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the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Easy-to-Read Version

2 Kings 9:17

A guard was standing on the tower in Jezreel. He saw Jehu's large group coming. He said, "I see a large group of people!" Joram said, "Send someone on a horse to meet them. Tell this messenger to ask if they come in peace."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ahaziah;   Church and State;   Conspiracy;   Decision;   Jehu;   Jezreel;   Joram;   Tower;   Usurpation;   Watchman;   Thompson Chain Reference - Towers;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Horse, the;   Kings;   Towers;   Watchmen;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Jezebel;   Jezreel;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ahaziah;   Jehoram;   Jehu;   Jezreel;   Phoenicia;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Jezebel;   Jezreel;   Jezreel, Tower of;   Watches;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Fenced Cities;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Kings, 1 and 2;   Watchman;   Watchtower;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Fortification and Siegecraft;   Government;   Jehu;   Prophecy, Prophets;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ahaziah ;   Jehu ;   Jezebel ;   Jezreel ;   Joram, Jehoram;   Tower;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Jehu;   Ramothgilead;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Jezreel;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Fenced Cities,;   Jo'ram;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Jehu;   War;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Company;   Jehoram;   Jezreel;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel. He saw Jehu’s mob approaching and shouted, “I see a mob!”
Hebrew Names Version
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Yizre`el, and he spied the company of Yehu as he came, and said, I see a company. Yoram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it shalom?
King James Version
And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
English Standard Version
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, "I see a company." And Joram said, "Take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, ‘Is it peace?'"
New Century Version
The lookout was standing on the watchtower in Jezreel when he saw Jehu's troops coming. He said, "I see some soldiers!" Joram said, "Take a horseman and send him to meet them. Tell him to ask, ‘Is all in order?'"
New English Translation
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and saw Jehu's troops approaching. He said, "I see troops!" Jehoram ordered, "Send a rider out to meet them and have him ask, ‘Is everything all right?'"
Amplified Bible
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and he saw the crowd with Jehu as he approached, and said, "I see a company." And Joram said, "Send a horseman to meet them and have him ask, 'Do you come in peace?'"
New American Standard Bible
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and he said, "I see a company." And Joram said, "Take a horseman and send him to meet them and have him ask, 'Is your intention peace?'"
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the watchman yt stoode in the towre in Izreel spyed the companie of Iehu as hee came, & sayd, I see a companie. And Iehoram said, Take a horseman and send to meete them, that hee may say, Is it peace?
Legacy Standard Bible
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and said, "I see a company." And Joram said, "Take a horseman and send him to meet them and let him say, ‘Is it peace?'"
Contemporary English Version
When the guard in the watchtower at Jezreel saw Jehu and his men riding up, he shouted to the king, "I see a bunch of men coming this way." Joram ordered, "Send someone out to ask them if this is a friendly visit."
Complete Jewish Bible
The lookout standing on the watchtower in Yizre‘el saw Yehu's troops approaching and said, "I see some troops coming." Yoram said, "Have a horseman go to meet him and ask, "Are you coming in peace?"
Darby Translation
And the watchman stood on the tower in Jizreel, and saw Jehu's company as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
George Lamsa Translation
And the watchman was standing on the tower of Jezreel, and he saw the chariot of Jehu as it was coming, and the watchman said, I see chariots. And Joram said, Take a chariot and send it to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
Good News Translation
A guard on duty in the watchtower at Jezreel saw Jehu and his men approaching. "I see some men riding up!" he called out. Joram replied, "Send a rider to find out if they are friends or enemies."
Lexham English Bible
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu when he came, and he said, "I see a company." Joram said, "Take a horseman and send him to meet them." And he said, "Is it peace?"
Literal Translation
And the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel. And he saw the troop of Jehu as he came. And he said, I see a troop. And Jehoram said, Take a rider, and send to meet them, and let him say, Peace?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But the watchman that stode vpon the tower at Iesrael, sawe the company of Iehu commynge, and sayde: I se a company. Then sayde Ioram: Take a charet, and sende to mete the, and saye: Is it peace?
American Standard Version
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
Bible in Basic English
And the watchman on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu and his band coming, and said, I see a band of people. And Joram said, Send out a horseman to them, and let him say, Is it peace?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the watchman that stoode on the towre in Iezrahel, spied the companie of Iehu as he came, and sayde: I see a companie. And Ioram sayde: Take an horsman, and send to meete them, that he may aske whether it be peace.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Now the watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said: 'I see a company.' And Joram said: 'Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say: Is it peace?'
King James Version (1611)
And there stood a watchman on the towre in Iezreel, and hee spied the company of Iehu as he came, and said, I see a companie. And Ioram sayd, Take an horseman, and send to meete them, and let him say, Is it peace?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And there went up a watchman upon the tower of Jezrael, and saw the dust made by Ju as he approached; and he said, I see dust. And Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Peace.
English Revised Version
Now the watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
Berean Standard Bible
Now 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?'"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor a spiere, that stood aboue a tour of Jezrael, siy the multitude of Hieu comynge, and he seide, Y se a multitude. And Joram seide, Take thou a chare, and sende in to the metyng of hem; and seie the goere, Whether alle thingis ben riytfuli?
Young's Literal Translation
And the watchman is standing on the tower in Jezreel, and seeth the company of Jehu in his coming, and saith, `A company I see;' and Joram saith, `Take a rider and send to meet them, and let him say, Is there peace?'
Update Bible Version
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
Webster's Bible Translation
And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, [Is it] peace?
World English Bible
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
New King James Version
Now a watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and said, "I see a company of men." And Joram said, "Get a horseman and send him to meet them, and let him say, "Is it peace?"'
New Living Translation
The watchman on the tower of Jezreel saw Jehu and his company approaching, so he shouted to Joram, "I see a company of troops coming!" "Send out a rider to ask if they are coming in peace," King Joram ordered.
New Life Bible
Now the man who watched for danger was standing in the tower in Jezreel. He saw the group of Jehu's men coming, and said, "I see a group of men coming." Joram said, "Send a horseman to meet them and ask, ‘Do you come in peace?'"
New Revised Standard
In Jezreel, the sentinel standing on the tower spied the company of Jehu arriving, and said, "I see a company." Joram said, "Take a horseman; send him to meet them, and let him say, ‘Is it peace?'"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now, the watchman, was standing upon the tower, in Jezreel, so he saw the great company of Jehu, when he came, and said - A great company, can I see! Then said Jehoram - Take a horseman and send to meet them, that he may say - Is it peace?
Douay-Rheims Bible
The watchman therefore, that stood upon the tower of Jezrahel, saw the troop of Jehu coming, and said: I see a troop. And Joram said: Take a chariot, and send to meet them, and let him that goeth say: Is all well?
Revised Standard Version
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, "I see a company." And Joram said, "Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, 'Is it peace?'"
THE MESSAGE
A sentry standing duty on the watchtower in Jezreel saw the company of Jehu arrive. He said, "I see a band of men." Joram said, "Get a horseman and send him out to meet them and inquire, ‘Is anything wrong?'"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and said, "I see a company." And Joram said, "Take a horseman and send him to meet them and let him say, 'Is it peace?'"

