Jehu Anointed King of Israel

And Elisha the prophet called one of (A)the sons of the prophets, and said to him, (B)“Get[a] yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, (C)and go to Ramoth Gilead. Now when you arrive at that place, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in and make him rise up from among (D)his associates, and take him to an inner room. Then (E)take the flask of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ Then open the door and flee, and do not delay.”

So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead. And when he arrived, there were the captains of the army sitting; and he said, “I have a message for you, Commander.”

Jehu said, “For which one of us?”

And he said, “For you, Commander.” Then he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, (F)“Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel. You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may (G)avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, (H)at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and (I)I will cut off from Ahab all (J)the males in Israel, both (K)bond and free. So I will make the house of Ahab like the house of (L)Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of (M)Baasha the son of Ahijah. 10 (N)The dogs shall eat Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her.’ ” And he opened the door and fled.

11 Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, “Is all well? Why did (O)this madman come to you?”

And he said to them, “You know the man and his babble.”

12 And they said, “A lie! Tell us now.”

So he said, “Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ ”

13 Then each man hastened (P)to take his garment and put it [b]under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, “Jehu is king!”

Joram of Israel Killed

14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against (Q)Joram. (Now Joram had been defending Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, against Hazael king of Syria. 15 But (R)King [c]Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which the Syrians had inflicted on him when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, “If you are so minded, let no one leave or escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.” 16 So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram was laid up there; (S)and Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram.

17 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, [d]Is it peace?’ ”

18 So the horseman went to meet him, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’ ”

And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? [e]Turn around and follow me.”

So the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger went to them, but is not coming back.”

19 Then he sent out a second horseman who came to them, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’ ”

And Jehu answered, “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.”

20 So the watchman reported, saying, “He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!”

21 Then Joram said, [f]“Make ready.” And his chariot was made ready. Then (T)Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot; and they went out to meet Jehu, and [g]met him (U)on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?”

So he answered, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”

23 Then Joram turned around and fled, and said to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” 24 Now Jehu [h]drew his bow with full strength and shot Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow came out at his heart, and he sank down in his chariot. 25 Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, “Pick him up, and throw him into the tract of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember, when you and I were riding together behind Ahab his father, that (V)the Lord laid this (W)burden upon him: 26 ‘Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,’ says the Lord, (X)‘and I will repay you [i]in this plot,’ says the Lord. Now therefore, take and throw him on the plot of ground, according to the word of the Lord.”

Ahaziah of Judah Killed(Y)

27 But when Ahaziah king of Judah saw this, he fled by the road to [j]Beth Haggan. So Jehu pursued him, and said, [k]“Shoot him also in the chariot.” And they shot him at the Ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. Then he fled to (Z)Megiddo, and died there. 28 And his servants carried him in the chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the City of David. 29 In the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab, Ahaziah had become king over Judah.

Jezebel’s Violent Death

30 Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; (AA)and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. 31 Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, (AB)Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?”

32 And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. 33 Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. 34 And when he had gone in, he ate and drank. Then he said, “Go now, see to this accursed woman, and bury her, for (AC)she was a king’s daughter.” 35 So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. 36 Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, (AD)‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; 37 and the corpse of Jezebel shall be (AE)as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, “Here lies Jezebel.” ’ ”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 9:1 Lit. Gird up your loins
  2. 2 Kings 9:13 Lit. under his feet
  3. 2 Kings 9:15 Jehoram, v. 24
  4. 2 Kings 9:17 Are you peaceful?
  5. 2 Kings 9:18 Lit. Turn behind me
  6. 2 Kings 9:21 Harness up
  7. 2 Kings 9:21 Lit. found
  8. 2 Kings 9:24 Lit. filled his hand
  9. 2 Kings 9:26 on this property
  10. 2 Kings 9:27 Lit. The Garden House
  11. 2 Kings 9:27 Lit. Strike

וֶאֱלִישָׁע֙ הַנָּבִ֔יא קָרָ֕א לְאַחַ֖ד מִבְּנֵ֣י הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר ל֜וֹ חֲגֹ֣ר מָתְנֶ֗יךָ וְ֠קַח פַּ֣ךְ הַשֶּׁ֤מֶן הַזֶּה֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ וְלֵ֖ךְ רָמֹ֥ת גִּלְעָֽד׃

