2 Kings 9:1-13

Jehu Anointed King of Israel

1 The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead.

2 When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room.

3 Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”

4 So the young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead.

5 When he arrived, he found the army officers sitting together. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said. “For which of us?” asked Jehu. “For you, commander,” he replied.

6 Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel.

7 You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the LORD’s servants shed by Jezebel.

8 The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free.^[a]

9 I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah.

10 As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’ ” Then he opened the door and ran.

11 When Jehu went out to his fellow officers, one of them asked him, “Is everything all right? Why did this maniac come to you?” “You know the man and the sort of things he says,” Jehu replied.

12 “That’s not true!” they said. “Tell us.” Jehu said, “Here is what he told me: ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ ”

13 They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!”

2 Kings 9:1-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 9

In this chapter we are told that one of the sons of the prophets was sent by Elisha to anoint Jehu king of Israel, and to order him to smite and destroy the whole house of Ahab, 2Ki 9:1-10, which being done unto him, and the order received by Jehu, he acquainted his captains with it, 2Ki 9:11-15, who set out with him immediately to Jezreel, 2Ki 9:16-21, where he slew Joram king of Israel, 2Ki 9:22-26, and Ahaziah king of Judah, 2Ki 9:27-29, and Jezebel, the widow of Ahab, and mother of Joram, 2Ki 9:30-37.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Samuel 10:5
• 2. S 1 Kings 18:46; 2 Kings 4:29
• 3. S 1 Samuel 10:1
• 4. S 2 Kings 8:28
• 5. 1 Kings 19:16
• 6. 1 Kings 19:16; 2 Chronicles 22:7
• 7. S Genesis 4:24; S Revelation 6:10
• 8. S Deuteronomy 32:43
• 9. S 1 Kings 18:4; 1 Kings 21:15
• 10. 2 Kings 10:17
• 11. Deuteronomy 32:36; S 1 Samuel 25:22; 1 Kings 21:21; 2 Kings 14:26
• 12. S 1 Kings 13:34; S 1 Kings 14:10; 1 Kings 15:29; 1 Kings 16:3,11
• 13. 1 Kings 16:3
• 14. ver 35-36; S 1 Kings 21:23
• 15. S 1 Samuel 10:11; Jeremiah 29:26; S John 10:20; Acts 26:24
• 16. Matthew 21:8; Luke 19:36
• 17. S 2 Samuel 15:10; 1 Kings 1:34,39

Footnotes

• [a] Or "Israel—every ruler or leader"