Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 9
Israel’s military commanders sometimes argued fiercely with the kings whom they served (for example, 2 Samuel 19:5-7; 1 Chronicles 21:3-6). They were extremely powerful men, who demanded the king’s attention. Sometimes, the king had to force them to obey him by means of even more powerful arguments (for example, 1 Samuel 22:7-8).
We are sure that Joram and Jehu had argued before, perhaps about this same subject. That may be why Joram removed the sacred stone at the temple (sacred building) of Baal (3:2). However, Joram realised that no argument would persuade Jehu now. It was clear to Joram that Jehu intended to kill him.
Joram tried to escape. At the same time, he shouted to warn Ahaziah, his sister’s son, who was the king of Judah. Joram could see that Ahaziah’s life was in danger, too. Of course, Ahaziah was not responsible for Joram’s acts. Rather, his life was in danger because God’s judgment was against their whole family (1 Kings 21:21-24). Joram seemed, therefore, to understand that God had appointed Jehu to carry out that judgment. If so, Joram was right: this was what God had told Jehu to do (9:7-8).
As Joram tried to escape, Jehu shot an arrow at him. The arrow hit Joram’s back, between the shoulders. It went through his body and into his heart. So, Joram died at once.
At last, the judgment that God had made against Ahab’s family, had begun. The first person who died was Joram, Ahab’s son, the king of northern and central Israel.
Next part: Jehu remembers Elijah's message against Ahab's family (2 Kings 9:25-26)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.
© 2025, Keith Simons.