וּבָ֖אתָ שָׁ֑מָּה וּרְאֵֽה־שָׁ֠ם יֵה֨וּא בֶן־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֜ט בֶּן־נִמְשִׁ֗י וּבָ֙אתָ֙ וַהֲקֵֽמֹתוֹ֙ מִתּ֣וֹך אֶחָ֔יו וְהֵבֵיאתָ֥ אֹת֖וֹ חֶ֥דֶר בְּחָֽדֶר׃

וְלָקַחְתָּ֤ פַךְ־הַשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙ וְיָצַקְתָּ֣ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔וֹ וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙ כֹּֽה־אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה מְשַׁחְתִּ֥יךָֽ לְמֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּפָתַחְתָּ֥ הַדֶּ֛לֶת וְנַ֖סְתָּה וְלֹ֥א תְחַכֶּֽה׃

וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ הַנַּ֛עַר הַנַּ֥עַר הַנָּבִ֖יא רָמֹ֥ת גִּלְעָֽד׃

וַיָּבֹ֗א וְהִנֵּ֨ה שָׂרֵ֤י הַחַ֙יִל֙ יֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים וַיֹּ֕אמֶר דָּבָ֥ר לִ֛י אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַשָּׂ֑ר וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יֵהוּא֙ אֶל־מִ֣י מִכֻּלָּ֔נוּ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלֶ֥יךָ הַשָּֽׂר׃

וַיָּ֙קָם֙ וַיָּבֹ֣א הַבַּ֔יְתָה וַיִּצֹ֥ק הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן אֶל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מְשַׁחְתִּ֧יךָֽ לְמֶ֛לֶךְ אֶל־עַ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

וְהִ֨כִּיתָ֔ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אַחְאָ֖ב אֲדֹנֶ֑יךָ וְנִקַּמְתִּ֞י דְּמֵ֣י׀ עֲבָדַ֣י הַנְּבִיאִ֗ים וּדְמֵ֛י כָּל־עַבְדֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה מִיַּ֥ד אִיזָֽבֶל׃

וְאָבַ֖ד כָּל־בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב וְהִכְרַתִּ֤י לְאַחְאָב֙ מַשְׁתִּ֣ין בְּקִ֔יר וְעָצ֥וּר וְעָז֖וּב בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

וְנָֽתַתִּי֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֔ב כְּבֵ֖ית יָרָבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֑ט וּכְבֵ֖ית בַּעְשָׁ֥א בֶן־אֲחִיָּֽה׃

10 וְאֶת־אִיזֶ֜בֶל יֹאכְל֧וּ הַכְּלָבִ֛ים בְּחֵ֥לֶק יִזְרְעֶ֖אל וְאֵ֣ין קֹבֵ֑ר וַיִּפְתַּ֥ח הַדֶּ֖לֶת וַיָּנֹֽס׃

11 וְיֵה֗וּא יָצָא֙ אֶל־עַבְדֵ֣י אֲדֹנָ֔יו וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ הֲשָׁל֔וֹם מַדּ֛וּעַ בָּֽא־הַמְשֻׁגָּ֥ע הַזֶּ֖ה אֵלֶ֑יךָ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אַתֶּ֛ם יְדַעְתֶּ֥ם אֶת־הָאִ֖ישׁ וְאֶת־שִׂיחֽוֹ׃

12 וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ שֶׁ֔קֶר הַגֶּד־נָ֖א לָ֑נוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר כָּזֹ֤את וְכָזֹאת֙ אָמַ֤ר אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה מְשַׁחְתִּ֥יךָֽ לְמֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

13 וַֽיְמַהֲר֗וּ וַיִּקְחוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ בִּגְד֔וֹ וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ תַחְתָּ֖יו אֶל־גֶּ֣רֶם הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ מָלַ֥ךְ יֵהֽוּא׃

14 וַיִּתְקַשֵּׁ֗ר יֵה֛וּא בֶּן־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט בֶּן־נִמְשִׁ֖י אֶל־יוֹרָ֑ם וְיוֹרָם֩ הָיָ֨ה שֹׁמֵ֜ר בְּרָמֹ֣ת גִּלְעָ֗ד ה֚וּא וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִפְּנֵ֥י חֲזָאֵ֖ל מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָֽם׃

