2 Kings 9:18
New International Version
The horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king says: ‘Do you come in peace?’” “What do you have to do with peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” The lookout reported, “The messenger has reached them, but he isn’t coming back.”

New Living Translation
So a horseman went out to meet Jehu and said, “The king wants to know if you are coming in peace.” Jehu replied, “What do you know about peace? Fall in behind me!” The watchman called out to the king, “The messenger has met them, but he’s not returning.”

English Standard Version
So a man on horseback went to meet him and said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu said, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.” And the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.”

Berean Standard Bible
So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’ ” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.”

King James Bible
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again.

New King James Version
So the horseman went to meet him, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.” So the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger went to them, but is not coming back.”

New American Standard Bible
So a horseman went to meet him and said, “This is what the king says: ‘Is your intention peace?’” But Jehu said, “How is peace any business of yours? Turn and follow me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger came to them, but he did not return.”

NASB 1995
So a horseman went to meet him and said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger came to them, but he did not return.”

NASB 1977
So a horseman went to meet him and said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger came to them, but he did not return.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So a horseman went to meet him and said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me.” And the watchman declared saying, “The messenger came to them, but he did not return.”

Amplified Bible
So the horseman went to meet him and said, “Thus says the king: ‘Do you come in peace?’” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Rein in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger approached them, but he has not returned.”

Christian Standard Bible
So a horseman went to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Do you come in peace? ’ ” Jehu replied, “What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me.” The watchman reported, “The messenger reached them but hasn’t started back.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So a horseman went to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Do you come in peace?” Jehu replied, “What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me.” The watchman reported, “The messenger reached them but hasn’t started back.”

American Standard Version
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not back.

Contemporary English Version
One of the soldiers rode out and said to Jehu, "King Joram wants to know if this is a friendly visit." "What's it to you?" Jehu asked. "Just stay behind me with the rest of my troops!" About the same time the guard in the watchtower said, "Your Majesty, the rider got there, but he isn't coming back."

English Revised Version
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So a chariot driver rode off, met Jehu, and said, "The king asks, 'Is everything alright?' " Jehu replied, "Why should that matter to you? Follow me." So the watchman announced, "The messenger you sent has reached them, but he isn't coming back."

Good News Translation
The messenger rode out to Jehu and said to him, "The king wants to know if you come as a friend." "That's none of your business!" Jehu answered. "Fall in behind me." The guard on the watchtower reported that the messenger had reached the group but was not returning.

International Standard Version
So a horseman went out, greeted Jehu and said, "This is what the king said: 'Have you come in peace?'" But Jehu responded, "What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me." The watchman reported, "The messenger arrived there, but he hasn't returned."

Majority Standard Bible
So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.”

NET Bible
So the horseman went to meet him and said, "This is what the king says, 'Is everything all right?'" Jehu replied, "None of your business! Follow me." The watchman reported, "The messenger reached them, but hasn't started back."

New Heart English Bible
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, "Thus says the king, 'Is it peace?'" Jehu said, "What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me." The watchman said, "The messenger came to them, but he isn't coming back."

Webster's Bible Translation
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he doth not return.

World English Bible
So one went on horseback to meet him, and said, “the king says, ‘Is it peace?’” Jehu said, “What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me!” The watchman said, “The messenger came to them, but he isn’t coming back.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the rider on the horse goes to meet him and says, “Thus said the king: Is there peace?” And Jehu says, “And what is peace to you? Turn around behind me.” And the watchman declares, saying, “The messenger came to them, and he has not returned.”

