry no tidings to Joram, that he might not know as yet who he and his company were: ... read more
Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said ,.... The same as the first messenger did, and had the same answer, and was bid to do the same as in the preceding verse. read more
And the watchman told, saying, he came even unto them, and cometh not again ,.... Was detained, as the other was: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi ; for, coming nearer, the watchman could discern the manner of his driving: for he driveth furiously ; in great haste, making much speed, being a man of a very warm and active spirit; and now being eager to come up with Joram, and seize him unprepared, and ascend the throne; the Targum is the reverse, "for he... read more
And Joram said, make ready ,.... The chariot, put to the horses; bind them, as the word signifies, to the chariot: and his chariot was made ready ; by his servants immediately: and Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot ; not both in the same chariot, but each in his own, for the sake of greater magnificence: and they went out against Jehu ; not in an hostile manner, for they had no notion of him as an enemy; though it is much they had no... read more
And it came to pass, when Joram saw, Jehu, that he said, is it peace, Jehu ?.... Have things gone well at Ramothgilead? art thou come in triumph from thence? or obliged to fly from the Syrians? or art thou come in a peaceable, or in an hostile manner to me? and he answered, what peace ; canst thou expect at home or abroad, from me or others: so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many ? which may be understood both literally of corporeal whoredom,... read more
And Joram turned his hand, and fled ,.... Taking hold of the horses' reins with it to turn them, or by the motion of it directing the charioteer to turn them back towards Jezreel, whither he fled: and said to Ahaziah, there is treachery, O Ahaziah ; a conspiracy formed, and rebellion raised by the captains, at the head of which he supposed Jehu was. read more
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength ,.... To give the arrow all the force he could: and smote Jehoram between his arms ; that is, between his shoulders, his back being turned to him, and the chariot an open one: and the arrow went out at his heart : quite through him: and he sunk down in his chariot ; and died immediately. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 9:16-29
From Ramoth-Gilead to Jezreel was more than one day's march; about the mid-way between them the river Jordan must be crossed. We may suppose Jehu to have marched with all possible expedition, and to have taken the utmost precaution to prevent the tidings from getting to Jezreel before him; and, at length, we have him within sight first, and then within reach, of the devoted king. I. Joram's watchman discovers him first at a distance, him and his retinue, and gives notice to the king of the... read more