מלכים ב, פרק י׳, פסוק ד׳

Jehu's uprising creates a shockwave that deeply unsettles the royal establishment. Faced with his looming threat, the members of Ahab's household are struck with a paralyzing fear, quickly realizing that any resistance is doomed to fail [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Their despair is rooted in the recent fate of two powerful monarchs, King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These rulers could not hold their ground against Jehu for even a brief moment, immediately fleeing before him [חומת אנך].

Witnessing this swift defeat, Ahab's men conclude that they have no chance of surviving a confrontation. This crushing realization stems from a deeper understanding of the events unfolding around them. They recognize that the sudden downfall of the kings is clear proof that God is actively orchestrating the destruction of Ahab's dynasty, rendering any military retaliation utterly pointless [חומת אנך]. At the same time, practical considerations play a role in their surrender. Although the two kings were killed while traveling with only a small entourage, the sheer speed of their demise provides Ahab's men with a convenient excuse to avoid a direct military conflict [ביאור שטיינזלץ].