Keraia
2 Kings 9

2 Kings 9:27

Jehu Kills Joram and Ahaziah · 2 Kings 9:14–29
Read 2 Kings 9

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.
Literal
And Ahaziah king of Judah saw, and he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan, and Jehu pursued him and said, “Shoot him also.” So they shot Ahaziah in the chariot on the Ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there.
Latin
Ochozias autem rex Juda videns hoc, fugit per viam domus horti: persecutusque est eum Jehu, et ait: Etiam hunc percutite in curru suo. Et percusserunt eum in ascensu Gaver, qui est juxta Jeblaam: qui fugit in Mageddo, et mortuus est ibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

2 Kings 9:27–28

  • The road to Beth-haggan went south along the eastern edge of the Jezreel Valley, passing Ibleam and continuing to Samaria.

  • Megiddo … he died there: King Ahaziah fled to Samaria, where he was captured and taken to Jehu (2 Chronicles 22:8–9). Chronicles and Kings together suggest that although Ahaziah was wounded at Gur, he managed to reach Samaria. Later, Jehu’s men caught him and brought him to Jehu, where he was executed.

  • The writer of Chronicles links Ahaziah’s capture with Jehu’s killing of Ahab’s descendants and some of Ahaziah’s relatives (see 2 Kings 10:1–17), suggesting Ahaziah evaded capture for a while. This account is very brief, mentioning Ahaziah’s death and burial before describing later events.

2 Kings 9:1–37

The writer summarizes Jehu's takeover, which started Israel's fourth dynasty, in four steps:

  1. Elisha sent a prophet to the army camp at Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu as Israel's next king (2 Kings 9:1–10).

  2. Jehu's soldiers learned about the prophet's visit and declared Jehu king (2 Kings 9:11–15).

  3. Both Joram and King Ahaziah of Judah were killed (2 Kings 9:16–29).

  4. Jezebel was killed (2 Kings 9:30–37).

Theme notes and profiles

Jezebel

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 22:8–9

People

Ahaziah: King of Judah, son of Jehoram and Athaliah Jehu: Son of Jehoshaphat, king of Israel, destroyed Ahab's dynasty Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Beth-haggan: Place near Jezreel where Ahaziah fled from Jehu Gur: A place near Ibleam where Ahaziah was wounded Ibleam: A Levitical city in Issachar Megiddo: A strategic city in the Jezreel Valley

Glossary

Ahaziah Athaliah Beth-Haggan Black Obelisk Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Elisha Garden House Gur, Ascent of Ibleam Jehoram Jehu Jezebel Kings, Books of First and Second Megiddo, Megiddon

Topics

Ahaziah: King of Judah--Called Azariah and Jehoahaz: History of Beth-Haggan: A Garden House Decision: Jehu Elijah: Prophecies of The Destruction of Ahab and his House Gur: The Place where Jehu Killed Ahaziah Homicide: Felonious: Jehu Ibleam: A City of the Territory of the Tribe of Manasseh Jehu: Son of Nimshi, King of Israel: Religious Zeal of, in Killing Idolaters Jezreel: A City of the Tribe of Issachar: Jehu Kills King Ahab, his Wife, and Friends At Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Ahaziah Megiddo: Ahaziah Dies At Naboth: His Murder Avenged Prophecies Concerning Israel: Ahaziah Killed by Jehu Regicide of Ahaziah Usurpation of Political Functions by Jehu