2 Kings 9:14-16

II. CONFRONTATION AT JEZREEL 9:14-37

The historian takes pains to paint the backdrop for the coup d-'etat in 2 Kings 9:14-16. Then, in a matter-of-fact way, he narrates the bloody deaths of Jehoram of Israel (2 Kings 9:17-26), Ahaziah of Judah (2 Kings 9:27-29), and Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30-37).

A. SETTING FOR THE COUP D-'ETAT 9:14-16

TRANSLATION

(14) So Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi conspired against Joram (now Joram was keeping Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael the king of Aram. And Joram the king had returned to convalesce in Jezreel from the wounds which the Arameans had inflicted upon him when he fought against Hazael the king of Aram). And Jehu said, If your minds are thus, do not let a fugitive escape from the city to go to tell it in Jezreel. (16) So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel; for Joram was resting there, and Ahaziah the king of Judah had gone down to visit Joram.

COMMENTS

By the open acts which took place at Ramoth-gilead, Jehu's conspiracy against the crown was launched. These soldiers happened to be at Ramoth-gilead in Transjordan because Joram had ordered the city to be defended against the incursions of the Arameans (2 Kings 9:14). The king himself, however, was not present, for he had retired to Jezreel to recuperate from battle wounds. After he was proclaimed to be king, Jehu proposed to his supporting officers that they must take all precaution to prevent anyone loyal to Joram from escaping to warn the king of their plans (2 Kings 9:15). Secrecy was absolutely essential. Had the word reached Jezreel, the king might have been able to field a sizable army of loyalists, consequently plunging the entire nation into a bloody civil war. This Jehu wanted to avoid at all costs. On the very day of his anointing, Jehu gathered a small chariot force and swiftly made his way to Jezreel, hoping to arrive before any suspicion of rebellion or revolt (2 Kings 9:16).