Contextual Overview

16 Joram was resting in Jezreel, so Jehu got in his chariot and drove to Jezreel. King Ahaziah of Judah had also come to Jezreel to see Joram. 17 A guard was standing on the tower in Jezreel. He saw Jehu's large group coming. He said, "I see a large group of people!" Joram said, "Send someone on a horse to meet them. Tell this messenger to ask if they come in peace." 18 So the messenger rode on a horse to meet Jehu. The messenger said, "King Joram says, ‘Do you come in peace?'" Jehu said, "You have nothing to do with peace. Come and follow me." The guard told Joram, "The messenger went to the group, but he has not come back yet." 19 Then Joram sent out a second messenger on a horse. This man came to Jehu's group and said, "King Joram says, ‘Peace.'" Jehu answered, "You have nothing to do with peace. Come and follow me." 20 The guard told Joram, "The second messenger went to the group, but he has not come back yet. There is a man driving his chariot like a mad man. He is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi." 21 Joram said, "Get me my chariot!" So the servant got Joram's chariot. Both King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah got their chariots and drove out to meet Jehu. They met him at the property of Naboth from Jezreel. 22 Joram saw Jehu and asked, "Do you come in peace, Jehu?" Jehu answered, "There is no peace as long as your mother Jezebel does many acts of prostitution and witchcraft." 23 Joram turned the horses to run away. He said to Ahaziah, "It is a trick, Ahaziah!" 24 But Jehu grabbed his bow and shot Joram in the middle of his back, through the heart. Joram fell dead in his chariot. 25 Jehu said to his chariot driver Bidkar, "Take Joram's body up and throw it into the field of Naboth from Jezreel. Remember when you and I rode together with Joram's father Ahab, the Lord said this would happen to him.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a watchman: 2 Samuel 13:34, 2 Samuel 18:24, Isaiah 21:6-9, Isaiah 21:11, Isaiah 21:12, Isaiah 56:10, Isaiah 62:6, Ezekiel 33:2-9, Acts 20:26-31

Take an horseman: 2 Kings 7:14

Is it peace: 2 Kings 9:19, 1 Samuel 16:4, 1 Samuel 17:22, 1 Kings 2:15, Luke 10:5, Luke 10:6

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 5:21 - Is all well 2 Kings 9:11 - Is all well 2 Kings 9:22 - Is it peace Habakkuk 2:1 - tower

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel,.... Who could see afar off when an enemy was coming, and his business was to give notice of it; and especially he was now on his watch tower, because the king was there, and this was necessary for his safety:

and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company; a troop of soldiers, though he did not know who they were, and to whom they belonged, whether they were Syrians or Israelites; which was reported to the king:

and Joram said, take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, is it peace? he might fear some ill had befallen his army at Ramothgilead, and the Syrians had got the advantage of them; or they had made an irruption into his country, and were coming to attack him at Jezreel; or there was an insurrection among his own people.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Kings 9:17. A watchman on the tower — These watchmen, fixed on elevated places and generally within hearing of each other, served as a kind of telegraphs, to communicate intelligence through the whole country. But, in some cases, it appears that the intelligence was conveyed by a horseman to the next stage, as in the case before us. At this time, when the armies were at Ramoth-gilead, they were, no doubt, doubly watchful to observe the state of the country, and to notice every movement. See on 2 Samuel 13:34.


 
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