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2 Kings Chapter Nine

 

2 Kings 9 Outline of Contents

Jehu Anointed King of Israel (v.1~13)

Joram of Israel Killed (v.14~26)

Ahaziah of Judah Killed (v.27~29)

Jezebel’s Violent Death (v.30~37)

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 9

In this chapter we are told that one of the sons of the prophets was sent by Elisha to anoint Jehu king of Israel and to order him to smite and destroy the whole house of Ahab 2 Kings 9:1 which being done unto him and the order received by Jehu he acquainted his captains with it 2 Kings 9:11 who set out with him immediately to Jezreel 2 Kings 9:16 where he slew Joram king of Israel 2 Kings 9:22 and Ahaziah king of Judah 2 Kings 9:27 and Jezebel the widow of Ahab and mother of Joram 2 Kings 9:30.

 

2 Kings 9:1  And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him “Get yourself ready take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth Gilead.

   YLT  1And Elisha the prophet hath called to one of the sons of the prophets and saith to him `Gird up thy loins and take this vial of oil in thy hand and go to Ramoth-Gilead

And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets .... Who the Jews generally sayF11Seder Olam Rabba c. 18. p. 47. was Jonah the son of Amittai:

and said gird up thy loins; his loose and long garments about his loins for quicker dispatch in travelling:

and take this box of oil in thine hand; for an use after directed to:

and go to Ramothgilead; where Joram had left his army with his captains to keep the city from the Syrians.

 

2 Kings 9:2  2 Now when you arrive at that place look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi and go in and make him rise up from among his associates and take him to an inner room.

   YLT  2and thou hast gone in there and see thou there Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi and thou hast gone in and caused him to rise out of the midst of his brethren and brought him in to the inner part of an inner-chamber

And when thou comest thither .... To Ramothgilead; but from whence he went is uncertain doubtless where there was a school of the prophets perhaps that which was erected near Jordan on the other side of which lay Ramothgilead 2 Kings 6:1

look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi; the same that Elijah was ordered to anoint but it was deferred till now a reprieve being granted to Ahab upon his humiliation 1 Kings 19:16

and go in and make him arise up from among his brethren; the captains of the army:

and carry him into an inner chamber; a chamber within a chamber as in the original; this he was to do for secrecy that it might not be seen what he did to Jehu; and lest he should be prevented doing it by the captains or be exposed to danger for doing it; since that might be deemed treason to do what he was to do and did as follows.

 

2 Kings 9:3  3 Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say ‘Thus says the Lord: “I have anointed you king over Israel.”’ Then open the door and flee and do not delay.”

   YLT  3and taken the vial of oil and poured on his head and said Thus said Jehovah I have anointed thee for king unto Israel; and thou hast opened the door and fled and dost not wait.'

Then take the box of oil and pour it on his head .... When in the chamber together alone:

and say thus saith the Lord I have anointed thee king over Israel; which was done not with the anointing oil in the temple which could not be come by; and with which as Kimchi from their Rabbins says only the kings of the house of David were anointed and they only when there was a division or the crown was translated to another family as was the case now; but with common oil or the oil of balsam such as the prophet had in his house:

then open the door and flee and tarry not; lest he should be examined by the captains and come into danger; though before he went out he was to say what is recorded in 2 Kings 9:7.

 

2 Kings 9:4  4 So the young man the servant of the prophet went to Ramoth Gilead.

   YLT  4And the young man goeth -- the young man the prophet -- to Ramoth-Gilead

So the young man even the young man the prophet went to Ramothgilead. It is repeated that it might be observed that it was a young man that went who was more fit for this service than Elisha partly because of his age and partly because he would be less known; as also his age is remarked this being a bold and daring action in a young man to anoint a new king as well as it was honourable; and moreover he was not only one of the sons of the prophets but was a prophet himself though young and still a more fit person for such a service; though the Targum is a young man a disciple of the prophets.

 

2 Kings 9:5  5 And when he arrived there were the captains of the army sitting; and he said “I have a message for you Commander.” Jehu said “For which one of us?” And he said “For you Commander.”

   YLT  5and cometh in and lo chiefs of the force are sitting and he saith `I have a word unto thee O chief!' and Jehu saith `Unto which of all of us?' and he saith `Unto thee O chief.'

