New King James Version
2 Kings 9:20
20So 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!”
2 Kings 9:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
- New International Version (NIV)The lookout reported, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
- New Living Translation (NLT)The watchman exclaimed, “The messenger has met them, but he isn’t returning either! It must be Jehu son of Nimshi, for he’s driving like a madman.”
Context of 2 Kings 9:20
18So 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? Turn around and follow me.” So the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger went to them, but is not coming back.” 19Then 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.” 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!” 21Then Joram said, “Make ready.” And his chariot was made ready. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot; and they went out to meet Jehu, and met him on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22Now 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?”
Read all of 2 Kings 92 Kings 9:20 word by word
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד הַצֹּפֶה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֥א עַד־אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וְלֹֽא־שָׁ֑ב וְהַמִּנְהָ֗ג כְּמִנְהַג֙ יֵה֣וּא בֶן־נִמְשִׁ֔י כִּ֥י בְשִׁגָּע֖וֹן יִנְהָֽג׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And the watchmanצָפָהtsâphâh · to watchH6822
- toldנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
- sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- He cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- even unto them, and cometh not againשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
- and the drivingמִנְהָגminhâg · drivingH4491
- of Jehuיֵהוּאyêhû' · JehuH3058
- the sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- of Nimshiנִמְשִׁיnimshîy · NimshiH5250
- for he drivethנָהַגnâhag · to leadH5090
- furiouslyשִׁגָּעוֹןshiggâ‛ôn · madnessH7697
Cross-references for 2 Kings 9:20
- Habakkuk 1:6For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.
- Habakkuk 3:12You marched through the land in indignation; You trampled the nations in anger.
- 2 Kings 10:16Then he said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.” So they had him ride in his chariot.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
- Isaiah 54:16“Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy.
- Daniel 11:44But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.
Commentaries on 2 Kings 9:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20He driveth furiously - Jehu was a bold, daring, prompt, and precipitate general. In his various military operations he had established his character; and now it was almost proverbial.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20The driving furiously - The word translated “driving” means “leading” or “conducting” a band. The watchman observed that the “company” (or, multitude) was led forward madly, and associated this strange procedure with the known character of Jehu. It is curious that some versions, as well as Josephus, give an opposite sense: “he driveth quietly.” Jehu was properly “the grandson” of Nimshi, who was probably a more famous person than Jehoshaphat 2 Kings 9:2.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-29Verses 16-29 Jehu was a man of eager spirit. The wisdom of God is seen in the choice of those employed in his work. But it is not for any man's reputation to be known by his fury. He that has rule over his own spirit, is better than the mighty. Joram met Jehu in the portion of Naboth. The circumstances of events are sometimes ordered by Divine Providence to make the punishment answer to the sin, as face answers to face in a glass. The way of sin can never…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-37The writer summarizes Jehu's takeover, which started Israel's fourth dynasty, in four steps: Elisha sent a prophet to the army camp at Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu as Israel's next king (2 Kings 9:1–10). Jehu's soldiers learned about the prophet's visit and declared Jehu king (2 Kings 9:11–15). Both Joram and King Ahaziah of Judah were killed (2 Kings 9:16–29). Jezebel was killed (2 Kings 9:30–37).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2417-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or seven miles below it, in a narrow part of the plain; and when Jehu…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Kings 9:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Kings 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries