2 Kings 9

Chap. X. ver. 1. — Ahab had seventy sons] It is probable that grandsons are comprehended under the name of sons, as is usual in Scripture. Bp. Patrick. The time was now come that the sentence of God’s judgment should be executed on the posterity of the wicked Ahab. It had been respited during his own life, in regard to that humiliation he had shewn on hearing it denounced, 1 Kings xxi. 27; but was now inflicted, in full weight, by the hand of Jehu, who slew all that remained of the house of Ahab, until he left him none remaining. How terrible, and yet how forbearing, are Thy judgments, O God! the slenderest motions of godly sorrow, and most imperfect symptoms of repentance, are not rejected of Thee: the bruised reed and smoking flax shall stay Thy hand awhile; for Thou waitest to be gracious. But justice will not always be mocked; whom mercy by sparing does not reform, judgment, without mercy, shall finally destroy. Wogan. — wrote letters — to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel.] The expression is remarkable, that he wrote to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel. It seems probable that the great men of the court at Jezreel, on hearing that Jehu had slain Jehoram, took the children for Before CHRIST 884. 884. neuroses. Ahab’s seventy sons beheaded, and all his kindred, &c. destroyed. Before CHRIST 204.

2 Kings 9:13

13. — took every man his garment.] They spread their garments under his feet in the council-room, or else raised with them a kind of throne, on which he might sit. Pyle.

— on the top of the stairs.] They did not stay till they came down into the street, but forthwith, upon the very top of the stairs of the place where they were sitting, acknowledged him for their sovereign: or the meaning has been conjectured, that these were winding stairs in a turret, on the top of which they placed Jehu, that all the people might see him and hear him proclaimed their king. Bp. Patrick.

2 Kings 9:15

15. — let none go forth nor escape out of the city] This seems to shew that Ramoth-gilead was in the possession of the Israelites. Bp. Patrick. Or the words may be translated, “from before the city;” that is, out of the camp or army which was besieging it. Perhaps too the Israelites may, at this time, have had the suburbs, or outbuildings belonging to the city, in their possession, from whence orders may have been given, that none should be permitted to move. Stackhouse.

2 Kings 9:17

17. — there stood a watchman] These watchmen seem to have been set on high places, in time of peace as well as war, wherever the king was, that he might not be surprised. For David at Jerusalem was admonished by the watchmen that his sons were safe, when he feared they had been lost, 2 Sam. xiii. 34; as afterward, that news was coming from the army that fought against Absalom, 2 Sam. xviii. 24, 25.

2 Kings 9:18

18. — What hast thou to do with peace?] As if he had said, Trouble not thyself to ask any questions, for thou shalt carry no answer back; but turn thee behind, and follow me. Dr. Wells.

2 Kings 9:21

21. — in the portion of Naboth] This was by the special providence of God that brought them together in that place.

2 Kings 9:22

22. — What peace, so long as the whoredoms &c.] What possibility is there of holding good terms with thee, so long as the abominable idolatries and superstition of thy mother Jezebel both remain, and are maintained and countenanced by thee? Bp. Hall.

He upbraids Jehoram with his mother’s sins, not with his own, because hers were the most notorious and in-

Or, marching. Jehu killeth Joram. Ahaziah is slain. Before CHRIST 584. filled his hand with a bow. beared. g 1 Kings 21, 29. portion. and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah.

2 Kings 9:23

23. — There is treachery.] Too late now does wretched Jehoram turn his chariot and cry, Treason, O Ahaziah. There was treason before, O Jehoram: thy treason against the majesty of God is now revenged by the treason of Jehu against thee. That fatal shaft, notwithstanding the swift pace of both the chariots, is directed to the heart of Jehoram. There is no erring of those arrows which are guided by the hand of God. Bp. Hall.

2 Kings 9:25

25. — cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth] How just are the judgments of God! It was in the field of Naboth that Jehoram met with Jehu; that very ground called to him for blood. And now this now avenger remembers that prophecy which he heard from the mouth of Elijah, in that very place, following the heels of Ahab, and is careful to perform it. Little did Jehu think, when he heard that message from Elijah, that his hands should act it: now, as if zealous of accomplishing the word of a Prophet, he gives charge to Bidkar his captain, that the bleeding carcase of Jehoram should be cast upon that very plat of Naboth. O Naboth’s blood well paid for! Ahab’s blood is licked up by dogs in the very place where dogs licked Naboth’s. Jehoram’s blood shall manure that ground which was wrung from Naboth, and Jezebel shall add to its manuring. O garden of herbs dearly bought! Bp. Hall. — when I and thou rode together] When we rode with the rest of Ahab’s guard, when he went to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. In the Hebrew the words are exactly thus: “Remember, thou and I were amongst those who rode two and two together with Ahab;” that is, Ahab was attended by his guard, who were wont to ride in pairs, two and two; and Jehu and Bidkar, riding together at that time, heard Elijah’s words, in which “the Lord laid this burden upon him.” By “burden” is here meant the punishment denounced against him, and which by the Prophets is frequently called “a burden,” Isa. xiii. 1. These very words of Elijah, mentioned in the next verse, are not recorded at

