II Kings 9
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
One of the children of the prophets - The Jews say that this was Jonah the prophet, the son of Amittai. Gird up thy loins - What thou hast to do requires the utmost despatch.
Open source ↗JEHU IS ANOINTED. (2Ki. 9:1-23) Ramoth-gilead--a city of great importance to the Hebrew people, east of Jordan, as a fortress of defense against the Syrians. Jehoram had regained it (Kg2 8:29). But the Israelitish army was still encamped there, under the command of Jehu. Elisha . . . called one of the children of the prophets--This errand referred to the last commission given to Elijah in Horeb (Kg1 19:16). box of oil--(See Sa1 10:1).
Open source ↗And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets,.... Who the Jews generally say (k) was Jonah the son of Amittai: and said, gird up thy loins; his loose and long garments about his loins, for quicker dispatch in travelling: and take this box of oil in thine hand; for an use after directed to: and go to Ramothgilead; where Joram had left his army with his captains, to keep the city from the Syrians. (k) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 18. p. 47.
Open source ↗Anointing of Jehu by Command of Elisha. - While the Israelitish army was at Ramoth, Elisha executed the last of the commissions which Elijah had received at Horeb (Kg1 19:16), by sending a pupil of the prophets into the camp to anoint Jehu the commander-in-chief of the army as king, and to announce to him, in the name of Jehovah, that he would be king over Israel; and to charge him to exterminate the house of Ahab. Kg2 9:1-3 Kg2 9:1-3 contain the instructions which Elisha gave to the pupil of the prophets. השׁמן פּך as in Sa1 10:1. יהוּא שׁם ראה, look round there for Jehu. וגו הקמתו, let him (bid him) rise up from the midst of his brethren, i.e., of his comrades in arms. בּחדר חדר: the true meaning is, "into the innermost chamber" (see at Kg1 20:30). Kg2 9:3 contains only the leading points of the commission to Jehu, the full particulars are communicated in the account of the fulfilment in Kg2 9:6. "And flee, and thou shalt not wait." Elisha gave him this command, not to protect him from danger on the part of the secret adherents of Ahab (Theodoret, Cler.), but to prevent all further discussions, or "that he might not mix himself up with other affairs" (Seb. Schmidt). Kg2 9:4 "And the young man, the servant of the prophet, went." The second נער has the article in the construct state, contrary to the rule (vid., Ges. 110, 2, b.). Kg2 9:5-7 After the communication of the fact that he had a word to Jehu, the latter rose up and went with him into the house, i.e., into the interior of the house, in the court of which the captains were sitting together. There the pupil of the prophets poured oil upon Jehu's head, and announced to him that Jehovah had anointed him king for Israel, and that he was to smite, i.e., exterminate, the house of Ahab, to avenge upon it the blood of th…
Open source ↗We have here the anointing of Jehu to be king, who was, at this time, a commander (probably commander-in-chief) of the forces employed at Ramoth-Gilead, Kg2 9:14. There he was fighting for the king his master, but received orders from a higher king to fight against him. It does not appear that Jehu aimed at the government, or that he ever thought of it, but the commission given him was a perfect surprise to him. Some think that he had been anointed before by Elijah, whom God ordered to do it, but privately, and with an intimation that he must not act till further orders, as Samuel anointed David long before he was to come to the throne: but that it not at all probable, for then we must suppose Elijah had anointed Hazael too. No, when God bade him do these things he bade him anoint Elisha to be prophet in his room, to do them when he was gone, as God should direct him. Here is, I. The commission sent. 1. Elisha did not go himself to anoint Jehu, because he was old and unfit for such a journey and so well known that he could not do it privately, could not go and come without observation; therefore he sends one of the sons of the prophets to do it, Kg2 9:1. They not only reverences him as their father (Kg2 2:15), but observed and obeyed him as their father. This service of anointing Jehu, (1.) Had danger in it (Sa1 16:2), and therefore it was not fit that Elisha should expose himself, but one of the sons of the prophets, whose life was of less value, and who could do it with less danger. (2.) It required labour and was therefore fitter for a young man in his full strength. Let youth work and age direct. (3.) Yet it was an honourable piece of service, to anoint a king, and he that did it might hope to be preferred for it afterwards, and therefore, for the encouragement of t…
Open source ↗9:1-37 The writer recaps Jehu’s coup that instituted the fourth dynasty in Israel in four phases: (1) Elisha sent a member of the prophetic band to the army camp at Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu as the next king of Israel (9:1-10); (2) Jehu’s men learned of the prophet’s visit to their commander and proclaimed Jehu as king (9:11-15); (3) Both Joram and King Ahaziah of Judah were killed (9:16-29); and (4) Jezebel was killed (9:30-37). 9:1-3 Although Jehu received prophetic endorsement of his kingship, his anointing did not signify approval of all his subsequent actions. It did, however, carry a divine charge to execute the house of Ahab as punishment for his wickedness and idolatry (9:8-10).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אֱלִישָׁע (ʼĔlîyshâʻ, H477) — Elisha, the famous prophet נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָגַר (châgar, H2296) — to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.) מֹתֶן (môthen, H4975) — properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) פַּךְ (pak, H6378) — a flask (from which a liquid may flow) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָמֹת גִּלעָד (Râmôth Gilʻâd, H7433) — Ramoth-Gilad, a place East of the Jordan
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem נִמְשִׁי (Nimshîy, H5250) — Nimshi, the (grand-) father of Jehu קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חֶדֶר (cheder, H2315) — an apartment (usually literal)
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) פַּךְ (pak, H6378) — a flask (from which a liquid may flow) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) חָכָה (châkâh, H2442) — properly, to adhere to; hence, to await
Open source ↗נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָמֹת גִּלעָד (Râmôth Gilʻâd, H7433) — Ramoth-Gilad, a place East of the Jordan גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) נָקַם (nâqam, H5358) — to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… שָׁתַן (shâthan, H8366) — (causatively) to make water, i.e. urinate קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) עָצָר (ʻâtsâr, H6113) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נְבָט (Nᵉbâṭ, H5028) — Nebat, the father of Jeroboam I בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel אֲחִיָּה (ʼĂchîyâh, H281) — Achijah, the name of nine Israelites
Open source ↗כֶּלֶב (keleb, H3611) — a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment יִזְרְעֵאל (Yizrᵉʻêʼl, H3157) — Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites קָבַר (qâbar, H6912) — to inter פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
Open source ↗יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁגַע (shâgaʻ, H7696) — to rave through insanity יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שִׂיחַ (sîyach, H7879) — a contemplation; by implication, an utterance
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗מָהַר (mâhar, H4116) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… גֶּרֶם (gerem, H1634) — a bone (as the skeleton of the body); hence, self, i.e. (figuratively) very מַעֲלָה (maʻălâh, H4609) — elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought… תָּקַע (tâqaʻ, H8628) — to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive… שׁוֹפָר (shôwphâr, H7782) — a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem נִמְשִׁי (Nimshîy, H5250) — Nimshi, the (grand-) father of Jehu קָשַׁר (qâshar, H7194) — to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league) יוֹרָם (Yôwrâm, H3141) — Joram, the name of three Israelites and one Syrian שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… רָמֹת גִּלעָד (Râmôth Gilʻâd, H7433) — Ramoth-Gilad, a place East of the Jordan גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חֲזָאֵל (Chăzâʼêl, H2371) — Chazael, a king of Syria מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat answered the king of Israel, “I am like you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”
And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that.
Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.