2 Kings 9:18

18 So there went one on horseback * to meet him, and said , Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said , What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told , saying , The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again .

2 Kings 9:18 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 9:18

So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, thus
saith the king, is it peace?
&c.] Are things well in the army, or any disturbance in the kingdom? are you come as friends or enemies? and Jehu said, what hast thou to do with peace?
or to ask such a question: turn thee behind me;
which he was obliged to do, Jehu having such a company of soldiers with him; and this he did, that he might carry no tidings to Joram, that he might not know as yet who he and his company were: and the watchman told, saying, the messenger came to them, but he
cometh not again;
of this he sent word to the king what he had observed.

2 Kings 9:18 In-Context

16 So Jehu rode in a chariot , and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram.

17 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?

18 So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said , Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said , What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told , saying , The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again .

19 Then he sent out a second on horseback , which came to them, and said , Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered , What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.

20 And the watchman told , saying , He came even unto them, and cometh not again : and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.