2 Kings 9:15

But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) If it be your minds.—Literally, if it be your soul; some MSS., “if it be with your soul,” as in Genesis 23:8. The Vulg. paraphrases correctly, si vobis placet.

Let none go forth.—Literally, let not a fugitive go forth. This proves that Ramoth was in the hands of the Israelite army. If they were besieging the city, as Josephus relates, Jehu’s command is unintelligible.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:11-15 Those who faithfully deliver the Lord's message to sinners, have in all ages been treated as madmen. Their judgment, speech, and conduct are contrary to those of other men; they endure much in pursuit of objects, and are influenced by motives, into which the others cannot enter. But above all, the charge is brought by the worldly and ungodly of all sorts, who are mad indeed; while the principles and practice of the devoted servants of God, prove to be wise and reasonable. Some faith in the word of God, seems to have animated Jehu to this undertaking.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Had kept - Rather, "was keeping watch." The city had been taken: but the war continuing, and there being a danger of the Syrians recovering it, Joram and all Israel (i. e., the whole military force) were guarding the recent conquest, while Hazael threatened it.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14, 15. Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead—rather, "was keeping," guarding, or besieging it, with the greater part of the military force of Israel. The king's wounds had compelled his retirement from the scene of action, and so the troops were left in command of Jehu.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

When he fought with Hazael; when he came with an army, either to retake the city taken by Joram, or to raise the siege. Out of the city; or, from the city; either from within the city, or from before it, from the siege or army.

To go to tell it in Jezreel; that we may surprise him, and so more easily subdue him.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But King Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel,.... As is recorded, 2 Kings 8:29 and here repeated for the reason above given:

and Jehu said, if it be your minds; to engage one and all, and heartily, in this conspiracy, and to make me king:

then let none go forth nor escape out of the city, to go to tell it in Jezreel; that so Joram might be surprised unawares, and have no opportunity either of fleeing or of preparing for his defence.

Geneva Study Bible

But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15. But king Joram was returned] Though he was at Jezreel professedly for the cure of his wounds, Joram was sufficiently recovered to be able to entertain Ahaziah, and also to go forth in his chariot to meet Jehu. If he stayed in his capital thus, while the army was in force at Ramoth-gilead and fully occupied with the Syrian foe, we can easily understand how the feelings of the soldiery would turn from him to the officers who remained with them, and especially to Jehu, who seems to have been the man of action among the number.

If it be your minds] R.V. If this be your mind. The LXX. renders ‘If your mind be with me’, which gives the sense, though there is nothing in the Hebrew to represent ‘with me’ any more than the ‘this’ of R.V. Jehu, as was fit until his throne was secure, takes counsel with his fellow-generals.

let none go forth nor escape] R.V. let none escape and go forth. The literal meaning of the Hebrew is ‘let no escaper go forth’. Hence the change in R.V. To secure this must be their care. Jehu himself with a faithful few will start at once to execute the judgement which has been laid upon him. His best chance of success is to take Joram by surprise.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - But King Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael King of Syria (see the comment on 2 Kings 8:29). And Jehu said, If it be your minds. As soon as he is proclaimed king, Jehu addresses himself to the captains, and proposes a policy. He does not venture to assume a tone of authority, or of imperative command, since he is still but a pretender, and not "established in the kingdom." "If it be your minds," he says; i.e. "If you agree with me, and have nothing to urge against my proposal. Then let none go forth nor escape from the city - literally, let no escaper go forth from the city - equivalent to let no one quit the city - to go to tell it in Jezreel. This is the important point. Secrecy was absolutely essential. If the revolt had got wind - and a single messenger might have carried the news - the whole attempt might have failed, or only have succeeded after a long and bloody civil war. All John's efforts were bent on keeping his revolt secret until he himself announced it to the astonished king (see ver. 22). 2 Kings 9:15

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Thus Jehu conspired against Joram, who (as is related again in the circumstantial clause which follows from היה ויורם to ארם מלך; cf. 2 Kings 8:28-29) had been keeping guard at Ramoth in Gilead, i.e., had defended this city against the attacks of Hazael, and had returned to Jezreel to be healed of the wounds which he had received; and said, "If it is your wish (נפשׁכם), let no fugitive go from the city, to announce it in Jezreel (viz., what had taken place, the conspiracy or the proclamation of Jehu as king)." It is evident from this, that the Israelites were in possession of the city of Ramoth, and were defending it against the attacks of the Syrians, so that שׁמר in 2 Kings 9:14 cannot be understood as relating to the siege of Ramoth. The Chethb לגּיד for להגּיד is not to be altered according to the Keri, as there are many examples to be found of syncope in cases of this kind (vid., Olshausen, Lehrb. d. Hebr. Spr. p. 140).