Young's Literal Translation
and the rider on the horse goeth to meet him, and saith, 'Thus said the king, Is there peace?' and Jehu saith, 'What -- to thee and to peace? turn round behind me.' And the watchman declareth, saying, 'The messenger came unto them, and he hath not returned.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And a horseman of the horse will go to meet him, and he will say, Thus said the king, Is it peace? And Jehu will say, What to thee and to peace? turn behind me. And he watching will announce, saying, The messenger went even to them and turned not back.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So there went one in a chariot to meet him, and said : Thus saith the king: Are all things peaceable? And Jehu said: What hast thou to do with peace? go behind and follow me. And the watchman told, saying: The messenger came to them, but he returneth not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, he who had climbed into the chariot went away to meet him, and he said, “The king says this: ‘Is everything peaceful?’ ” And Jehu said: “What peace is there for you? Pass by and follow me.” Also the watchman gave a report, saying, “The messenger went to them, but he did not return.”

New American Bible
So a horseman went out to meet him and said, “The king asks, ‘Is everything all right?’ ” Jehu said, “What does it matter to you how things are? Get behind me.” The watchman reported to the king, “The messenger has reached them, but is not returning.”

New Revised Standard Version
So the horseman went to meet him; he said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?’” Jehu responded, “What have you to do with peace? Fall in behind me.” The sentinel reported, saying, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So there went a horseman to meet him and said to him, Thus says the king: Is it peace? And Jehu said. What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he did not return.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a rider of a horse went to meet him and said to him: “Thus says the King: peace!” And Yahu said: “What do you have to do with peace? Turn behind me!” And the Watchman told and said: “The Messenger arrived unto them and he has not returned!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said: 'Thus saith the king: Is it peace?' And Jehu said: 'What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.' And the watchman told, saying: 'The messenger came to them, but he cometh not back.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there went a horseman to meet them, and said, Thus says the king, Peace. And Ju said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn behind me. And the watchman reported, saying, The messenger came up to them, and has not returned.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehu Kills Joram and Ahaziah
17Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’ ” 18So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” 19So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’ ” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 18:44-46
On the seventh time the servant reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” And Elijah replied, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” / Meanwhile, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain began to fall. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. / And the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah, and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

1 Kings 20:35-43
Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him. / Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. / Then the prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please!” So the man struck him and wounded him, ...

2 Kings 1:9-15
Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...

2 Kings 3:11-15
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” / Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. / Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” ...

2 Kings 5:9-14
So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. / Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” / But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy. ...

2 Kings 6:32-33
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” / While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

2 Kings 7:12-15
So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’” / But one of his servants replied, “Please, have scouts take five of the horses that remain in the city. Their plight will be no worse than all the Israelites who are left here. You can see that all the Israelites here are doomed. So let us send them and find out.” / Then the scouts took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.” ...

2 Kings 8:28-29
Then Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, and the Arameans wounded Joram. / So King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded.

2 Samuel 18:19-33
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.” / But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.” / So Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running. ...

Isaiah 21:6-9
For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. / When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.” / Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post. ...

Jeremiah 51:12
Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.

Ezekiel 33:2-6
“Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land choose a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman, / and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram’s horn to warn the people. / Then if anyone hears the sound of the horn but fails to heed the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. ...

Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

Mark 13:34-37
It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. / Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. / Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. ...

Luke 12:35-40
Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. / Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. / Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. ...


Treasury of Scripture

So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus said the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What have you to do with peace? turn you behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he comes not again.

What hast thou to do

2 Kings 9:19,22
Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me…

Isaiah 48:22
There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

Isaiah 59:8
The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

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Fall Horseback Horseman It Jehu Meet Messenger Peace Reached Reported Ride Rode Round Turn Watchman
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Fall Horseback Horseman It Jehu Meet Messenger Peace Reached Reported Ride Rode Round Turn Watchman
2 Kings 9
1. Elisha sends a young prophet with instructions to anoint Jehu at Ramoth Gilead
4. The prophet having done his message, flees
11. Jehu, being made king by the soldiers, kills Joram in the field of Naboth
27. Ahaziah is slain at Gur, and buried at Jerusalem
30. Proud Jezebel is thrown down out of a window, and eaten by dogs.














