2 Kings 10:4
New International Version
But they were terrified and said, “If two kings could not resist him, how can we?”

New Living Translation
But they were paralyzed with fear and said, “We’ve seen that two kings couldn’t stand against this man! What can we do?”

English Standard Version
But they were exceedingly afraid and said, “Behold, the two kings could not stand before him. How then can we stand?”

Berean Standard Bible
But they were terrified and reasoned, “If two kings could not stand against him, how can we?”

King James Bible
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

New King James Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, “Look, two kings could not stand up to him; how then can we stand?”

New American Standard Bible
But they feared greatly and said, “Behold, the two kings did not stand firm before him; how then can we stand?”

NASB 1995
But they feared greatly and said, “Behold, the two kings did not stand before him; how then can we stand?”

NASB 1977
But they feared greatly and said, “Behold, the two kings did not stand before him; how then can we stand?”

Legacy Standard Bible
But they feared exceedingly greatly and said, “Behold, the two kings did not stand before him; how then can we stand?”

Amplified Bible
But they were extremely afraid and said, “Look, the two kings did not stand before Jehu; so how can we stand?”

Christian Standard Bible
However, they were terrified and reasoned, “Look, two kings couldn’t stand against him; how can we? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, they were terrified and reasoned, “Look, two kings couldn’t stand against him; how can we?”

American Standard Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, the two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

Contemporary English Version
The officials and leaders read the letters and were very frightened. They said to each other, "Jehu has already killed King Joram and King Ahaziah! We have to do what he says."

English Revised Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, the two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But they panicked. They said, "If two kings couldn't stand up to him, how can we stand up to him?"

Good News Translation
The rulers of Samaria were terrified. "How can we oppose Jehu," they said, "when neither King Joram nor King Ahaziah could?"

International Standard Version
But they were too terrified, and so they told one another, "Look! Two previous kings couldn't stand up to Jehu, so how can we?"

Majority Standard Bible
But they were terrified and reasoned, ?If two kings could not stand against him, how can we??

NET Bible
They were absolutely terrified and said, "Look, two kings could not stop him! How can we?"

New Heart English Bible
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, "Look, the two kings did not stand before him. How then shall we stand?"

Webster's Bible Translation
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

World English Bible
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, “Behold, the two kings didn’t stand before him! How then shall we stand?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they fear very greatly, and say, “Behold, the two kings have not stood before him, and how do we stand—we?”

Young's Literal Translation
And they fear very greatly, and say, 'Lo, the two kings have not stood before him, and how do we stand -- we?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will fear greatly, greatly, and say, Behold, two kings stood not before him, and how shall we stand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said: Behold two kings could not stand before him, and how shall we be able to resist?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But they were vehemently afraid, and they said: “Behold, two kings were not able to stand before him. So how will we be able to withstand him?”

New American Bible
They were overcome with fright and said, “If the two kings could not withstand him, how can we?”

New Revised Standard Version
But they were utterly terrified and said, “Look, two kings could not withstand him; how then can we stand?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But when they heard the letter, they were exceedingly afraid and said, Behold, two kings could not stand before Jehu; how then shall we stand before him?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they were very afraid when they heard, and they said: “Behold, two Kings have not stood before him! How shall we stand before him?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said: 'Behold, the two kings stood not before him; how then shall we stand?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they feared greatly, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: and how shall we stand?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehu Slaughters Ahab's Family
3select the best and most worthy son of your master, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.” 4But they were terrified and reasoned, “If two kings could not stand against him, how can we?” 5So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 21:25-26
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel. / He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.)

2 Kings 9:7-10
And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel. / The whole house of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, both slave and free, in Israel. / I will make the house of Ahab like the houses of Jeroboam son of Nebat and Baasha son of Ahijah. ...

1 Kings 16:31-33
And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. / First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. / Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.

2 Kings 9:22
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?”

1 Kings 18:4
for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

2 Kings 9:30-37
Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. / And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?” / He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him. ...

1 Kings 19:17
Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.

2 Kings 11:1-3
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. / But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. / And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

1 Kings 21:20-24
When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD. / This is what the LORD says: ‘I will bring calamity on you and consume your descendants; I will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both slave and free. / I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked My anger and caused Israel to sin.’ ...

2 Kings 9:14-16
Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram, / but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.) So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.” / Then Jehu got into his chariot and went to Jezreel, because Joram was laid up there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to see him.

