2 Kings 10:4

THE MESSAGE

They were absolutely terrified at the letter. They said, "Two kings have already been wiped out by him; what hope do we have?"

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
However, they were terrified and reasoned, “Look, two kings couldn’t stand against him; how can we?”

Hebrew Names Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, the two kings didn't stand before him: how then shall we stand?

King James Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

English Standard Version
But they were exceedingly afraid and said, "Behold, the two kings could not stand before him. How then can we stand?"

New Century Version
But the officers and leaders of Jezreel were frightened. They said, "Two kings could not stand up to Jehu, so how can we?"

New English Translation
They were absolutely terrified and said, "Look, two kings could not stop him! How can we?"

Amplified Bible
But they were extremely afraid and said, "Look, the two kings did not stand before Jehu; so how can we stand?"

New American Standard Bible
But they feared greatly and said, "Behold, the two kings did not stand firm before him; how then can we stand?"

Geneva Bible (1587)
But they were exceedingly afraid, and saide, Behold two Kings coulde not stande before him, how shall we then stand?

Legacy Standard Bible
But they feared exceedingly greatly and said, "Behold, the two kings did not stand before him; how then can we stand?"

Contemporary English Version
The officials and leaders read the letters and were very frightened. They said to each other, "Jehu has already killed King Joram and King Ahaziah! We have to do what he says."

Complete Jewish Bible
They were panic-stricken and said, "If the other two kings couldn't withstand him, how will we?"

Darby Translation
And they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, the two kings stood not before him; and how shall we stand?

Easy-to-Read Version
But the rulers and leaders of Jezreel were very afraid. They said, "The two kings could not stop Jehu. So we cannot stop him either!"

George Lamsa Translation
But when they heard the letter, they were exceedingly afraid and said, Behold, two kings could not stand before Jehu; how then shall we stand before him?

Good News Translation
The rulers of Samaria were terrified. "How can we oppose Jehu," they said, "when neither King Joram nor King Ahaziah could?"

Lexham English Bible
But they were very afraid, and they said, "Look, two kings could not stand before him; how can we stand?"

Literal Translation
And they were greatly afraid, and said, Behold, the two kings have not stood before him, and how shall we stand?

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Neuertheles they were sore afrayed, and sayde: Beholde, two kynges were not able to stonde before him, how wyl we then endure?

American Standard Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, the two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

Bible in Basic English
But they were full of fear, and said, The two kings have gone down before him: how may we keep our place?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But they were exceedingly afrayde, & sayde: See, two kinges were not able to stande before him: howe shall we then be able to stande?

JPS Old Testament (1917)
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said: 'Behold, the two kings stood not before him; how then shall we stand?'

King James Version (1611)
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And they feared greatly, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: and how shall we stand?

English Revised Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, the two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

Berean Standard Bible
But they were terrified and reasoned, "If two kings could not stand against him, how can we?"

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And thei dredden greetli, and seiden, Lo! twei kyngis myyten not stonde bifor hym, and how schulen we mowe ayenstonde hym?

Young's Literal Translation
And they fear very greatly, and say, `Lo, the two kings have not stood before him, and how do we stand -- we?'

Update Bible Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Look, the two kings didn't stand before him: how then shall we stand?

Webster's Bible Translation
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

World English Bible
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, the two kings didn't stand before him: how then shall we stand?

New King James Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, "Look, two kings could not stand up to him; how then can we stand?"

New Living Translation
But they were paralyzed with fear and said, "We've seen that two kings couldn't stand against this man! What can we do?"

New Life Bible
But they were filled with fear, and said, "See, the two kings could not stand in front of him. How can we stand?"

New Revised Standard
But they were utterly terrified and said, "Look, two kings could not withstand him; how then can we stand?"

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then feared they very greatly, and said, Lo! two kings, stood not before him; how then, should, we, stand?

Douay-Rheims Bible
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said: Behold two kings could not stand before him, and how shall we be able to resist?

Revised Standard Version
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, "Behold, the two kings could not stand before him; how then can we stand?"

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But they feared greatly and said, "Behold, the two kings did not stand before him; how then can we stand?"

