2 Kings 9 15

2 Kings 9:15 kjv

But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel.

2 Kings 9:15 nkjv

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."

2 Kings 9:15 niv

but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds the Arameans had inflicted on him in the battle with Hazael king of Aram.) Jehu said, "If you desire to make me king, don't let anyone slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel."

2 Kings 9:15 esv

but King Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) So Jehu said, "If this is your decision, then let no one slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel."

2 Kings 9:15 nlt

But King Joram was wounded in the fighting and returned to Jezreel to recover from his wounds.) So Jehu told the men with him, "If you want me to be king, don't let anyone leave town and go to Jezreel to report what we have done."

2 Kings 9 verses

2 Kings 9 15 Meaning

2 Kings 9:15 describes a crucial strategic moment in Jehu's coup. It states that King Joram of Israel, who was previously wounded in battle against the Arameans (Syrians) at Ramoth-Gilead, had returned to Jezreel to recover. Immediately after being anointed king by the prophet and having his captains proclaim him, Jehu issues a direct and urgent command: "If this is your mind, then let no one escape or leave the city to go and tell it in Jezreel." This command reveals Jehu's calculated precision to maintain secrecy and prevent any forewarning from reaching Joram, thus ensuring the swift and successful execution of his divinely commissioned overthrow of the Omride dynasty.

2 Kings 9 15 Context

The events of 2 Kings 9:15 unfold at a critical juncture in Israel's history. Chapters 8 and 9 detail the reign of Joram (son of Ahab) in Israel and Ahaziah (grandson of Ahab) in Judah. At this point, Israel is embroiled in conflict with Aram (Syria) under King Hazael, whom the prophet Elisha had previously predicted would bring great suffering to Israel. Joram, leading his army at Ramoth-Gilead, is wounded in battle against Hazael. He retreats to Jezreel, a prominent royal city and site of Naboth's vineyard, where the prophecies of judgment against Ahab's house (including Joram's) were initially given.

Immediately preceding this verse, the prophet Elisha sends one of his disciples to Ramoth-Gilead to anoint Jehu, one of Joram's military commanders, as the next king of Israel. This anointing carries a divine mandate: to utterly destroy the house of Ahab, particularly as a consequence for their idolatry and wickedness. The moment Jehu is proclaimed king by his fellow officers, he demonstrates his decisive and ruthless character by implementing a critical strategic step to secure his rebellion, beginning with preventing any news from reaching the vulnerable King Joram in Jezreel.

2 Kings 9 15 Word analysis

• King Joram (וְיֹרָם): "Yoram" (Hebrew: יֹרָם) means "YHWH is exalted" or "YHWH is high." He is the son of Ahab and Jezebel, who became king of Israel. His current state, having "returned," signifies his location of retreat and recovery from battle, which ultimately positions him as a prime target for Jehu.

• had returned (שָׁב): (Hebrew: שָׁב) From the root "shuv," meaning to turn back, return. Emphasizes his retreat from the battlefield, highlighting his temporary absence from active command and his physical incapacitation, making him vulnerable.

• to Jezreel (יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה): (Hebrew: יִזְרְעֶ֑אל) "Yizre'el," meaning "God sows" or "God plants." Jezreel was a strategically important royal residence for the Omride dynasty. It was also the infamous site of Naboth's vineyard, deeply entwined with the prophecy of judgment against Ahab's house (1 Kgs 21:19-23). Joram's presence there positions him perfectly for the fulfillment of that prophecy by Jehu.

• to be healed (לְהִתְרַפֵּ֣א): (Hebrew: לְהִתְרַפֵּ֣א) From the root "rapa," meaning to heal, be cured. In the hitpael form, it means "to be healing oneself" or "to be recuperating." This directly indicates Joram's physical vulnerability and incapacitation, making him less prepared for an imminent threat.

• of the wounds (הַמַּכִּ֗ים): (Hebrew: הַמַּכִּ֗ים) Plural of "makka," meaning a blow, a wound, a plague. Denotes physical injuries sustained in battle, further underscoring Joram's weakened state.

• that the Syrians had inflicted on him (אֲשֶׁר הִכֻּהוּ אֲרַמִּים): (Hebrew: אֲרַמִּים) "Arammim" refers to the Arameans, the people of Aram (Syria). This points to the ongoing geopolitical conflict and identifies Hazael's kingdom as the specific source of Joram's injury. Hazael himself was divinely commissioned as an instrument of judgment against Israel (2 Kgs 8:12-13).

• when he fought (בְּהִלָּֽחֲמֹו): (Hebrew: בְּהִלָּֽחֲמֹו) From "lacham," meaning to fight. This specifies that the wounds were sustained during combat, confirming Joram's participation as a military leader.

• with Hazael king of Syria (אֶת־חֲזָאֵ֖ל מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם): "Hazael melekh Aram" (Hebrew: חֲזָאֵ֖ל מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם). Hazael, recently anointed by God's decree through Elisha (1 Kgs 19:15), was a fierce enemy of Israel. His role in wounding Joram contributes to the narrative of divine orchestration leading to Joram's eventual downfall.

• And Jehu said (וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יֵה֗וּא): (Hebrew: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יֵה֗וּא) "Wa-yomer Yehu." This immediately follows Jehu's anointing and the acclamation by his officers (2 Kgs 9:12-13), signifying his decisive assumption of authority and the initiation of his plan. Jehu's character is swiftly established as direct and commanding.

• "If this is your mind (אִם־כֵּ֣ן נַפְשְׁכֶ֗ם):" (Hebrew: אִם־כֵּ֣ן נַפְשְׁכֶ֗ם) Literally "If so your soul/spirit/desire." This idiomatic expression confirms the commitment and loyalty of his newly gathered supporters to the coup. It implies that their immediate enthusiasm and proclamation of him as king are now being put to the test—will they fully support him in his first, crucial strategic move?

• then let no one escape or leave (אַל־יֵצֵ֨א פָלִ֥יט וּבֹרֵ֛חַ): (Hebrew: אַל־יֵצֵ֨א פָלִ֥יט וּבֹרֵ֛חַ) "al yeṣe falit u'voreaḥ" - "Let not go out an escaped one and a fugitive." A very strong command for an absolute blockade. "Palit" refers to one who has escaped or been spared (from battle or destruction); "boreach" means a fugitive or one fleeing. Together, they emphasize total prohibition of any unauthorized departure. This is critical for preventing intelligence from reaching Joram.

• the city (מִן־הָעִיר֙): Refers to Ramoth-Gilead, the location where Jehu was just anointed and where he gathered his officers.

• to go and tell it in Jezreel (לְהַגִּ֥יד בְּיִזְרְעֶֽאל): (Hebrew: לְהַגִּ֥יד בְּיִזְרְעֶֽאל) "La-hagid b'Yizre'el" - to declare, report, make known in Jezreel. The direct objective: to prevent advance warning to Joram in Jezreel. The urgency is paramount to the success of Jehu's surprise attack.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "King Joram had returned to Jezreel to be healed of the wounds that the Syrians had inflicted on him": This clause sets the scene by establishing Joram's compromised state and his location, both of which are central to Jehu's strategic advantage. Joram's injury and retreat highlight his vulnerability and remove him from the center of power where he might otherwise respond more effectively to a rebellion. His being in Jezreel, rather than the more fortified Samaria, also makes him more accessible for a rapid assault.
  • "And Jehu said, 'If this is your mind, then let no one escape or leave the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.'": This entire phrase encapsulates Jehu's swift and ruthless tactical genius. The "If this is your mind" tests the immediate loyalty of his co-conspirators. The subsequent command, forbidding any unauthorized departure or communication from Ramoth-Gilead to Jezreel, is crucial. It ensures the element of surprise, preventing Joram from rallying forces or escaping. This is the first order of a king seized by a mission, signifying his absolute authority and immediate execution of divine judgment.

2 Kings 9 15 Bonus section

• The detail of Joram's wounds not only explains his location but also implies a weakening of his kingdom's military leadership.
• The swiftness of Jehu's command indicates that he was not merely an instrument but a very shrewd and effective leader chosen for this specific, ruthless task.
• Jezreel holds a significant, almost fated, role in the demise of the Omride dynasty. The specific instructions to prevent information from reaching "Jezreel" highlight this city as the ultimate target for Jehu's initial phase of the purge. This fulfills prophetic words spoken previously.
• The choice of "the city" (Ramoth-Gilead) from which no one was to escape underscores that Jehu and his officers were isolated from the general populace. This limited the chances of news leaking to other regions or to Joram.
• Jehu's inquiry "If this is your mind" might also be a subtle confirmation of the loyalty and full commitment of his captains to the dangerous act of regicide and usurpation, ensuring there were no dissenting voices or potential traitors within his immediate circle before proceeding.

2 Kings 9 15 Commentary

2 Kings 9:15 serves as the critical transition point where Jehu, freshly anointed and enthusiastically acclaimed king, immediately takes charge of his divinely commissioned coup against the house of Ahab. The verse foregrounds King Joram's vulnerable state—recovering from battle wounds in Jezreel—which provides the perfect window of opportunity for Jehu's surprise attack. Jehu's command to prevent any news from reaching Jezreel demonstrates his acute strategic awareness and his single-minded focus on his mission. He understands that the success of his audacious takeover hinges entirely on speed and secrecy, leveraging Joram's current physical incapacitation and geographical separation from the bulk of his military command. This verse portrays Jehu as a man of decisive action, swiftly moving from receiving his divine mandate to its tactical implementation, illustrating the grim efficiency with which God's judgment on the wicked house of Ahab was to be executed.