15 וַיָּשָׁב֩ יְהוֹרָ֨ם הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְהִתְרַפֵּ֣א בִיְזְרְעֶ֗אל מִן־הַמַּכִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַכֻּ֣הוּ אֲרַמִּ֔ים בְּהִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וֹ אֶת־חֲזָאֵ֖ל מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יֵהוּא֙ אִם־יֵ֣שׁ נַפְשְׁכֶ֔ם אַל־יֵצֵ֤א פָלִיט֙ מִן־הָעִ֔יר לָלֶ֖כֶת ׳לַגִּיד׳ ״לְהַגִּ֥יד״ בְּיִזְרְעֶֽאל׃

16 וַיִּרְכַּ֤ב יֵהוּא֙ וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ יִזְרְעֶ֔אלָה כִּ֥י יוֹרָ֖ם שֹׁכֵ֣ב שָׁ֑מָּה וַֽאֲחַזְיָה֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה יָרַ֖ד לִרְא֥וֹת אֶת־יוֹרָֽם׃

17 וְהַצֹּפֶה֩ עֹמֵ֨ד עַֽל־הַמִּגְדָּ֜ל בְּיִזְרְעֶ֗אל וַיַּ֞רְא אֶת־שִׁפְעַ֤ת יֵהוּא֙ בְּבֹא֔וֹ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר שִׁפְעַ֖ת אֲנִ֣י רֹאֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוֹרָ֗ם קַ֥ח רַכָּ֛ב וּֽשְׁלַ֥ח לִקְרָאתָ֖ם וְיֹאמַ֥ר הֲשָׁלֽוֹם׃

18 וַיֵּלֶךְ֩ רֹכֵ֨ב הַסּ֜וּס לִקְרָאת֗וֹ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הֲשָׁל֔וֹם וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יֵה֛וּא מַה־לְּךָ֥ וּלְשָׁל֖וֹם סֹ֣ב אֶֽל־אַחֲרָ֑י וַיַּגֵּ֤ד הַצֹּפֶה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּֽא־הַמַּלְאָ֥ךְ עַד־הֵ֖ם וְלֹֽא־שָֽׁב׃

19 וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח רֹכֵ֣ב סוּס֮ שֵׁנִי֒ וַיָּבֹ֣א אֲלֵהֶ֔ם וַיֹּ֛אמֶר כֹּֽה־אָמַ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שָׁל֑וֹם וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יֵה֛וּא מַה־לְּךָ֥ וּלְשָׁל֖וֹם סֹ֥ב אֶֽל־אַחֲרָֽי׃

20 וַיַּגֵּ֤ד הַצֹּפֶה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֥א עַד־אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וְלֹֽא־שָׁ֑ב וְהַמִּנְהָ֗ג כְּמִנְהַג֙ יֵה֣וּא בֶן־נִמְשִׁ֔י כִּ֥י בְשִׁגָּע֖וֹן יִנְהָֽג׃

21 וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוֹרָם֙ אֱסֹ֔ר וַיֶּאְסֹ֖ר רִכְבּ֑וֹ וַיֵּצֵ֣א יְהוֹרָ֣ם מֶֽלֶךְ־יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל וַאֲחַזְיָ֨הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֜ה אִ֣ישׁ בְּרִכְבּ֗וֹ וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙ לִקְרַ֣את יֵה֔וּא וַיִּמְצָאֻ֔הוּ בְּחֶלְקַ֖ת נָב֥וֹת הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִֽי׃

22 וַיְהִ֗י כִּרְא֤וֹת יְהוֹרָם֙ אֶת־יֵה֔וּא וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הֲשָׁל֣וֹם יֵה֑וּא וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ מָ֣ה הַשָּׁל֔וֹם עַד־זְנוּנֵ֞י אִיזֶ֧בֶל אִמְּךָ֛ וּכְשָׁפֶ֖יהָ הָרַבִּֽים׃

23 וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ יְהוֹרָ֛ם יָדָ֖יו וַיָּנֹ֑ס וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֶל־אֲחַזְיָ֖הוּ מִרְמָ֥ה אֲחַזְיָֽה׃

24 וְיֵה֞וּא מִלֵּ֧א יָד֣וֹ בַקֶּ֗שֶׁת וַיַּ֤ךְ אֶת־יְהוֹרָם֙ בֵּ֣ין זְרֹעָ֔יו וַיֵּצֵ֥א הַחֵ֖צִי מִלִּבּ֑וֹ וַיִּכְרַ֖ע בְּרִכְבּֽוֹ׃