Contextual Overview

¹Ahab had seventy sons still living in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters addressed to the officers of Jezreel, the city elders, and those in charge of Ahab's sons, and posted them to Samaria. The letters read: This letter is fair warning. You're in charge of your master's children, chariots, horses, fortifications, and weapons. Pick the best and most capable of your master's sons and put him on the throne. Prepare to fight for your master's position. They were absolutely terrified at the letter. They said, "Two kings have already been wiped out by him; what hope do we have?" So they sent the warden of the palace, the mayor of the city, the elders, and the guardians to Jehu with this message: "We are your servants. Whatever you say, we'll do. We're not making anyone king here. You're in charge—do what you think best." Then Jehu wrote a second letter: If you are on my side and are willing to follow my orders, here's what you do: Decapitate the sons of your master and bring the heads to me by this time tomorrow in Jezreel. The king's sons numbered seventy. The leaders of the city had taken responsibility for them. When they got the letter, they took the king's sons and killed all seventy. Then they put the heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel. A messenger reported to Jehu: "They've delivered the heads of the king's sons." He said, "Stack them in two piles at the city gate until morning." In the morning Jehu came out, stood before the people, and addressed them formally: "Do you realize that this very day you are participants in God 's righteous workings? True, I am the one who conspired against my master and assassinated him. But who, do you suppose, is responsible for this pile of skulls? Know this for certain: Not a single syllable that God spoke in judgment on the family of Ahab is canceled; you're seeing it with your own eyes— God doing what, through Elijah, he said he'd do." Then Jehu proceeded to kill everyone who had anything to do with Ahab's family in Jezreel—leaders, friends, priests. He wiped out the entire lot. That done, he brushed himself off and set out for Samaria. Along the way, at Beth Eked (Binding House) of the Shepherds, he met up with some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu said, "Who are you?" They said, "We're relatives of Ahaziah and we've come down to a reunion of the royal family." "Grab them!" ordered Jehu. They were taken and then massacred at the well of Beth Eked. Forty-two of them—no survivors. He went on from there and came upon Jehonadab the Recabite who was on his way to meet him. Greeting him, he said, "Are we together and of one mind in this?" Jehonadab said, "We are—count on me." "Then give me your hand," said Jehu. They shook hands on it and Jehonadab stepped up into the chariot with Jehu. "Come along with me," said Jehu, "and witness my zeal for God ."Together they proceeded in the chariot. When they arrived in Samaria, Jehu massacred everyone left in Samaria who was in any way connected with Ahab—a mass execution, just as God had told Elijah. Next, Jehu got all the people together and addressed them: Ahab served Baal small-time; Jehu will serve him big-time. "Get all the prophets of Baal here—everyone who served him, all his priests. Get everyone here; don't leave anyone out. I have a great sacrifice to offer Baal. If you don't show up, you won't live to tell about it." (Jehu was lying, of course. He planned to destroy all the worshipers of Baal.) Jehu ordered, "Make preparation for a holy convocation for Baal." They did and posted the date. Jehu then summoned everyone in Israel. They came in droves—every worshiper of Baal in the country. Nobody stayed home. They came and packed the temple of Baal to capacity. Jehu directed the keeper of the wardrobe, "Get robes for all the servants of Baal." He brought out their robes. Jehu and Jehonadab the Recabite now entered the temple of Baal and said, "Double-check and make sure that there are no worshipers of God in here; only Baal-worshipers are allowed." Then they launched the worship, making the sacrifices and burnt offerings. Meanwhile, Jehu had stationed eighty men outside with orders: "Don't let a single person escape; if you do, it's your life for his life." When Jehu had finished with the sacrificial solemnities, he signaled to the officers and guards, "Enter and kill! No survivors!" And the bloody slaughter began. The officers and guards threw the corpses outside and cleared the way to enter the inner shrine of Baal. They hauled out the sacred phallic stone from the temple of Baal and pulverized it. They smashed the Baal altars and tore down the Baal temple. It's been a public toilet ever since. And that's the story of Jehu's wasting of Baal in Israel. But for all that, Jehu didn't turn back from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, the sins that had dragged Israel into a life of sin—the golden calves in Bethel and Dan stayed. ³ God commended Jehu: "You did well to do what I saw was best. You did what I ordered against the family of Ahab. As reward, your sons will occupy the throne of Israel for four generations." Even then, though, Jehu wasn't careful to walk in God 's ways and honor the God of Israel from an undivided heart. He didn't turn back from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into a life of sin. It was about this time that God began to shrink Israel. Hazael hacked away at the borders of Israel from the Jordan to the east—all the territory of Gilead, Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh from Aroer near the Brook Arnon. In effect, all Gilead and Bashan. The rest of the life and times of Jehu, his accomplishments and fame, are written in The Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. Jehu died and was buried in the family plot in Samaria. His son Jehoahaz was the next king. Jehu ruled Israel from Samaria for twenty-eight years. ⁴ They were absolutely terrified at the letter. They said, "Two kings have already been wiped out by him; what hope do we have?" ⁵ So they sent the warden of the palace, the mayor of the city, the elders, and the guardians to Jehu with this message: "We are your servants. Whatever you say, we'll do. We're not making anyone king here. You're in charge—do what you think best." ⁶Then Jehu wrote a second letter: If you are on my side and are willing to follow my orders, here's what you do: Decapitate the sons of your master and bring the heads to me by this time tomorrow in Jezreel. The king's sons numbered seventy. The leaders of the city had taken responsibility for them. When they got the letter, they took the king's sons and killed all seventy. Then they put the heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel. ⁸ A messenger reported to Jehu: "They've delivered the heads of the king's sons." He said, "Stack them in two piles at the city gate until morning." ⁹In the morning Jehu came out, stood before the people, and addressed them formally: "Do you realize that this very day you are participants in God 's righteous workings? True, I am the one who conspired against my master and assassinated him. But who, do you suppose, is responsible for this pile of skulls? Know this for certain: Not a single syllable that God spoke in judgment on the family of Ahab is canceled; you're seeing it with your own eyes— God doing what, through Elijah, he said he'd do." ¹¹ Then Jehu proceeded to kill everyone who had anything to do with Ahab's family in Jezreel—leaders, friends, priests. He wiped out the entire lot. ¹²That done, he brushed himself off and set out for Samaria. Along the way, at Beth Eked (Binding House) of the Shepherds, he met up with some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu said, "Who are you?" They said, "We're relatives of Ahaziah and we've come down to a reunion of the royal family." ¹⁴ "Grab them!" ordered Jehu. They were taken and then massacred at the well of Beth Eked. Forty-two of them—no survivors.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Behold: 2 Kings 9:24, 2 Kings 9:27

