2 Kings Chapter 9 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

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So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּתְקַשֵּׁ֗ר conspired H7194
וַיִּתְקַשֵּׁ֗ר conspired
Strong's: H7194
Word #: 1 of 20
to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)
יֵה֛וּא So Jehu H3058
יֵה֛וּא So Jehu
Strong's: H3058
Word #: 2 of 20
jehu, the name of five israelites
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֥ט of Jehoshaphat H3092
יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֥ט of Jehoshaphat
Strong's: H3092
Word #: 4 of 20
jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 5 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נִמְשִׁ֖י of Nimshi H5250
נִמְשִׁ֖י of Nimshi
Strong's: H5250
Word #: 6 of 20
nimshi, the (grand-)father of jehu
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to
וְיוֹרָם֩ Now Joram H3141
וְיוֹרָם֩ Now Joram
Strong's: H3141
Word #: 8 of 20
joram, the name of three israelites and one syrian
וְיוֹרָם֩ Now Joram H3141
וְיוֹרָם֩ Now Joram
Strong's: H3141
Word #: 9 of 20
joram, the name of three israelites and one syrian
הָיָ֨ה H1961
הָיָ֨ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 10 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שֹׁמֵ֜ר had kept H8104
שֹׁמֵ֜ר had kept
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 11 of 20
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
בְּרָמֹ֣ת Ramothgilead H7433
בְּרָמֹ֣ת Ramothgilead
Strong's: H7433
Word #: 12 of 20
ramoth-gilad, a place east of the jordan
גִּלְעָ֗ד H1568
גִּלְעָ֗ד
Strong's: H1568
Word #: 13 of 20
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
ה֚וּא H1931
ה֚וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 14 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 15 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל he and all Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל he and all Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 16 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִפְּנֵ֥י because H6440
מִפְּנֵ֥י because
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 17 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
חֲזָאֵ֖ל of Hazael H2371
חֲזָאֵ֖ל of Hazael
Strong's: H2371
Word #: 18 of 20
chazael, a king of syria
מֶֽלֶךְ king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 19 of 20
a king
אֲרָֽם׃ of Syria H758
אֲרָֽם׃ of Syria
Strong's: H758
Word #: 20 of 20
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

Analysis & Commentary

So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 9: Divine judgment executed on Ahab's house. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 9 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Violent Revolution) reflects the historical reality of violent political revolution motivated by zeal for Yahweh but lacking genuine heart transformation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection