Bible Strands
2 Kings 9:21
“Harness!” Joram shouted, and they harnessed his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his own chariot, and met Jehu on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Joram shouts the command to his servants to harness his chariot after a watchman reports Jehu’s reckless approach. He then departs with Ahaziah king of Judah to confront Jehu on the land formerly owned by Naboth the Jezreelite.
The words — The Hebrew אֱסֹר ('e.Sor) and its verb form וַ/יֶּאְסֹר (va/i.ye'.Sor) both mean "harness," directing the immediate preparation of Joram’s chariot for pursuit.
The thread — This location recalls 1 Kings 21:1, where Naboth’s vineyard was seized by royal decree, and aligns with 2 Chronicles 22:7, which notes Ahaziah’s fatal journey to meet Jehu.
Why it lands — The passage demands recognition that royal authority cannot outrun divine judgment, as the very ground of past injustice becomes the site of present accountability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 21:1 Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
- 2 Chronicles 22:7 Ahaziah’s downfall came from God when he went to visit Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.
- Numbers 20:14 From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us,
- 1 Kings 20:14 “By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet.
- 1 Kings 21:15 When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, who refused to give it to you for silver. For Naboth is no longer alive, but dead.”
- 2 Kings 9:25 And Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, “Pick him up and throw him into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember that when you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, the LORD lifted up this burden against him:
- Micah 1:13 Harness your chariot horses, O dweller of Lachish. You were the beginning of sin to the Daughter of Zion, for the transgressions of Israel were found in you.