And to the custodian of Achov’s children. Those who brought up his children.¹

footnotes: ¹ The literal translation is, “and to those who raised Achov.”

And with you are the chariot[s] and the horses. And they have strength to wage war.

Two kings. Yorom and Achazyohu.

The sons of the king [number] seventy men, and the great men of the city, etc. All this was written in the letter, “And I know their count, seventy men, and they are with the elders of the city who are raising them.²

footnotes: ² Alternatively, “now the kings sons, etc.” until the end of the verse was not written in the letter. Rather, it is a comment by [Yirmiyahu] the author of the Book of Kings.—Radak

In pots. [In] pots.³

footnotes: ³ Alternatively, “in baskets” which were loosely woven so the heads would be visible from the outside.—Ralbag

Piles. Mounds. [And Targum Yonoson rendered] דְּגוּרִין [=mounds],⁴ moncels, in O.F.

footnotes: ⁴ See Targum in Shemos 8:10 who renders דְּגוֹרִין for חֳמָרִים [=piles].

“You are righteous.” In your eyes you are all righteous, and you consider me as being wicked because I killed the king. But look, now I revolted against my master and killed him. But who killed all these? I did not kill them. But from these you will know then that it is a decree of the King upon them, and whoever kills them is righteous and fulfills the commandment of the Omnipresent.

The gathering place of the shepherds. [Targum Yonoson] renders בֵּית כְּנִישַׁת רָעֲיָא [=the house where shepherds gather].

Gathering. An expression of binding, the place where shepherds gather.⁵

footnotes: ⁵ I.e., the shepherds come together at one place. Alternatively, בֵּית עֶקֶד is the shearing place for sheep, because shepherds tie [=עוֹקֵד] the sheep prior to shearing them.—Radak

And the queen’s sons. Ezevel.⁶

footnotes: ⁶ They were unaware that Yeihu killed Yehorom, otherwise they would have fled.—Radak

And said to him. [I.e.,] Yeihu [said to him].

“Is your heart upright.” Wholehearted in what I am doing, as I am wholeheartedly with your heart?

And Yehonodov said, “It sure is, give me your hand.” And hold it and take me up to you, to the chariot.⁷

footnotes: ⁷ I.e., to Yeihu’s chariot. Alternatively, “Give me your hand” was spoken by Yeihu who then pulled Yehonodov up into his chariot.—Radak Or, he asked for a handshake as a gesture to confirm their amicable relationship.—Metzudas Dovid

With cunning. With guile, an expression of “וַיַּעְקְבֵנִי [=he beguiled me].”⁸

footnotes: ⁸ Bereishis 27:36.

“Sanctify an assembly.” [I.e.,] announce an assembly,⁹ that they assemble in the temple of the Baal.

footnotes: ⁹ Alternatively, “Announce a cessation of work [= עֲצָרָה].” See Rashi in Bamidbar 29:35.

Of the wardrobe. [Targum] Yonoson rendered, “לְדִמְמָנָא עַל קוֹמַטְרַיָּא [=to the one appointed over the wardrobe],” chests and boxes in which they wrap and store the ceremonial garments of the Baal worshipers.

You will forfeit your life for his life. The life of the guard shall be [forfeit] for the life of the one who escapes.¹⁰

footnotes: ¹⁰ Because of his negligence.—Metzudas Dovid

Threw them out. [Targum Yonoson] (renders), “וְרָמוּ רָהֲטַיָּא וְגַבְרַיָּא קְטִילִין [=and the couriers and the mighty warriors cast cadavers],” they cast down the cadavers of the Baal worshipers.

Into an outhouse. An expression meaning a privy, and similarly [it states], “to eat their excrement [=חוראיהם].”¹¹

footnotes: ¹¹ Yeshayahu 36:12.

However, from the sins of Yerovom, etc. Out of fear, that the kingdom return to the House of Dovid, as Yerovom had feared.

Adonoy said to Yeihu. Through Yonah.

Four generations of your sons. Four generations¹² [as reward] for your having destroyed the house of Achov, which reigned for four generations: Omri, Achov, Achazyoh, and Yehorom.

footnotes: ¹² The four generations of Yeihu’s descendants are: Yehoachaz, Yehoash, Yorovom and Zecharyoh.

To show His disgust. As in, “קַצְתִּי בְּחַיָּי [=I am disgusted with my life].”¹³¹⁴

footnotes: ¹³ Bereishis 27:46. ¹⁴ Alternatively, “began to cut [=לְקַצוֹת] into Yisroel” as in Devorim 25:12, “you shall cut off [=וְקַצוֹתָ].”—Metzudas Tzion Or, “began to strike at those living at the border [=קָצֶה],” i.e., those living in the eastern part of Eiver Hayardein.