25 וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֶל־בִּדְקַר֙ ׳שְׁלֹשָׁה׳ ״שָֽׁלִשׁ֔וֹ״ שָׂ֚א הַשְׁלִכֵ֔הוּ בְּחֶלְקַ֕ת שְׂדֵ֖ה נָב֣וֹת הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִ֑י כִּֽי־זְכֹ֞ר אֲנִ֣י וָאַ֗תָּה אֵ֣ת רֹכְבִ֤ים צְמָדִים֙ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אַחְאָ֣ב אָבִ֔יו וַֽיהוָה֙ נָשָׂ֣א עָלָ֔יו אֶת־הַמַּשָּׂ֖א הַזֶּֽה׃

26 אִם־לֹ֡א אֶת־דְּמֵ֣י נָבוֹת֩ וְאֶת־דְּמֵ֨י בָנָ֜יו רָאִ֤יתִי אֶ֙מֶשׁ֙ נְאֻם־יְהוָ֔ה וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֥י לְךָ֛ בַּחֶלְקָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה וְעַתָּ֗ה שָׂ֧א הַשְׁלִכֵ֛הוּ בַּחֶלְקָ֖ה כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃

27 וַאֲחַזְיָ֤ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה֙ רָאָ֔ה וַיָּ֕נָס דֶּ֖רֶךְ בֵּ֣ית הַגָּ֑ן וַיִּרְדֹּ֨ף אַחֲרָ֜יו יֵה֗וּא וַ֠יֹּאמֶר גַּם־אֹת֞וֹ הַכֻּ֣הוּ אֶל־הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֗ה בְּמַֽעֲלֵה־גוּר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽת־יִבְלְעָ֔ם וַיָּ֥נָס מְגִדּ֖וֹ וַיָּ֥מָת שָֽׁם׃

28 וַיַּרְכִּ֧בוּ אֹת֛וֹ עֲבָדָ֖יו יְרוּשָׁלְָ֑מָה וַיִּקְבְּר֨וּ אֹת֧וֹ בִקְבֻרָת֛וֹ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֥יר דָּוִֽד׃ פ

29 וּבִשְׁנַת֙ אַחַ֣ת עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לְיוֹרָ֖ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֑ב מָלַ֥ךְ אֲחַזְיָ֖ה עַל־יְהוּדָֽה׃

30 וַיָּב֥וֹא יֵה֖וּא יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה וְאִיזֶ֣בֶל שָׁמְעָ֗ה וַתָּ֨שֶׂם בַּפּ֤וּךְ עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙ וַתֵּ֣יטֶב אֶת־רֹאשָׁ֔הּ וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף בְּעַ֥ד הַחַלּֽוֹן׃

31 וְיֵה֖וּא בָּ֣א בַשָּׁ֑עַר וַתֹּ֣אמֶר הֲשָׁל֔וֹם זִמְרִ֖י הֹרֵ֥ג אֲדֹנָֽיו׃

32 וַיִּשָּׂ֤א פָנָיו֙ אֶל־הַ֣חַלּ֔וֹן וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֥י אִתִּ֖י מִ֑י וַיַּשְׁקִ֣יפוּ אֵלָ֔יו שְׁנַ֥יִם שְׁלֹשָׁ֖ה סָרִיסִֽים׃

33 וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ׳שִׁמְטֻהוּ׳ ״שִׁמְט֖וּהָ״ וַֽיִּשְׁמְט֑וּהָ וַיִּ֨ז מִדָּמָ֧הּ אֶל־הַקִּ֛יר וְאֶל־הַסּוּסִ֖ים וַֽיִּרְמְסֶֽנָּה׃

34 וַיָּבֹ֖א וַיֹּ֣אכַל וַיֵּ֑שְׁתְּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר פִּקְדוּ־נָ֞א אֶת־הָאֲרוּרָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ וְקִבְר֔וּהָ כִּ֥י בַת־מֶ֖לֶךְ הִֽיא׃

35 וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ לְקָבְרָ֑הּ וְלֹא־מָ֣צְאוּ בָ֗הּ כִּ֧י אִם־הַגֻּלְגֹּ֛לֶת וְהָרַגְלַ֖יִם וְכַפּ֥וֹת הַיָּדָֽיִם׃

36 וַיָּשֻׁבוּ֮ וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לוֹ֒ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֣ה ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֗ר בְּיַד־עַבְדּ֛וֹ אֵלִיָּ֥הוּ הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר בְּחֵ֣לֶק יִזְרְעֶ֔אל יֹאכְל֥וּ הַכְּלָבִ֖ים אֶת־בְּשַׂ֥ר אִיזָֽבֶל׃

