2 Kings 9 17

2 Kings 9:17 kjv

And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?

2 Kings 9:17 nkjv

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?' "

2 Kings 9:17 niv

When the lookout standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu's troops approaching, he called out, "I see some troops coming." "Get a horseman," Joram ordered. "Send him to meet them and ask, 'Do you come in peace?'?"

2 Kings 9:17 esv

Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, "I see a company." And Joram said, "Take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, 'Is it peace?'"

2 Kings 9:17 nlt

The watchman on the tower of Jezreel saw Jehu and his company approaching, so he shouted to Joram, "I see a company of troops coming!" "Send out a rider to ask if they are coming in peace," King Joram ordered.

2 Kings 9 verses

2 Kings 9 17 Meaning

2 Kings 9:17 describes a pivotal moment in the execution of God's judgment against the house of Ahab. As Jehu, newly anointed by God's command, approaches the royal city of Jezreel, a lookout positioned on a watchtower sees his company. The verse highlights Jehu's immediate objective—Jezreel, where the reigning King Joram, son of Ahab, was recuperating from battle wounds. The lookout's seemingly ordinary observation marks the beginning of the end for the wicked dynasty, as it initiates a series of events divinely ordained to fulfill specific prophecies of judgment and establish Jehu as king.

2 Kings 9 17 Context

2 Kings chapter 9 marks a pivotal turning point in the history of the northern kingdom of Israel, serving as the dramatic fulfillment of prophecies uttered by Elijah and Elisha. The preceding chapter, 2 Kings 8, details King Joram of Israel being wounded in battle against Hazael of Aram at Ramoth-gilead and retreating to Jezreel to recover. Meanwhile, the prophet Elisha, carrying forward Elijah's mandate from 1 Kings 19, dispatches one of his disciples to anoint Jehu, a commander in Joram's army, as the new king of Israel. Jehu's anointing comes with the divine commission to utterly destroy the house of Ahab, particularly Joram, Jezebel, and all their male descendants, as retribution for their profound wickedness and idolatry, notably the promotion of Baal worship and the murder of Naboth. Verse 17 thus sets the immediate scene for this divinely orchestrated purge, showing Jehu's approach to the vulnerable King Joram and the alert observation that precedes the violent upheaval. Jezreel, a prominent royal residence, had previously been the scene of Ahab and Jezebel's grave sin involving Naboth's vineyard (1 Kgs 21), making it a fitting place for God's judgment to commence.

