Daily Tanach Sunday 25th Shevat, Sefer Melachim 2 Chapter 9 Part 3: Yeihu kills Yoram king of Israel

1. Yeihu kills Yoram king of Israel:

• The time of the rebellion of Yeihu: Yeihu, the son of Yehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi revolted against Yoram the king of Israel, while Yoram and all Israel were guarding in Ramot- Gilead to prevent the enemy soldiers of Chazael the king of Aram, from breaking through.
• The plot: King Yehoram returned to Yizrael to recuperate from his wounds that the Arameans inflicted upon him when he fought with Chazael king of Aram. Yeihu told the people [in Ramot Gilad^[1]] that if they desire [for him to become the new king^[2]], then let no survivor leave the city to go to Yizrael and inform the king of my arrival [with plans to assassinate him].
• Yeihu and Achaziyahu arrive to Yizrael: Yeihu traveled to Yizrael, where Yoram the king was lying in recovery. At that same time, Achaziyahu, the king of Yehuda went down to see Yoram.
• Yoram sees a large entourage coming towards him and sends a rider to greet them: The lookout was standing on the tower in Yizrael, and he saw Yeihu’s troops arriving towards them. He informed Yoram of the arrivals and Yoram told him to send a rider towards them to see [who they are and as to] their wellbeing [and as to what is it that they want].
• The rider does not return: The horse rider went towards Yeihu and asked him in the name of the king as to if all is doing well with them. Yeihu answered him by saying, “What difference does it make to you as to how we are doing? Come behind us and join [in the rebellion against the king].” The lookout reported to the king that while he saw the rider reach the entourage the rider did not return.
• A second rider is sent who also does not return: The king sent a second horse rider to greet the group and ask as to who they are and what they want. The rider arrived to Yeihu and asked him in the name of the king as to if all is doing well. Yeihu again responded to him as he did to the previous rider, “What difference does it make to you as to how we are doing? Come behind us and join [in the rebellion against the king].” The lookout again reported to the king that while he saw the rider reach the entourage the rider did not return. The lookout then added his assessment as to whom the entourage belonged to saying that “The driving of the entourage is like the driving of Yeihu the [grand^[3]]son of Nimshi, who drives like a madman.”
• Yoram goes himself to greet the entourage together with Achaziyahu: Yehoram the king of Israel decided to personally ride in his chariot to greet Yeihu and see what was going on. Achaziyahu, the king of Yehuda, also joined him in his own chariot. They rode towards Yeihu, and found him in the territory of Navos the Yizralite. When Yehoram saw Yeihu, he asked him as to how he was doing, “Is there peace, Yeihu?” Yeihu replied to the king with insolence saying, “You are not worthy of peace. Is there peace with the harlotries of Izevel your mother and her numerous sorceries?”
• Yehoram flees and is killed in the process: Yehoram realized that Yeihu has rebelled against him and so he turned his hands around on the harness of the horse and began to flee. As he was fleeing, he quickly warned Achaziyahu that he should flee as well as Yeihu has rebelled. Yeihu then put all of his strength into his bow, and struck Yehoram between his arms, and the arrow penetrated through his heart. Yoram [died and] fell in his chariot, onto his knees in a prostrating position.
• Yeihu has the body of the king thrown into the field of Navos: Yeihu told his minister named Bidkar to carry the body of the king and discard it in the territory of the field of Navos the Yizralite. “For you remember when you and I were riding together behind Achav his father, when Hashem said a prophecy against him [through his prophet Eliyahu^[4]] saying, “I indeed saw the blood of Navos and the blood of his children [who were also killed, or who could have been born and were not able to^[5]] last night? I will seek retribution from you on this very plot of land.” Now [said Yeihu to his minister], pick up the corpse of Yoram and throw him into this plot of land as Hashem had instructed.”

[1] Rashi 9:15

[2] Rashi 9:15

[3] Metzudos Dovid 9:20

[4] Metzudos Dovid 9:24

[5] See Radak and Metzudos Dovid 9:26