2 Kings 10:4

4 But they were terrified and said, “If two kings could not resist him, how can we?”

2 Kings 10:4 in Other Translations

4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

4 But they were exceedingly afraid and said, "Behold, the two kings could not stand before him. How then can we stand?"

4 But they were paralyzed with fear and said, “We’ve seen that two kings couldn’t stand against this man! What can we do?”

4 They were absolutely terrified at the letter. They said, "Two kings have already been wiped out by him; what hope do we have?"

4 However, they were terrified and reasoned, "Look, two kings couldn't stand against him; how can we?"

2 Kings 10:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 10:4

But they were exceedingly afraid
They were intimidated at once; for they saw the purport of those letters, that should they attempt anything of this kind, he would come upon them with his forces:

and said, behold, two kings stood not before him;
the kings of Israel and Judah, Joram and Ahaziah; but they were unarmed, and therefore how should they stand before an armed body of men Jehu had with him? this shows the pusillanimity of these men to make use of such an argument as this:

how then shall we stand?
that is, before Jehu; but they were in much better circumstances than the two kings, as they are truly represented in ( 2 Kings 10:2 ) .

2 Kings 10:4 In-Context

2 “You have your master’s sons with you and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city and weapons. Now as soon as this letter reaches you,

3 choose the best and most worthy of your master’s sons and set him on his father’s throne. Then fight for your master’s house.”

4 But they were terrified and said, “If two kings could not resist him, how can we?”

5 So the palace administrator, the city governor, the elders and the guardians sent this message to Jehu: “We are your servants and we will do anything you say. We will not appoint anyone as king; you do whatever you think best.”

6 Then Jehu wrote them a second letter, saying, “If you are on my side and will obey me, take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me in Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the royal princes, seventy of them, were with the leading men of the city, who were rearing them.