2 Kings 9:20

20 And the espyer told to Joram, and said, He came unto them, and he turneth not again; forsooth the going of the duke is as the going of Jehu, son of Nimshi (and the driving of the leader is like the driving of Jehu, the son of Nimshi); certainly he goeth fast.

2 Kings 9:20 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 9:20

And the watchman told, saying, he came even unto them, and
cometh not again
Was detained, as the other was: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi;
for, coming nearer, the watchman could discern the manner of his driving: for he driveth furiously;
in great haste, making much speed, being a man of a very warm and active spirit; and now being eager to come up with Joram, and seize him unprepared, and ascend the throne; the Targum is the reverse, ``for he driveth quietly or slowly,'' being desirous of drawing Joram out of the city, and get him into his hands, and slay him, that he might not have the trouble of besieging the place, which was able to hold out some time against him; and besides, he remembered the prophecy of Elisha, that Naboth's blood would be requited in the field of Jezreel, ( 2 Kings 9:26 ) , and therefore was desirous of drawing him out of the city, in order to slay him there.

2 Kings 9:20 In-Context

18 Then he, that went upon the chariot, went into the meeting of Jehu, and said, The king saith these things, Whether all things be peaced? (Is everything at peace with you?) And Jehu said to him, What to thee and to peace? Pass thou from Joram, and follow me. And the watchman told to Joram, and said, The messenger came to them, and he turneth not again.

19 Also the king sent the second chariot of horses, and he came to them, and said, The king saith these things, Whether peace is with you? (And the king sent a second chariot of horses, and the man came to them, and said, The king saith these things, Is everything at peace with you?) And Jehu said, What to thee and to peace? Pass thou forth, and follow me.

20 And the espyer told to Joram, and said, He came unto them, and he turneth not again; forsooth the going of the duke is as the going of Jehu, son of Nimshi (and the driving of the leader is like the driving of Jehu, the son of Nimshi); certainly he goeth fast.

21 And Joram said, Join ye (up) a chariot. And they joined (up) his chariot. And Joram, king of Israel, went out, and Ahaziah, king of Judah, went out, each in his chariot; and they went out into the meeting of Jehu, and they found him in the field of Naboth of Jezreel.

22 And when Joram had seen Jehu, he said, Jehu, is (it) peace? (And when Joram had seen Jehu, he said, Jehu, is everything at peace with you?) And he answered, What peace? Yet the fornications, that is, (the) idolatries, of Jezebel, thy mother, and (the) many poisonings of her be in strength.