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Revelation 2:20-23
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. ...

Luke 11:51
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

Matthew 14:3-11
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, / because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” / Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet. ...

Mark 6:17-28
For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. / For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” / So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable, ...


Treasury of Scripture

But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

behold

2 Kings 9:24,27
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot…

how then shall

Isaiah 27:4
Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.

Jeremiah 49:19
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?

Nahum 1:6
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

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Afraid Exceedingly Fear Feared Full Greatly Kings Resist Stand Stood Terrified
2 Kings 10
1. Jehu, by his letters, causes seventy of Ahab's sons to be beheaded
8. He excuses the fact by the prophecy of Elijah
12. At the shearing house he slays forty-two of Ahaziah's brothers
15. He takes Jehonadab into his company
18. By subtilty he destroys all the worshippers of Baal
29. Jehu follows Jeroboam's sins
32. Hazael oppresses Israel
34. Jehoahaz succeeds Jehu














But they were terrified
The Hebrew root for "terrified" is "yare," which conveys a deep sense of fear and awe. This fear is not merely a reaction to physical danger but also an acknowledgment of divine judgment and power. In the context of 2 Kings, this terror reflects the recognition of Jehu's divinely appointed mission to eradicate the house of Ahab. Historically, the fear of God's judgment was a powerful motivator for the Israelites, reminding them of the consequences of idolatry and disobedience.

and said
The act of speaking here is significant. In the ancient Near Eastern context, spoken words held great power and authority. The leaders' verbal acknowledgment of their fear underscores their submission and the gravity of the situation. It reflects a moment of realization and confession, which is a recurring theme in the Bible, where acknowledgment of one's position before God leads to transformation or judgment.

'If two kings could not stand against him
This phrase highlights the futility of human power against God's chosen instrument. The reference to "two kings" likely points to Joram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah, both of whom were defeated by Jehu. The Hebrew word for "stand" is "amad," which implies not just physical standing but also maintaining one's position or authority. This historical context emphasizes the sovereignty of God in raising and deposing leaders according to His will, a theme prevalent throughout the books of Kings.

how can we?'
This rhetorical question underscores the inevitability of Jehu's success and the futility of resistance. It reflects a moment of humility and recognition of divine authority. The leaders' question is not just about military might but also about spiritual submission. In the broader biblical narrative, this echoes the call for individuals and nations to recognize their limitations and submit to God's sovereign plan. The phrase invites readers to reflect on their own lives, encouraging a posture of humility and trust in God's ultimate authority and justice.

(4) But they were exceedingly afraid.--Literally, And they feared mightily, mightily. (Comp. Genesis 7:19.)

Two kings.--Rather, the two kings. The word kings is emphatic.

Verse 4. - But they wore exceedingly afraid. They were men of peace, not men of war - accustomed to discharge the duties of judges and magistrates, not of commandants and generals. They could not count on the obedience even of the troops in Samaria, much less on that of any others who might be in garrison elsewhere. They would naturally have been afraid of taking up arms under almost any circumstances. What, however, caused them now such excessive fear was probably the tone which Jehu had adopted - his "scornful challenge," as it has been called. He evidently entertained no fear himself. He dared them to do that which he pretended to recommend them to do. They must have felt that he was laughing at them in his sleeve. And said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand? The kings intended are Joram and Ahaziah, who had confronted Jehu, and had met their deaths. What were they that they should succeed where "two kings" had failed? The argument was fallacious, and a mere cloak for cowardice. The two kings had been taken by surprise, and treacherously murdered. Their fate could prove nothing concerning the probable issue of a civil war, had the "princes" ventured to commence it. It must be admitted, however, that the chance of success was but slight.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But they were terrified
וַיִּֽרְאוּ֙ (way·yir·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

and reasoned,
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“If
הִנֵּה֙ (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

two
שְׁנֵ֣י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

kings
הַמְּלָכִ֔ים (ham·mə·lā·ḵîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

could not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

stand
עָמְד֖וּ (‘ā·mə·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

against him,
לְפָנָ֑יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

how
וְאֵ֖יךְ (wə·’êḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

can we?”
אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃ (’ă·nā·ḥə·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We


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OT History: 2 Kings 10:4 But they were exceedingly afraid and said (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 10:3
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