2 Kings 9:21-29 | The Way of Scripture

2 Kings 9:21-29

Why does the meeting take place on Naboth’s property?

Berean Standard Bible

21 “Harness!” Joram shouted, and they harnessed his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his own chariot, and met Jehu on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” 23 Joram turned around and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” 24 Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot. 25 And Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, “Pick him up and throw him into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember that when you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, the LORD lifted up this burden against him: 26 ‘As surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday, declares the LORD, so will I repay you on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.’ Now then, according to the word of the LORD, pick him up and throw him on the plot of ground.” 27 When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too!” So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and died there. 28 Then his servants carried him by chariot to Jerusalem and buried him with his fathers in his tomb in the City of David. 29 (In the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab, Ahaziah had become king over Judah.)

What is the context?

Joram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah meet Jehu on Naboth’s property. Jehu rejects the possibility of peace while Jezebel’s idolatry and witchcraft continue. Joram tries to flee, but Jehu shoots him through the heart.

Jehu orders Joram’s body thrown onto Naboth’s field, recalling a word of the Lord about the blood of Naboth and his sons. The place links the royal judgment with the earlier seizure of Naboth’s inheritance through false accusation and murder.

Ahaziah also flees, is pursued and wounded, and dies at Megiddo. His servants take his body to Jerusalem for burial. The two kings’ alliance brings them together into the crisis, though they remain rulers of distinct kingdoms.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley emphasizes the connection between the location of the judgment and the earlier wrong. 1 Kings 21 supplies the account of Naboth’s murder and Elijah’s warning. Wesley also proposes a reconstruction combining Ahaziah’s death notices; that proposal should not be inserted into Kings as though every stage were explicitly narrated here.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

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