But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

But they were exceedingly afraid, and said: Behold two kings could not stand before him, and how shall we be able to resist?

And they fear very greatly, and say, 'Lo, the two kings have not stood before him, and how do we stand, we?'

But they were full of fear, and said, The two kings have gone down before him: how may we keep our place?

But they were vehemently afraid, and they said: "Behold, two kings were not able to stand before him. So how will we be able to withstand him?"

Two kings - literally, "the two kings," i. e., Jehoram and Ahaziah 2-Kings 9:21-28.

Two kings stood not before him - That is Joram and Ahaziah.

But they were exceedingly afraid,.... They were intimidated at once; for they saw the purport of those letters, that should they attempt anything of this kind, he would come upon them with his forces:
and said, behold, two kings stood not before him; the kings of Israel and Judah, Joram and Ahaziah; but they were unarmed, and therefore how should they stand before an armed body of men Jehu had with him? this shows the pusillanimity of these men to make use of such an argument as this:
how then shall we stand? that is, before Jehu; but they were in much better circumstances than the two kings, as they are truly represented in 2-Kings 10:2.

This ruse had the desired result. The recipients of the letter were in great fear, and said, Two kings could not stand before him, how shall we? and sent messengers to announce their submission, and to say that they were willing to carry out his commands, and had no desire to appoint a king.