9:22 When Jehoram saw Jehu, he asked, “Is everything all right, Jehu?” He replied, “How can everything be all right as long as your mother Jezebel promotes idolatry and pagan practices?” 5 9:23 Jehoram turned his chariot around and took off. 6 He said to Ahaziah, “It’s a trap, 7 Ahaziah!” 9:24 Jehu aimed his bow and shot an arrow right between Jehoram’s shoulders. 8 The arrow went through 9 his heart and he fell to his knees in his chariot.
1 tn The words “my chariot” are added for clarification.
2 tn Heb “and he hitched up his chariot.”
3 tn Heb “each in his chariot and they went out.”
4 tn Heb “they found him.”
5 tn Heb “How [can there be] peace as long as the adulterous acts of Jezebel your mother and her many acts of sorcery [continue]?” In this instance “adulterous acts” is employed metaphorically for idolatry. As elsewhere in the OT, worshiping other gods is viewed as spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness to the one true God. The phrase “many acts of sorcery” could be taken literally, for Jezebel undoubtedly utilized pagan divination practices, but the phrase may be metaphorical, pointing to her devotion to pagan customs in general.
6 tn Heb “and Jehoram turned his hands and fled.” The phrase “turned his hands” refers to how he would have pulled on the reins in order to make his horses turn around.
7 tn Heb “Deceit, Ahaziah.”
8 tn Heb “and Jehu filled his hand with the bow and he struck Jehoram between his shoulders.”
9 tn Heb “went out from.”