Bidkar.--The Syriac gives Bar-d?kar, "son of stabbing," i.e., "stabber," "slayer" a very suitable name for Jehu's squire. The Hebrew name is, therefore, a contraction of Ben-dekar. (Comp. Bedan, "son of Dan," i.e., Danite, 1 Samuel 12:11; and Bedad, "son of Hadad," in 1 Chronicles 1:46.)
Remember how that, when I and thou rode together.--This gives the sense of the Hebrew correctly. Literally, remember thou me and thee riding together. The word rendered "together" probably means riding side by side on horseback in attendance on the king. The Targum, vulg., and Kimchi interpret, riding together in the same chariot; Josephus, riding together in Ahab's chariot behind him.
The Lord laid this burden upon him.--Rather, Jehovah uttered this (prophetic) utterance upon (i.e., about) him. (Comp. the oracle uttered by Elijah against Ahab when taking possession of Naboth's vineyard, 1 Kings 21:17, seq., 1 Kings 21:29.)
Verse 25. - Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain; literally, his thirdsman; Keil renders "his aide-de-camp," probably one of those who was in his chariot with him - Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. "Take up the body," i.e. "and cast it into the plot of ground which once belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite, and was forfeited to the crown at his death (1 Kings 21:15), and taken possession of by Ahab" (1 Kings 21:16). The reason for the order follows. For remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the Lord laid this burden upon him. The LXX. have μνημονεύω, "I remember;" but the Hebrew text is זכר, not אזכר "Remember" (imperative mood) is the correct translation. Jehu recalls his captain's recollection to an occurrence which was deeply impressed upon his own. "When thou and I rode together after Ahab" probably means "when we two stood behind Ahab in his chariot." The Assyrian sculptures usually represent the monarch as attended by two body-guards, who ride in the same chariot with him, standing up behind him, and often interposing their shields to protect his person. In this near proximity Jehu and Bidkar would hear any speech which was addressed to Ahab. By a "burden" is meant a sentence of punishment (comp. Isaiah 13:1; Isaiah 15:1; Isaiah 17:1; etc.; Nahum 1:1, etc.).
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.
Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain,.... Not Joram's, but Jehu's captain, though he had been the former's, and his father Ahab's also:
take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; near to which they were:
for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father; either in the same chariot, or on horseback side by side, his guards or retinue following him two and two:
the Lord laid this burden upon him; this heavy denunciation of vengeance by Elijah the prophet; and they being together, and pretty near, heard it, as he might remember, which follows.
Bidkar.--The Syriac gives Bar-d?kar, "son of stabbing," i.e., "stabber," "slayer" a very suitable name for Jehu's squire. The Hebrew name is, therefore, a contraction of Ben-dekar. (Comp. Bedan, "son of Dan," i.e., Danite, 1 Samuel 12:11; and Bedad, "son of Hadad," in 1 Chronicles 1:46.)
Captain.--Adjutant, aide-de-camp, chief (2 Kings 7:2).
Remember how that, when I and thou rode together.--This gives the sense of the Hebrew correctly. Literally, remember thou me and thee riding together. The word rendered "together" probably means riding side by side on horseback in attendance on the king. The Targum, vulg., and Kimchi interpret, riding together in the same chariot; Josephus, riding together in Ahab's chariot behind him.
The Lord laid this burden upon him.--Rather, Jehovah uttered this (prophetic) utterance upon (i.e., about) him. (Comp. the oracle uttered by Elijah against Ahab when taking possession of Naboth's vineyard, 1 Kings 21:17, seq., 1 Kings 21:29.)
take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; near to which they were:
for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father; either in the same chariot, or on horseback side by side, his guards or retinue following him two and two:
the Lord laid this burden upon him; this heavy denunciation of vengeance by Elijah the prophet; and they being together, and pretty near, heard it, as he might remember, which follows.