And when he came behold the captains of the host were sitting .... Either at a table being at dinner or at a council of war:

and he said I have an errand unto thee O captain; looking and directing his speech to Jehu; or "I have a word to thee"F12דבר לי אליך "verbum mihi ad te" Pagninus Montanus Vatablus. ; something to say to thee intimating that he desired to speak to him alone:

and Jehu said unto which of all us? not perhaps at first thoroughly understanding who he meant; or however was willing to have it repeated and explained that it might be manifest to the whole company that he was intended:

and he said to thee O captain; and to him only.

 

2 Kings 9:6  6 Then he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head and said to him “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord over Israel.

   YLT  6And he riseth and cometh in to the house and he poureth the oil on his head and saith to him `Thus said Jehovah God of Israel I have anointed thee for king unto the people of Jehovah unto Israel

And he arose and went into the house .... Into the inner chamber in it:

and he poured the oil on his head and said unto him thus saith the Lord God of Israel I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord even over Israel; for though they were fallen into idolatry and from the pure worship of God yet the Lord had still a right unto them and as yet he had not wrote a "Loammi" Hosea 1:9 upon them; and there were many among them which had not bowed the knee to Baal.

 

2 Kings 9:7  7 You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the Lord at the hand of Jezebel.

   YLT  7and thou hast smitten the house of Ahab thy lord and I have required the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah from the hand of Jezebel;

And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master .... For Jehu was one of Ahab's captains as he was now one of his son's as appears from 2 Kings 9:25 but this was to be no objection with him to the destroying of his house as being an act of high treason since he had an order for it from the King of kings and Lord of lords; which otherwise would have seemed unlawful and criminal and what follows will sufficiently vindicate the justice of God in it:

that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the Lord at the hand of Jezebel; who killed the prophets of the Lord and caused to be put to death Naboth the servant of the Lord and now their blood was to be avenged on her and her son Joram and all her family.

 

2 Kings 9:8  8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab all the males in Israel both bond and free.

   YLT  8and perished hath all the house of Ahab and I have cut off to Ahab those sitting on the wall and restrained and left in Israel

For the whole house of Ahab shall perish .... Be cut off by death and that in a violent manner not one should escape:

and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall and him that is shut up and left in Israel; of these phrases; see Gill on 1 Kings 14:10 1 Kings 21:21

 

2 Kings 9:9  9 So I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.

   YLT  9and I have given up the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and as the house of Baasha son of Ahijah

And I will make the house of Ahab The same is threatened; see Gill on 1 Kings 21:22.

 

2 Kings 9:10  10 The dogs shall eat Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel and there shall be none to bury her.’” And he opened the door and fled.

   YLT  10and Jezebel do the dogs eat in the portion of Jezreel and there is none burying;' and he openeth the door and fleeth.

And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel .... Or in the field of Jezreel; the Targum is the inheritance of Jezreel; this is also threatened 1 Kings 21:23.

and there shall be none to bury her; or nothing of her to bury as Kimchi all being eaten up but her skull feet and the palms of her hands see 2 Kings 9:35.

and he opened the door and fled; that is the young man of the sons of the prophets as soon as he had said the above words as he was ordered lest he should be taken up for a traitor.

 

2 Kings 9:11  11 Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master and one said to him “Is all well? Why did this madman come to you?” And he said to them “You know the man and his babble.”

   YLT  11And Jehu hath gone out unto the servants of his lord and [one] saith to him `Is there peace? wherefore came this madman unto thee?' and he saith unto them `Ye have known the man and his talk.'

Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord .... The rest of the captains of the army who served under Joram as he did:

and one said unto him is all well? one of the captains the greatest of them as Kimchi; he inquired whether he brought any ill news since he came and went in such haste:

wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? so profane men especially the worshippers of Baal as those captains might be were wont to call the prophets of the Lord because of their habit their manner of living and the gestures they sometimes used in prophesying and especially because of the things they prophesied of; and even prophets were sometimes called so because in the time of their prophesying they appeared as madmenF13David de Pomis Lexic. p. 204. 3. and in a frenzy:

and he said unto them ye know the man and his communication; you saw by his habit of what profession he is and you may easily guess what he talked of as such men usually do about religion and one whimsical thing or another reproving men for their sins and telling them what they ought to do; and such like things you may well imagine he has been talking of to me; you rightly call him a mad fellow and you may well suppose his discourse was agreeably to his character and not worth relating and hearing; this he said to put them off inquiring any further.