37 ׳וְהָיָת׳ ״וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה״ נִבְלַ֣ת אִיזֶ֗בֶל כְּדֹ֛מֶן עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה בְּחֵ֣לֶק יִזְרְעֶ֑אל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־יֹאמְר֖וּ זֹ֥את אִיזָֽבֶל׃ פ

And Elisha the prophet hath called to one of the sons of the prophets, and saith to him, `Gird up thy loins, and take this vial of oil in thy hand, and go to Ramoth-Gilead,

and thou hast gone in there, and see thou there Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi, and thou hast gone in, and caused him to rise out of the midst of his brethren, and brought him in to the inner part of an inner-chamber,

and taken the vial of oil, and poured on his head, and said, Thus said Jehovah, I have anointed thee for king unto Israel; and thou hast opened the door, and fled, and dost not wait.'

And the young man goeth -- the young man the prophet -- to Ramoth-Gilead,

and cometh in, and lo, chiefs of the force are sitting, and he saith, `I have a word unto thee, O chief!' and Jehu saith, `Unto which of all of us?' and he saith, `Unto thee, O chief.'

And he riseth and cometh in to the house, and he poureth the oil on his head, and saith to him, `Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, I have anointed thee for king unto the people of Jehovah, unto Israel,

and thou hast smitten the house of Ahab thy lord, and I have required the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah, from the hand of Jezebel;

and perished hath all the house of Ahab, and I have cut off to Ahab those sitting on the wall, and restrained, and left, in Israel,

and I have given up the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and as the house of Baasha son of Ahijah,

10 and Jezebel do the dogs eat in the portion of Jezreel, and there is none burying;' and he openeth the door and fleeth.

11 And Jehu hath gone out unto the servants of his lord, and [one] saith to him, `Is there peace? wherefore came this madman unto thee?' and he saith unto them, `Ye have known the man and his talk.'

12 And they say, `False, declare, we pray thee, to us;' and he saith, `Thus and thus spake he unto me, saying, Thus said Jehovah, I have anointed thee for king unto Israel.'

13 And they haste and take each his garment, and put [it] under him at the top of the stairs, and blow with a trumpet, and say, `Reigned hath Jehu!'

14 And Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi, conspireth against Joram -- (and Joram was keeping in Ramoth-Gilead, he and all Israel, from the presence of Hazael king of Aram,

15 and king Joram turneth back to be healed in Jezreel, of the wounds with which the Aramaeans smite him, in his fighting with Hazael king of Aram) -- and Jehu saith, `If it is your mind, let not an escaped one go out from the city, to go to declare [it] in Jezreel.'

16 And Jehu rideth, and goeth to Jezreel, for Joram is lying there, and Ahaziah king of Judah hath gone down to see Joram.

17 And the watchman is standing on the tower in Jezreel, and seeth the company of Jehu in his coming, and saith, `A company I see;' and Joram saith, `Take a rider and send to meet them, and let him say, Is there peace?'

18 and the rider on the horse goeth to meet him, and saith, `Thus said the king, Is there peace?' and Jehu saith, `What -- to thee and to peace? turn round behind me.' And the watchman declareth, saying, `The messenger came unto them, and he hath not returned.'

19 And he sendeth a second rider on a horse, and he cometh in unto them, and saith, `Thus said the king, Is there peace?' and Jehu saith, `What -- to thee and to peace? turn round behind me.'

20 And the watchman declareth, saying, `He came unto them, and he hath not returned, and the driving [is] like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi, for with madness he driveth.'

21 And Jehoram saith, `Harness;' and his chariot is harnessed, and Jehoram king of Israel goeth out, and Ahaziah king of Judah, each in his chariot, and they go out to meet Jehu, and find him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.

22 And it cometh to pass, at Jehoram's seeing Jehu, that he saith, `Is there peace, Jehu?' and he saith, `What [is] the peace, while the whoredoms of Jezebel thy mother, and her witchcrafts, are many?'

23 And Jehoram turneth his hands, and fleeth, and saith unto Ahaziah, `Deceit, O Ahaziah!'

24 And Jehu hath filled his hand with a bow, and smiteth Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow goeth out from his heart, and he boweth down in his chariot.