So the horseman rode out
The phrase "the horseman rode out" indicates a messenger or scout sent by the king. In ancient Israel, horsemen were often used for swift communication and reconnaissance. The Hebrew root for "rode" (רכב, "rakav") implies a sense of urgency and purpose. This reflects the tension and anticipation in the narrative, as Jehu's approach is significant and potentially threatening.

to meet Jehu
Jehu, the central figure in this passage, was anointed by a prophet to become king of Israel (2 Kings 9:1-13). His name in Hebrew (יהוא, "Yehu") means "Yahweh is He," signifying his divine appointment and mission. Meeting Jehu is not just a physical encounter but a confrontation with God's chosen instrument of judgment against the house of Ahab.

and said, 'This is what the king asks
The horseman acts as a representative of the king, conveying the king's authority and concern. The phrase "This is what the king asks" underscores the king's desire to maintain control and understand Jehu's intentions. In the historical context, kings often sent envoys to assess potential threats or allies.

‘Have you come in peace?’
The question "Have you come in peace?" (Hebrew: הֲשָׁלוֹם, "hashalom") is a common greeting in the ancient Near East, but here it carries a deeper significance. Peace (שָׁלוֹם, "shalom") implies not just the absence of conflict but also wholeness and harmony. The king seeks to discern whether Jehu's approach is friendly or hostile, reflecting the political instability of the time.

Jehu replied, 'What do you have to do with peace?
Jehu's response, "What do you have to do with peace?" is a rhetorical question that dismisses the horseman's inquiry. It suggests that the current regime, represented by the horseman, has no claim to true peace. Jehu's mission is divinely ordained to bring judgment, not peace, to the house of Ahab.

Fall in behind me.'
The command "Fall in behind me" (Hebrew: סֹב אֶל־אַחֲרָי, "sov el-acharai") is an invitation to join Jehu's cause. It implies a choice between allegiance to the current king or to God's anointed. Historically, this reflects the practice of rallying support for a new leader, often seen in military or political coups. Jehu's assertive leadership and divine mandate compel others to follow him.

(18) One on horseback.--Literally, the rider of the horse.

What hast thou to do with peace?--A rough evasion: "What business is it of yours, on what ground I am come?" Conscious of his strength, Jehu can despise the royal message, and the messenger durst not disobey the fierce general, when ordered summarily to the rear. Of course Jehu wished to prevent an alarm being raised in Jezreel.

Came to them.--Literally, came right up to them. (The Hebrew text should be corrected from 2Kings 9:20.)

Verse 18. - So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace! turn thee behind me. Jehu chooses to accept the messenger's words as if they were his own, and not those of the king. "What does it matter to such a one as thee, a mere common man, whether my tidings are peaceful or the contrary? I shall not tell thee my errand. Turn and follow in my train." The messenger had no choice but to obey. An attempt at flight would have led to his being seized or slain. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again. The watchman evidently thought his not returning suspicious, and reported it at once. Joram should now have taken alarm, but he did not. He appears to have had no notion that any danger could be approaching.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So a horseman
רֹכֵ֨ב (rō·ḵêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

rode off
וַיֵּלֶךְ֩ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to meet Jehu
לִקְרָאת֗וֹ (liq·rā·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

and said,
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

asks:
אָמַ֤ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Have you come in peace?’”
הֲשָׁל֔וֹם (hă·šā·lō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

“What
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

do you
לְּךָ֥ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

know about peace?”
וּלְשָׁל֖וֹם (ū·lə·šā·lō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

Jehu
יֵה֛וּא (yê·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3058: Jehu -- 'the LORD is He', the name of several Israelites

replied.
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Fall in
סֹ֣ב (sōḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

behind me.”
אַחֲרָ֑י (’a·ḥă·rāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

And the watchman
הַצֹּפֶה֙ (haṣ·ṣō·p̄eh)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await

reported,
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד (way·yag·gêḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

“The messenger
הַמַּלְאָ֥ךְ (ham·mal·’āḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

reached
בָּֽא־ (bā-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

them,
הֵ֖ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

but he is not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

coming back.”
שָֽׁב׃ (šāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again


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OT History: 2 Kings 9:18 So there went one on horseback (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 9:17
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