2 Kings 9 17 Word analysis

• Now Jehu: Hebrew וְיֵהוּא (ve-yêhû'). Emphasizes Jehu's prominent role. He is not merely an arriving person but the central figure in God's immediate plan for judgment against the house of Ahab, set in motion by his recent anointing.
• was riding: Hebrew רֹכֵב (rokhev). Active participle, indicating an ongoing action. Suggests swift, determined movement, reflecting Jehu's zealous character that becomes apparent later in the chapter (2 Kgs 9:20, "for he drives furiously"). This is not a leisurely trip.
• in a chariot: Hebrew בָּרֶכֶב (ba-rekhev). The mode of transport signifying a military leader, speed, and strategic movement. It emphasizes Jehu's identity as a commander and points to the rapid pace of the coming events. Chariots were fast vehicles used for war.
• and going to Jezreel: Hebrew וְהֹלֵךְ יִזְרְעֶ֑לָה (ve-holêkh Yizre'elah). Specifies the crucial destination. Jezreel was a strategically important royal city where the kings of Israel often resided, and critically, where Joram was at that moment. This locale also had deep symbolic resonance due to Naboth's vineyard (1 Kgs 21).
• for Joram: Hebrew כִּי־יְהוֹרָ֥ם (kî-yehôrām). Introduces the reason for Jehu's direct route to Jezreel. Joram is the target, marked for destruction by divine decree.
• was lying there sick: Hebrew שֹׁכֵ֥ב שָׁם֙ חוֹלֶ֑ה (shokhev shām ḥôleh). This crucial detail explains Joram's vulnerability and his presence in Jezreel. He was wounded at Ramoth-gilead (2 Kgs 8:28-29), not on duty, thus creating an opportune moment for Jehu's strike. His physical weakness stands in stark contrast to Jehu's energetic approach, setting up the impending divine judgment.
• And the lookout: Hebrew וְהַצֹּפֶה֙ (ve-haṣṣôpeh). Refers to the "watchman" or "sentinel," a common and vital role in ancient walled cities for defense. Their primary duty was to scan the horizon and report on approaching individuals or groups, crucial for city security. This lookout's immediate and accurate observation serves God's timing perfectly.
• was standing: Hebrew עֹמֵ֤ד ('ōmēd). Implying a vigilant posture, fulfilling their duty to observe.
• on the tower: Hebrew עַל־הַמִּגְדָּל֙ ('al-hammigdāl). Towers (Hebrew migdal) provided an elevated vantage point, necessary for early detection of distant movements, further emphasizing the significance of this strategic observation.
• in Jezreel: Hebrew בְּיִזְרְעֶ֔אל (bəyizre'e'l). Reinforces the location from which the observation is made, making it clear this is happening right at the target city.
• and saw: Hebrew וַיַּרְא֙ (vayyar'). The act of seeing, fundamental to the lookout's role, initiates the next sequence of actions. This sighting is not coincidental but providentially arranged.
• the company of Jehu: Hebrew אֶת־שִׁפְעַ֥ת יֵה֖וּא ('et-shif'at yêhû'). The word שִׁפְעַת (shif'at) implies a "multitude," "abundance," or "large company/troop." This indicates Jehu was not alone but accompanied by a significant number of followers, likely his military detachment, making his approach distinct and identifiable from a distance. It's a noticeable, distinct entity.
• as he came: Hebrew בְּבֹא֑וֹ (bəvō'ô). Simple, direct observation of the approach.
• and said: Hebrew וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (vayyō'mer). The lookout immediately reports what he sees, a direct fulfilling of his duty, relaying crucial information to the king.
• I see a company: Hebrew שִׁפְעָ֥ה אֲנִֽי־רֹאֶֽה׃ (shif'āh 'anî-rō'eh). The direct and concise report, emphasizing the single, clear observation of a significant group, initially without identifying their leader or intent. This terse declaration sets the stage for further investigation and ultimately, dramatic events.

2 Kings 9 17 Bonus section

The seemingly innocent phrase "I see a company" from the lookout belies the earth-shattering events it prefaces. The ambiguity of "a company" is later resolved when Jehu's characteristic furious driving style becomes known, transforming the observation from a neutral report into a terrifying harbinger of his violent intent. The scene powerfully illustrates the concept of "God's timing" – everything converges at the exact moment necessary: Joram's wounded state, Jehu's zealous spirit, and the lookout's timely observation from a tower overlooking a historical site of significant sin. This precision underscores the theological conviction that even seemingly chance occurrences are woven into the fabric of God's overarching plan for justice and redemption.

2 Kings 9 17 Commentary

2 Kings 9:17 presents a masterfully understated introduction to a scene of intense divine judgment. The narrative highlights the meticulous unfolding of God's sovereign plan through seemingly mundane details. King Joram, afflicted and vulnerable, is strategically located in Jezreel, the very place marked for the house of Ahab's downfall. Meanwhile, Jehu, Yahweh's designated instrument, moves with purposeful speed. The lookout, a regular feature of city defense in ancient times, performs his routine duty by spotting the approaching company. His brief report, "I see a company," while seemingly trivial, is the spark that ignites the explosive events of the chapter.

This verse demonstrates several theological truths. Firstly, God's prophetic words always come to pass; every detail, even Joram's convalescence, serves to facilitate the fulfillment of Elijah's and Elisha's prophecies. Secondly, God works through ordinary human actions and structures (a lookout, a watchtower, a military advance) to achieve extraordinary, divinely purposed outcomes. The lookout is not given special revelation, yet his clear-eyed report of Jehu's company, initially ambiguous regarding their intentions, marks the inevitable arrival of divine judgment. This emphasizes that no human preparation or defensive measure can ultimately thwart the will of God when He has ordained judgment or deliverance.