Melachim Bais 9:17

17 And there stood a tzofeh (sentinel) on the migdal in Yizre’el, and he saw the company of Yehu as he approached, and said, I see a company. Yoram said, Take a horseman, send to meet them, and let him say, Is it shalom?

Melachim Bais 9:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 9:17

And there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel
Who could see afar off when an enemy was coming, and his business was to give notice of it; and especially he was now on his watch tower, because the king was there, and this was necessary for his safety: and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a
company;
a troop of soldiers, though he did not know who they were, and to whom they belonged, whether they were Syrians or Israelites; which was reported to the king: and Joram said, take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him
say, is it peace?
he might fear some ill had befallen his army at Ramothgilead, and the Syrians had got the advantage of them; or they had made an irruption into his country, and were coming to attack him at Jezreel; or there was an insurrection among his own people.

Melachim Bais 9:17 In-Context

15 But Yehoram HaMelech had returned to recover in Yizre’el from the makkim (wounds) which the Aramim (Syrians) had inflicted on him, when he fought against Chazael Melech Aram. And Yehu said, If ye be so minded, then let none slip away nor escape from the Ir to go to tell it in Yizre’el.

16 So Yehu rode in a merkavah, and went to Yizre’el; for Yoram lay there. And Achazyahu Melech Yehudah was come down to see Yoram.

17 And there stood a tzofeh (sentinel) on the migdal in Yizre’el, and he saw the company of Yehu as he approached, and said, I see a company. Yoram said, Take a horseman, send to meet them, and let him say, Is it shalom?

18 So there went a rider on the sus to meet him, and said, Thus saith HaMelech, Is it shalom? And Yehu said, What hast thou to do with shalom? Fall in behind me. And the tzofeh told, saying, The malach reached them, but he cometh not back.

19 Then he sent out a second on sus, which came to them, and said, Thus saith HaMelech, Is it shalom? And Yehu answered, What hast thou to do with shalom? Fall in behind me.