 

2 Kings 9:12  12 And they said “A lie! Tell us now.” So he said “Thus and thus he spoke to me saying ‘Thus says the Lord: “I have anointed you king over Israel.”’”

   YLT  12And they say `False declare we pray thee to us;' and he saith `Thus and thus spake he unto me saying Thus said Jehovah I have anointed thee for king unto Israel.'

And they said it is false tell us now .... They did not believe he spoke truth but concealed from them the real matter; which they concluded to be of some importance by the hastiness of the messenger the privacy between them the countenance of Jehu which discovered thoughtfulness and concern and the trifling answer he sought to put them off with; all which increased their curiosity and made them urgent and importunate to know the truth of the matter: and he said:

thus and thus spake he to me; such and such words as above: and particularly

saying thus saith the Lord I have anointed thee king over Israel; and no doubt told them that he poured oil on his head and anointed him and he might show them the oil.

 

2 Kings 9:13  13 Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets saying “Jehu is king!”

   YLT  13And they haste and take each his garment and put [it] under him at the top of the stairs and blow with a trumpet and say `Reigned hath Jehu!'

Then they hasted and took every man his garment and put it under him on the top of the stairs .... That is under Jehu that he might be raised higher and put on an eminence above them agreeably to the high rank and dignity he was raised unto and which they hereby acknowledged; and that he might be conspicuous to others: and this was done upon the top of the stairs the first and highest of them which led up either to an upper room or to a scaffold erected for this purpose; the Targum is on the degree of hours a sun dial a stone on which were engraven the twelve hours of the day and which by the sun's shadow on it it might be known what hour it was; and at or upon this stone they laid their clothes for Jehu to sit upon; not their wearing apparel but carpets or pieces of tapestry or such like things:

and blew with trumpets saying Jehu is king; and they might come the more easily into such an acknowledgment of him as such though he was anointed by one whom they had just called a mad fellow; being not so well affected to Ahab's family and having a great respect for Jehu the chief commander of the army and especially being under a particular influence of the divine Providence which moved them to take such a step.

 

2 Kings 9:14  14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had been defending Ramoth Gilead he and all Israel against Hazael king of Syria.

   YLT  14And Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi conspireth against Joram -- (and Joram was keeping in Ramoth-Gilead he and all Israel from the presence of Hazael king of Aram

So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram .... He and the captains with him entered into a confederacy to depose Joram and set him up as king:

now Joram had kept Ramothgilead he and all Israel because of Hazael king of Syria; having taken it he left his army in it under the command of his captains of which Jehu was the chief to keep it from the king of Syria; which gave Jehu a fairer opportunity having the army at his command and at a distance from Joram of forming a conspiracy against him.

 

2 Kings 9:15  15 But King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which the Syrians had inflicted on him when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said “If you are so minded let no one leave or escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.”

   YLT  15and king Joram turneth back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds with which the Aramaeans smite him in his fighting with Hazael king of Aram) -- and Jehu saith `If it is your mind let not an escaped one go out from the city to go to declare [it] in Jezreel.'

But King Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel .... As is recorded 2 Kings 8:29 and here repeated for the reason above given:

and Jehu said if it be your minds; to engage one and all and heartily in this conspiracy and to make me king:

then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel; that so Joram might be surprised unawares and have no opportunity either of fleeing or of preparing for his defence.

 

2 Kings 9:16  16 So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel for Joram was laid up there; and Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram.

   YLT  16And Jehu rideth and goeth to Jezreel for Joram is lying there and Ahaziah king of Judah hath gone down to see Joram.

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 BuntingF14Travels &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.

 

2 Kings 9:17  17 Now a watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said “I see a company of men.” And Joram said “Get a horseman and send him to meet them and let him say ‘Is it peace?’”

   YLT  17And the watchman is standing on the tower in Jezreel and seeth the company of Jehu in his coming and saith `A company I see;' and Joram saith `Take a rider and send to meet them and let him say Is there peace?'

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 king:

and Joram said take an horseman and send to meet them and let him say is it peace? he might fear some ill had befallen his army at Ramothgilead and the Syrians had got the advantage of them; or they had made an irruption into his country and were coming to attack him at Jezreel; or there was an insurrection among his own people.