25 And [Jehu] saith unto Bidkar his captain, `Lift up, cast him into the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite -- for, remember, I and thou were riding together after Ahab his father, and Jehovah lifted upon him this burden:

26 Have I not the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons seen yesternight -- the affirmation of Jehovah -- yea, I have recompensed to thee in this portion -- the affirmation of Jehovah; -- and now, lift up, cast him into the portion, according to the word of Jehovah.'

27 And Ahaziah king of Judah hath seen, and fleeth the way of the garden-house, and Jehu pursueth after him, and saith, `Smite him -- also him -- in the chariot,' in the going up to Gur, that [is] Ibleam, and he fleeth to Megiddo, and dieth there,

28 and his servants carry him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and bury him in his burying-place, with his fathers, in the city of David.

29 And in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab reign did Ahaziah over Judah.

30 And Jehu cometh in to Jezreel, and Jezebel hath heard, and putteth her eyes in paint and maketh right her head, and looketh out through the window.

31 And Jehu hath come into the gate, and she saith, `Was there peace [to] Zimri -- slayer of his lord?'

32 And he lifteth up his face unto the window, and saith, `Who [is] with me? -- who?' and look out unto him do two [or] three eunuchs;

33 And he saith, `Let her go;' and they let her go, and [some] of her blood is sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses, and he treadeth her down.

34 And he cometh in, and eateth, and drinketh, and saith, `Look after, I pray you, this cursed one, and bury her, for she [is] a king's daughter.'

35 And they go to bury her, and have not found of her except the skull, and the feet, and the palms of the hands.

36 And they turn back, and declare to him, and he saith, `The word of Jehovah it [is], that He spake by the hand of this servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel do the dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel,

37 and the carcase of Jezebel hath been as dung on the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel, that they say not, This [is] Jezebel.'

Jehu Reigns over Israel

Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of (A)the sons of the prophets and said to him, “[a](B)Get ready and (C)take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to (D)Ramoth-gilead. When you arrive there, then look there for (E)Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in and (F)have him get up from among his brothers, and bring him to an inner room. Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head, and say, ‘This is what the Lord says: “(G)I have anointed you king over Israel.”’ Then open the door and flee, and do not wait.”

So (H)the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. When he arrived, behold, the commanders of the army were sitting, and he said, “I have a word for you, commander.” And Jehu said, “[b]For which one of us?” And he said, “For you, commander.” He then got up and went into the house, and the prophet’s servant poured the oil on his head and said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘(I)I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel. And you shall strike the house of Ahab your master, (J)so that I may avenge (K)the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, (L)at the hand of Jezebel. For the entire house of Ahab shall perish, and (M)I will eliminate from Ahab (N)every male person (O)both [c]slave and free in Israel. (P)I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and (Q)like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. 10 (R)The dogs will eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’” Then he opened the door and fled.

11 Now Jehu went out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, “(S)Is everything well? Why did this (T)crazy fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know very well the man and his talk.” 12 And they said, “It is a lie; tell us now.” And he said, “Such and such he said to me, saying, ‘This is what the Lord says: “I have anointed you king over Israel.”’” 13 Then (U)they hurried, and each man took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and (V)blew the trumpet, saying, “Jehu is king!”

Jehu Assassinates Jehoram (Joram)

14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (W)Now Joram [d]with all Israel was [e]defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram, 15 but (X)King [f]Joram had returned to Jezreel to have himself healed of the wounds which the Arameans had [g]inflicted on him when he fought Hazael king of Aram. So Jehu said to the other men, “If this is your [h]intent, then let no [i]one escape from the city to go tell about it in Jezreel.” 16 Then Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel, since Joram was lying there recovering. (Y)And Ahaziah the king of Judah had come down to see Joram.

17 Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and he saw the [j]company of Jehu as he came, and he said, “I see a [k]company.” And [l]Joram said, “Take a horseman and send him to meet them and have him [m]ask, ‘Is your intention peace?’” 18 So a horseman went to meet him and said, “This is what the king says: ‘Is your intention peace?’” But Jehu said, “[n](Z)How is peace any business of yours? Turn and follow me.” And the watchman [o]reported, “The messenger came to them, but he did not return.” 19 Then he sent a second horseman, and he came to them and said, “This is what the king says: ‘Is your intention peace?’” And Jehu [p]answered, “[q]How is peace any business of yours? Turn and follow me.” 20 And the watchman [r]reported, “He came up to them, but he did not return; and (AA)the [s]driving is like the driving of (AB)Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously.”