2 Kings 9:26

26. — and the blood of his sons.] It is to be observed, that, in the history of Naboth, (recorded at 1 Kings xxi,) we find no mention made of the death of his son; but it is no unusual thing for the Scriptures to supply in one place that which has been omitted in another. It is therefore not improbable, that, as Naboth was accused of high treason, all his family was involved in his ruin, and all his estate confiscated to the king’s treasury. And this opinion seems to be confirmed by the fact, that we do not once find Elijah putting Ahab in mind to restore the vineyard to Naboth’s children, nor the king, in the time of his repentance, ever once thinking to do so. Stackhouse. — Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground.] We here observe, in the story of Joram’s rash conduct and unhappy fate, the unerring superintendence of Divine Providence, the truth of God’s word, the exact measures of His justice, and most punctual accomplishment of His will in every the minutest circumstance of time and place. It was not chance, but the overruling power of Heaven, which directed this whole transaction; which sent Jehu, and which conducted Joram, to that very plat which had been decreed to be the place of his execution. The purchase of Ahab’s covetousness and murder was the theatre of his punishment, and of his son’s death. This Jehu called to mind, and remembered, as the burden laid upon Ahab, “I will requite thee in this plat, saith the Lord.” Had Joram remembered or minded that prophecy, he might have escaped. There is no way to prevent the stroke of Divine justice, but by taking heed to the word of God, and a timely repentance. Woyan.

2 Kings 9:27

27. — and died there.] Not at Megiddo; for it appears from 2 Chron. xxii. 9, that, being searched for and taken in Samaria, he was brought to Jehu, (at Jezreel probably,) who commanded him to be slain. Bp. Patrick.

2 Kings 9:30

30. — she painted her face.] The words in the original import, “She put her eyes in paint;” that is, she used stibium, or antimony made into powder, to make her eyes and eyebrows look black and large, which in several countries was esteemed a great beauty. See Ezek. xxiii. 40; Jer. iv. 30. Stackhouse. She had no intention of tempting Jehu by her beauty, but was merely actuated by motives of pride and vanity to keep up her state and dignity to the last. Bp. Patrick. How finely Jezebel is killed. Ahab’s seventy sons. Before CHRIST about 884. Or, chamberlains. the hand of h 1 Kings 21. 25. is the haughty and inflexible spirit of Jezebel here marked! with the utmost composure she adorns her person, as on an occasion of state; instead of seeking concealment, she places herself at a window, and proudly encounters with reproaches (ver. 31) the successful rebel.

2 Kings 9:31

31. — Had Zimri peace, &c.] Zimri slew his master Elah, and was himself destroyed by Omri. See 1 Kings xvi. Calmet.

2 Kings 9:34

34. — and bury her:] Death puts an end commonly to the highest displeasure. He that was severe in the execution of the living, is merciful in the sepulture of the dead. She that upbraided Jehu with the name of Zimri, is interred by Jehu, as the daughter-in-law of Omri, as a Sidonian princess. Somewhat must be yielded to humanity, somewhat to state. Bp. Hall.

2 Kings 9:35

35. — they found so more of her than the skull, &c.] The dogs have prevented Jehu in his purpose, and have given to Jezebel a living tomb, more ignoble than the worst of the earth. Only the skull, hands, and feet of that vanished carcase yet remain: the skull, which was the roof of all her wicked devices; the hands and feet, which were the executioners. Thus Jezebel is become food for dogs; Elijah is verified; Naboth is revenged; Jezreel is purged; Jehu is zealous; and, in all, God is just. Bp. Hall. Thus must pride fall! Insolent, idolatrous, cruel Jezebel besprinkles the walls and pavement with her blood: she who devised mischief against the servants of God, is dashed upon the stones; and she that insulted upon the Prophets, is trampled upon by horses’ heels. Bp. Hall. We should reflect properly on the end of Jezebel. It was no protection to her that she was the daughter, the wife, the mother of kings. She probably reckoned on her advantages of birth and wealth, thought that she was above the control of laws, # CHAP. X.