Jehu Anointed King of Israel

91 Now Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, " Gird up your loins , and take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth-gilead . 2 "When you arrive there , search out Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi , and go in and bid him arise from among his brothers , and bring him to an inner room . 3 "Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say , 'Thus says the Lord , " I have anointed you king over Israel ."' Then open the door and flee and do not wait ." 4 So the young man , the servant of the prophet , went to Ramoth-gilead . 5 When he came , behold , the captains of the army were sitting , and he said , "I have a word for you, O captain ." And Jehu said , "For which one of us?" And he said , "For you, O captain ." 6 He arose and went into the house , and he poured the oil on his head and said to him, "Thus says the Lord , the God of Israel , ' I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord , even over Israel . 7 'You shall strike the house of Ahab your master , that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets , and the blood of all the servants of the Lord , at the hand of Jezebel . 8 'For the whole house of Ahab shall perish , and I will cut off from Ahab every male e person both bond and free in Israel . 9 ' I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat , and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah . 10 ' The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel , and none shall bury her."' Then he opened the door and fled .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 9:1-10

Commentary on 2 Kings 9:1-10

(Read 2 Kings 9:1-10)

In these and the like events, we must acknowledge the secret working of God, disposing men to fulfil his purposes respecting them. Jehu was anointed king over Israel, by the Lord's special choice. The Lord still had a remnant of his people, and would yet preserve his worship among them. Of this Jehu was reminded. He was commanded to destroy the house of Ahab, and, as far as he acted in obedience to God, and upon right principles, he needed not to regard reproach or opposition. The murder of God's prophets is strongly noticed. Jezebel persisted in idolatry and enmity to Jehovah and his servants, and her iniquity was now full.