 

2 Kings 9:18  18 So the horseman went to meet him and said “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu said “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.” So the watchman reported saying “The messenger went to them but is not coming back.”

   YLT  18and the rider on the horse goeth to meet him and saith `Thus said the king Is there peace?' and Jehu saith `What -- to thee and to peace? turn round behind me.' And the watchman declareth saying `The messenger came unto them and he hath not returned.'

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:

and the watchman told saying the messenger came to them but he cometh not again; of this he sent word to the king what he had observed.

 

2 Kings 9:19  19 Then he sent out a second horseman who came to them and said “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu answered “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.”

   YLT  19And he sendeth a second rider on a horse and he cometh in unto them and saith `Thus said the king Is there peace?' and Jehu saith `What -- to thee and to peace? turn round behind me.'

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.

 

2 Kings 9:20  20 So the watchman reported saying “He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi for he drives furiously!”

   YLT  20And the watchman declareth saying `He came unto them and he hath not returned and the driving [is] like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi for with madness he driveth.'

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 driveth quietly or slowly 'being desirous of drawing Joram out of the city and get him into his hands and slay him that he might not have the trouble of besieging the place which was able to hold out some time against him; and besides he remembered the prophecy of Elisha that Naboth's blood would be requited in the field of Jezreel 2 Kings 9:26 and therefore was desirous of drawing him out of the city in order to slay him there.

 

2 Kings 9:21  21 Then Joram said “Make ready.” And his chariot was made ready. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out each in his chariot; and they went out to meet Jehu and met him on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite.

   YLT  21And Jehoram saith `Harness;' and his chariot is harnessed and Jehoram king of Israel goeth out and Ahaziah king of Judah each in his chariot and they go out to meet Jehu and find him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.

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 suspicion of him by his detaining the messengers; but Joram perhaps thought he was desirous of delivering his message himself; and in honour to him and also being eager to know what it was went out to meet him:

and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite; which had been his and where or near it he was stoned and his blood shed; a very inauspicious place to meet him in.

 

2 Kings 9:22  22 Now it happened when Joram saw Jehu that he said “Is it peace Jehu?” So he answered “What peace as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”

   YLT  22And it cometh to pass at Jehoram's seeing Jehu that he saith `Is there peace Jehu?' and he saith `What [is] the peace while the whoredoms of Jezebel thy mother and her witchcrafts are many?'

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 and diabolical arts she was addicted to and figuratively of idolatry often called whoredom in Scripture and of the wicked arts and methods she made use of to inveigle and entice persons into it; and both these very often went together; see Nahum 3:4 and of which Joram was guilty at least in part; he connived at all in her and did not attempt to restrain her and therefore had no claim to peace protection and safety.

 

2 Kings 9:23  23 Then Joram turned around and fled and said to Ahaziah “Treachery Ahaziah!”

   YLT  23And Jehoram turneth his hands and fleeth and saith unto Ahaziah `Deceit O Ahaziah!'

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.

 

2 Kings 9:24  24 Now Jehu drew his bow with full strength and shot Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow came out at his heart and he sank down in his chariot.

   YLT  24And Jehu hath filled his hand with a bow and smiteth Jehoram between his arms and the arrow goeth out from his heart and he boweth down in his chariot.

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.

 

2 Kings 9:25  25 Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain “Pick him up and throw him into the tract of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember when you and I were riding together behind Ahab his father that the Lord laid this burden upon him:

   YLT  25And [Jehu] saith unto Bidkar his captain `Lift up cast him into the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite -- for remember I and thou were riding together after Ahab his father and Jehovah lifted upon him this burden:

Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain .... Not Joram's but Jehu's captain though he had been the former's and his father Ahab's also:

take up and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; near to which they were:

for remember how that when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father; either in the same chariot or on horseback side by side his guards or retinue following him two and two:

the Lord laid this burden upon him; this heavy denunciation of vengeance by Elijah the prophet; and they being together and pretty near heard it as he might remember which follows.

 

2 Kings 9:26  26 ‘Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons ’ says the Lord ‘and I will repay you in this plot ’ says the Lord. Now therefore take and throw him on the plot of ground according to the word of the Lord.”

   YLT  26Have I not the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons seen yesternight -- the affirmation of Jehovah -- yea I have recompensed to thee in this portion -- the affirmation of Jehovah; -- and now lift up cast him into the portion according to the word of Jehovah.'

Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth .... These are the words of the Lord to Elijah the day after Naboth was put to death:

and the blood of his sons said the Lord; who were put to death with him that there might be no heirs to the estate:

and I will requite thee in this place: take vengeance here as he now did on his son:

now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground according to the word of the Lord; whereby it would be fulfilled see 1 Kings 21:19 more is here recited than there which Jehu well remembered.

 

2 Kings 9:27  27 But when Ahaziah king of Judah saw this he fled by the road to Beth Haggan.[a] So Jehu pursued him and said “Shoot him also in the chariot.” And they shot him at the Ascent of Gur which is by Ibleam. Then he fled to Megiddo and died there.

   YLT  27And Ahaziah king of Judah hath seen and fleeth the way of the garden-house and Jehu pursueth after him and saith `Smite him -- also him -- in the chariot ' in the going up to Gur that [is] Ibleam and he fleeth to Megiddo and dieth there

But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this .... That Joram was slain:

he fled by the way of the garden house which perhaps stood upon the spot where Naboth's vineyard was turned into a garden by Ahab:

and Jehu followed after him; as far as Samaria where he was hid 2 Chronicles 22:9

and said smite him also in the chariot; this order he gave to his soldiers to do to him as he had done to Joram: and they did so:

at the going up to Gur which is by Ibleam; a city in the tribe of Manasseh Joshua 17:11

and he fled to Megiddo; after he was wounded; another city in the same tribe Joshua 17:11

and died there; at Megiddo; though some think that from thence he was had by his servants to Samaria and there hid and being found was brought from thence to Jezreel where he was slain and died. Jehu was ordered to destroy the whole house of Ahab and Ahaziah was of that house by his mother's side and walked in the way of it and was in conjunction with it and perished therewith; this though here recorded was after the death of Jezebel and of the seventy sons of Ahab and of the brethren of Ahaziah.

 

2 Kings 9:28  28 And his servants carried him in the chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the City of David.

   YLT  28and his servants carry him in a chariot to Jerusalem and bury him in his burying-place with his fathers in the city of David.

And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem .... With the leave of Jehu because he was the grandson of Jehoshaphat a sincere worshipper of God 2 Chronicles 22:9

and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David; see 1 Kings 22:50.

 

2 Kings 9:29  29 In the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab Ahaziah had become king over Judah.

   YLT  29And in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab reign did Ahaziah over Judah.

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.

 

2 Kings 9:30  30 Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head and looked through a window.

   YLT  30And Jehu cometh in to Jezreel and Jezebel hath heard and putteth her eyes in paint and maketh right her head and looketh out through the window.

And when Jehu was come to Jezreel Jezebel heard of it .... And of what he had done to Joram:

and she painted her face; or put "stibium" on her eyes; a sort of paint to make them look beautiful perhaps the same with powder of lead ore the Moors now use to tinge their eyebrows with and make them look black which they reckon graceful; see Gill on Ezekiel 23:40 this custom now obtains among the white Indians who to heighten the lustre of their complexion and render their eyes more languishing put a little black about themF14Agreement of Customs between East Indians and Jews art. 15. p. 65. :

and tired her head; dressed her head in the most elegant manner; not with a view to tempt Jehu which she could not expect being an aged woman; but for grandeur and majesty and in the pride and haughtiness of her spirit which she retained to the last and resolved to keep up and show in her extremity and calamity:

and looked out at a window; in a bravado as fearless of Jehu and to dash him out of countenance if she could; or she might hope by such a graceful and majestic appearance she made that he would be moved to spare her life; though this does not so well agree with what follows as the former.

 

2 Kings 9:31  31 Then as Jehu entered at the gate she said “Is it peace Zimri murderer of your master?”

   YLT  31And Jehu hath come into the gate and she saith `Was there peace [to] Zimri -- slayer of his lord?'

And as Jehu entered in at the gate .... Either of the city of Jezreel or of the king's palace:

she said had Zimri peace who slew his master? Elah the son of Baasha king of Israel; no he had not; he reigned but seven days and being besieged burnt the king's house over him and died 1 Kings 16:10 suggesting that the like would be his fate who had slain his master Joram; or the words may be rendered "O Zimri the slayer of his master"; calling Jehu so because of his likeness to Zimri.

