2 Kings 9

1 children. R.V., “sons” (disciples). 2 his brethren. i.e., his comrades, his brothers in arms.

6 went into the house. i.e., out of the courtyard where the council would be seated.

8 shut up and left. Rather, as R.V., “shut up and left at large”; a phrase implying every one: see on 1 Kings xiv. 10.

11. Ye know the man, etc. An evasive reply: “You call him a madman, and he speaks like one.” R.V., “and what his talk was.”

13 took every man his garment. It is an ancient custom to honour royal and other illustrious personages by covering the ground over which they have to pass. If there was no time for preparation the robes and mantles of the persons present were used for this purpose: see Matt. xxi. 8.

on the top of the stairs. Rather, “on the bare steps” (R.V. marg.); promptly converting the outside staircase of the house into a temporary throne.

14 had kept Ramoth-gilead. Rather, “was keeping guard at Ramoth-gilead,” which the Syrians wanted to recover.

16. So Jehu rode, etc. Neither Ahaziah nor Joram knew anything of what had taken place at Ramoth-gilead, because Jehu and his captains had not allowed any one to leave the city.

18. What hast thou to do with peace? That is, What matters it to thee whether there be peace or war?

21 went out against Jehu. Rather, as in vers. 17, 18, “to meet Jehu” (R.V.).

22 whoredoms . . . witchcrafts. Referring to the licentious and superstitious practices connected with the idolatries which Jezebel had patronised.

23 turned his hands. That is, his reins, so turning his chariot round.

between his arms. Between his shoulders behind.

25 laid this burden. Rather, “pronounced this sentence”; cp. Isa. xiii. 1; xv. 1, etc.; Nahum i. 1.

27 he fled to Megiddo. From the account in 2 Chron. xxii. 9, it appears probable that Ahaziah, when wounded, fled first to Samaria, that being on the way to his own kingdom (the LXX adds, “to be healed”); and that, when discovered there, he was taken, or perhaps fled, to Megiddo, where he was slain.

29 the eleventh year. The difference of a single year between this statement and that in viii. 25 is readily explained by the different modes of computing the respective dates.

30 she painted her face. Literally, “put her eyes in paint.” It is a common custom among Eastern women to tinge the edges of the eyelids with powder, prepared from antimony, which makes the eyes appear brighter and larger.

31 [Had] Zimri peace, etc.? R.V., “Is it peace, thou Zimri, thy master’s murderer?” The reference is to Elah, slain by Zimri, as Jehoram was slain by Jehu.

33 trode her under foot. That is, by driving over her corpse.