And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah. In 2 Kings 8:25 , it is said to be in the twelfth year of his reign; it was at the close of the eleventh, and the beginning of the twelfth; or he began to reign with his father in the eleventh as here, and in the twelfth as there, when his father was dead. read more
In the eleventh year of Joram - The note in our margin contains as good an account of this chronological difficulty as can be reasonably required: Then he began to reign as viceroy to his father in his sickness; 2 Chronicles 21:18 , 2 Chronicles 21:19 . But in Joram's twelfth year he began to reign alone; 2 Kings 8:26 . read more
THE ANOINTING OF JEHU . His MURDER OF JEHORAM AND AHAZIAH . THE DEATH OF JEZEBEL . read more
The deaths of Jehoram and Jezebel; or, the Divine law of retribution. King Jehoram was lying sick at Jezreel of the wounds he had received in battle from the Syrians. Ahaziah King of Judah had come down to visit him, and, as they conversed together, the watchman upon the city wall brought tidings of an armed company approaching. Jehu, at the head of them, was by-and-by recognized by his furious driving. He had already been proclaimed king in Ramoth-Gilead, but Jehoram knew nothing of this.... read more
Jehu as avenger. No sooner is Jehu proclaimed king than, with characteristic decision, he gives orders that no one be permitted to leave the city to carry news to Jehoram; then, mounting his chariot, he drives off furiously to Jezreel. Whatever Jehu did, he did "with all his might" ( Ecclesiastes 9:10 ). It is this vigorous decision of character which made him so suitable an instrument in executing God's vengeance on the house of Ahab, I. JEHU 'S APPROACH TO JEZREEL . 1. ... read more
Retribution may be long in coming, but it comes at last. Even a heathen could say, "Raro antecedentem scelestum deseruit pede poena claudo" (Horace, 'Od.,' 2 Kings 3:2 , lines 31, 32). Yet throughout all history evil-disposed men have persisted in wicked and cruel conduct, just as if it was not only possible, but probable, that retribution would be escaped. The lesson thus needs continually to be impressed on men, that, sooner or later, retribution must come—that there is no escape from... read more
And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Israel. In 2 Kings 8:25 the accession of Ahaziah is placed in Joram's twelfth, instead of his eleventh, year. The slight discrepancy is sufficiently explained By the double reckoning of a king's "first year," familiar to chronologists, either read more
In the eleventh year - The twelfth according to 2 Kings 8:25. The discrepancy may be best explained from two ways of reckoning the accession of Ahaziah, who is likely to have been regent for his father during at least one year. See 2 Chronicles 21:19. 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