21 Then [t]Joram said, “[u]Get ready.” And they [v]made his chariot ready. (AC)Then [w]Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out to meet Jehu and found him on the [x](AD)property of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 When [y]Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is your intention peace, Jehu?” And he [z]answered, “What ‘peace,’ (AE)so long as your mother Jezebel’s acts of prostitution and witchcraft are so many?” 23 So [aa]Joram [ab]turned back and fled, and he said to Ahaziah, “(AF)There is treachery, Ahaziah!” 24 Then (AG)Jehu [ac]drew his bow with his full strength and [ad]shot [ae]Joram between his arms; and the arrow went [af]through his heart, and he sank in his chariot. 25 And Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, “Pick him up and (AH)throw him on the [ag]property of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember, when [ah]you and I were riding together after his father Ahab, that the (AI)Lord brought this (AJ)pronouncement against him: 26 (AK)I have certainly seen yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,’ declares the Lord, ‘and (AL)I will repay you on this [ai]property,’ declares the Lord. Now then, pick him up and throw him on the [aj]property, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”

Jehu Assassinates Ahaziah

27 (AM)When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by way of the garden house. But Jehu pursued him and said, “[ak]Shoot him too, in the chariot.” So they shot him at the ascent of Gur, which is at (AN)Ibleam. But he fled to Megiddo and died there. 28 (AO)Then his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his grave with his fathers in the city of David.

29 Now in (AP)the eleventh year of Joram, the son of Ahab, Ahaziah became king over Judah.

30 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, and (AQ)she put makeup on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked down through the window. 31 As Jehu entered the gate, she said, “(AR)Is your intention peace, Zimri, his master’s murderer?” 32 Then he raised his face toward the window and said, “Who is with me, who?” And two or three officials looked down at him.

Jezebel Is Killed

33 Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her underfoot. 34 When he came in, he ate and drank; and he said, “See now to (AS)this cursed woman and bury her, for (AT)she is a king’s daughter.” 35 So they went to bury her, but they found nothing of her except the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands. 36 Therefore they returned and informed him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘(AU)On the [al]property of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; 37 and (AV)the corpse of Jezebel will be like dung on the face of the field in the [am]property of Jezreel, so they cannot say, “This is Jezebel.”’”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 9:1 Lit Belt up your waist
  2. 2 Kings 9:5 Lit To whom of us all?
  3. 2 Kings 9:8 Or child and adult
  4. 2 Kings 9:14 Lit he and
  5. 2 Kings 9:14 Lit protecting
  6. 2 Kings 9:15 Heb Jehoram
  7. 2 Kings 9:15 Lit struck
  8. 2 Kings 9:15 Lit soul
  9. 2 Kings 9:15 Lit escapee leave
  10. 2 Kings 9:17 Lit crowd
  11. 2 Kings 9:17 Lit crowd
  12. 2 Kings 9:17 Heb Jehoram
  13. 2 Kings 9:17 Lit say
  14. 2 Kings 9:18 Lit What to you and to peace
  15. 2 Kings 9:18 Lit reported, saying
  16. 2 Kings 9:19 Lit said
  17. 2 Kings 9:19 See note 1 v 18
  18. 2 Kings 9:20 Lit reported, saying
  19. 2 Kings 9:20 I.e., of the chariot
  20. 2 Kings 9:21 Heb Jehoram
  21. 2 Kings 9:21 Lit Harness the chariot
  22. 2 Kings 9:21 Lit harnessed
  23. 2 Kings 9:21 Heb Jehoram
  24. 2 Kings 9:21 Lit portion
  25. 2 Kings 9:22 Heb Jehoram
  26. 2 Kings 9:22 Lit said
  27. 2 Kings 9:23 Heb Jehoram
  28. 2 Kings 9:23 Lit turned his hands
  29. 2 Kings 9:24 Lit filled his hand with the bow
  30. 2 Kings 9:24 Lit struck
  31. 2 Kings 9:24 Heb Jehoram
  32. 2 Kings 9:24 Lit out from
  33. 2 Kings 9:25 Lit portion
  34. 2 Kings 9:25 Lit I and you
  35. 2 Kings 9:26 Lit portion
  36. 2 Kings 9:26 Lit portion
  37. 2 Kings 9:27 Lit strike
  38. 2 Kings 9:36 Lit portion
  39. 2 Kings 9:37 Lit portion