 

2 Kings 9:32  32 And he looked up at the window and said “Who is on my side? Who?” So two or three eunuchs looked out at him.

   YLT  32And he lifteth up his face unto the window and saith `Who [is] with me? -- who?' and look out unto him do two [or] three eunuchs;

And he lifted up his face to the window .... On hearing the above words:

and said who is on my side who? and will assist in taking vengeance on this haughty imperious and abusive woman:

and there looked out to him two or three eunuchs; who used to wait on her as such did on women of quality and attend them in their bedchambers; these by their looks signified they were ready to do any thing Jehu should direct them Jezebel having been perhaps a very cruel mistress to them and so was hated by them; and they might hope by pleasing Jehu to be continued at court in their office.

 

2 Kings 9:33  33 Then he said “Throw her down.” So they threw her down and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot.

   YLT  33And he saith `Let her go;' and they let her go and [some] of her blood is sprinkled on the wall and on the horses and he treadeth her down.

And he said throw her down .... Out of the window upon the ground:

so they threw her down; took her up and cast her headlong as they were bid:

and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall; of the palace where she was:

and on the horses; which drew the chariot of Jehu:

and he trod her underfoot; with his horses; according to Kimchi her sentence and so her death was stoning as a retaliation of Naboth; for stoning was done two ways both by casting down persons on stones and by casting stones upon them; see Gill on Acts 7:58.

 

2 Kings 9:34  34 And when he had gone in he ate and drank. Then he said “Go now see to this accursed woman and bury her for she was a king’s daughter.”

   YLT  34And he cometh in and eateth and drinketh and saith `Look after I pray you this cursed one and bury her for she [is] a king's daughter.'

And when he was come in .... To the palace:

he did eat and drink; to refresh himself after so long a march and doing such execution:

and said go see now this cursed woman; who had been the means of bringing a curse on Israel through her idolatry and upon Ahab and his family and upon herself body and soul being cursed of God and of men:

and bury her; forgetting the prophecy concerning her though afterwards he remembered it:

for she is a king's daughter: the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians 1 Kings 16:31 and therefore in honour to royal dignity though a cursed woman he ordered the interment of her; or "though" she is the daughter of one of the kings of the nations of the world as Kimchi yet honour must be given to whom it is due.

 

2 Kings 9:35  35 So they went to bury her but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands.

   YLT  35And they go to bury her and have not found of her except the skull and the feet and the palms of the hands.

And they went to bury her .... The servants of Jehu according to his orders and instructions:

but they found no more of her than the scull and the feet and the palms of her hands; the flesh and even all the rest of her bones being devoured by dogs so that there was scarce anything of her to be buried as in 2 Kings 9:10 something similar to this happened to Ascletarion a mathematician as related by SuetoniusF15In Vita Domitian. c. 15. .

 

2 Kings 9:36  36 Therefore they came back and told him. And he said “This is the word of the Lord which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite saying ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel;[b]

   YLT  36And they turn back and declare to him and he saith `The word of Jehovah it [is] that He spake by the hand of this servant Elijah the Tishbite saying In the portion of Jezreel do the dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel

Wherefore they came again and told him .... How things were and what only could be found of Jezebel:

and he said this is the word of the Lord; or the fulfilment of it:

which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite saying; as in 1 Kings 21:23.

 

2 Kings 9:37  37 and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field in the plot at Jezreel so that they shall not say “Here lies Jezebel.”’”

   YLT  37and the carcase of Jezebel hath been as dung on the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel that they say not This [is] Jezebel.'

And the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel .... For upon this spot her carcass fell when thrown out of the window of the king's palace and here it was left; for the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which was in the portion of Jezreel was next to the palace 1 Kings 21:1 there seems to be some allusion to her name Jezebel which signifies "where is dung?"

so that they shall not say this is Jezebel; there being nothing left of her to be seen or pointed to nor any grave nor monument over it on which was such an inscription here lies Jezebel; or that might lead posterity to say this is Jezebel's grave. Now though the words of this verse are not recorded elsewhere as the words of the Lord by Elijah yet as Jehu was present when they were spoken and within the hearing of them he now remembered them and could repeat them these circumstances bringing them fresh to his mind.

 

──John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Kings 9:27 Literally The Garden House
  2. 2 Kings 9:36 1 Kings 21:23