(24) And Jehu drew . . . strength.--See margin, which, however, is not quite accurate. Rather it should be, And Jehu had filled his hand (with an arrow) on the bow--i.e., had meanwhile put an arrow on his bow ready to shoot. Keil explains, "filled his hand with the bow," i.e., seized the bow. The phrase "to fill a bow" means to stretch it, both in Hebrew (Zechariah 9:13) and in Syriac (Psalm 11:2). In Psalm 64:4. Symmachus renders the Hebrew, "they have aimed their arrow," by the Greek, ????????? ?? ?????, "they have filled the bow."
Between his arms--i.e., between the shoulders, as he was flying; Vulg., "inter scapulas."
The arrow went out at his heart.--Or, came out from his heart. It struck him obliquely between the shoulders, and went right through the heart. (The word for "arrow" is h?ci, an ancient form, occurring thrice in 1 Samuel 20:36-38.) Ewald, on this account, refers both passages to the oldest narrator of the history of the kings.
Verse 24. - And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength. This meaning is scarcely contained in the Hebrew, which merely says that Jehu "filled his hand with his bow," that is to say, took his bow into his hands for the purpose of using it. And smote Jehoram between his arms; i.e. directed an arrow against Jehoram with so true an aim, that it struck him in the middle of the back between his shoulders. And the arrow went out at his heart. This was quite possible, for the heart lies towards the center of the chest, not wholly on the left side. It is not necessary to suppose an oblique wound. And he sank down in his chariot. Jehoram fell into the "well," or body, of the chariot, and there lay, the chariot being brought to a stand.
9:16-29 Jehu was a man of eager spirit. The wisdom of God is seen in the choice of those employed in his work. But it is not for any man's reputation to be known by his fury. He that has rule over his own spirit, is better than the mighty. Joram met Jehu in the portion of Naboth. The circumstances of events are sometimes ordered by Divine Providence to make the punishment answer to the sin, as face answers to face in a glass. The way of sin can never be the way of peace, Isa 57:21. What peace can sinners have with God? No peace so long as sin is persisted in; but when it is repented of and forsaken, there is peace. Joram died as a criminal, under the sentence of the law. Ahaziah was joined with the house of Ahab. He was one of them; he had made himself so by sin. It is dangerous to join evil-doers; we shall be entangled in guilt and misery by it.
Between his arms--i.e., between the shoulders, as he was flying; Vulg., "inter scapulas."
The arrow went out at his heart.--Or, came out from his heart. It struck him obliquely between the shoulders, and went right through the heart. (The word for "arrow" is h?ci, an ancient form, occurring thrice in 1 Samuel 20:36-38.) Ewald, on this account, refers both passages to the oldest narrator of the history of the kings.
Sunk down.--See margin (Isaiah 46:1).
In his chariot.--LXX., "on his knees," owing to a partial obliteration of one letter in their Hebrew text.
and smote Jehoram between his arms; that is, between his shoulders, his back being turned to him, and the chariot an open one:
and the arrow went out at his heart: quite through him:
and he sunk down in his chariot; and died immediately.