how then shall: Isaiah 27:4, Jeremiah 49:19, Nahum 1:6, Luke 14:31

Reciprocal: Job 41:8 - General Luke 14:32 - and desireth

Cross-References

Isaiah 23:1
Wail, ships of Tarshish, your strong seaports all in ruins! When the ships returned from Cyprus, they saw the destruction. Hold your tongue, you who live on the seacoast, merchants of Sidon. Your people sailed the deep seas, buying and selling, Making money on wheat from Shihor, grown along the Nile— multinational broker in grains! Hang your head in shame, Sidon. The Sea speaks up, the powerhouse of the ocean says, "I've never had labor pains, never had a baby, never reared children to adulthood, Never gave life, never worked with life. It was all numbers, dead numbers, profit and loss."

Ezekiel 27:12
"‘Tarshish carried on business with you because of your great wealth. They worked for you, trading in silver, iron, tin, and lead for your products.

Ezekiel 27:25
"‘The great Tarshish ships were your freighters, importing and exporting. Oh, it was big business for you, trafficking the seaways!

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But they were exceedingly afraid,.... They were intimidated at once; for they saw the purport of those letters, that should they attempt anything of this kind, he would come upon them with his forces:

and said, behold, two kings stood not before him; the kings of Israel and Judah, Joram and Ahaziah; but they were unarmed, and therefore how should they stand before an armed body of men Jehu had with him? this shows the pusillanimity of these men to make use of such an argument as this:

how then shall we stand? that is, before Jehu; but they were in much better circumstances than the two kings, as they are truly represented in 2 Kings 10:2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Two kings - literally, “the two kings,” i. e., Jehoram and Ahaziah 2 Kings 9:21-28.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Kings 10:4. Two kings stood not before him — That is Joram and Ahaziah.