Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 9
It was one of Jezreel’s city guards who brought King Joram the first report of possible trouble. He saw a group of men, with horses and chariots, in the distance. He thought that it looked like part of an army.
It was very unusual that such a group of men would approach Jezreel. Chariots were military vehicles, and Israel’s people only usually used horses for military purposes. However, Joram was resting after he suffered an injury in battle. His relative, King Ahaziah of Judah, had just come to visit him with such a group of men (9:21). So, Joram hoped that this might, perhaps, be another friendly royal visit. He certainly did not expect that his soldiers would come from Ramoth-Gilead. He had ordered Jehu, who was in charge of his army, to remain there with his men. They needed to defend the city because Hazael, the king of Aram, might try to attack it again.
Joram sent a man to ride out quickly on his horse to the group of men. That man must ask them whether they had come for a friendly, peaceful reason. Then, he should quickly ride back to tell Joram that all was well.
The man rode out, but he did not return. It probably surprised him to see that Jehu, the commander of Israel’s army, was leading these men. He asked his question, but in reply, Jehu accused him. Nobody who was supporting Joram, would bring peace to Israel. That seems to be the meaning of Jehu’s words.
It worried Joram that the man did not return. So he sent a second man, and the same thing happened.
Next part: Joram goes to meet Jehu (2 Kings 9:20-21)
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