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 .
11 Now Jehu came out to the servants of his master , and one said to him, " Is all well ? Why did this mad fellow come to you?" And he said to them, "You know very well the man and his talk ." 12 They said , "It is a lie , tell us now ." And he said , "Thus and thus he said to me, 'Thus says the Lord , "I have anointed you king over Israel .""' 13 Then they hurried and each man took his garment and placed it under him on the bare steps , and blew the trumpet , saying , "Jehu is king !"
14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram . Now Joram with all Israel was defending Ramoth-gilead against e Hazael king of Aram , 15 but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to be healed of the wounds which the Arameans had inflicted on him when he fought with Hazael king of Aram . So Jehu said , "If this is your mind , then let no one escape or leave e the city to go tell it in Jezreel ."
16 Then Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel , for Joram was lying there . Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram . 17 Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and he saw the company of Jehu as he came , and said , "I see a company ." And Joram said , "Take a horseman and send him to meet them and let him say , 'Is it peace ?' " 18 So a horseman went to meet him and said , "Thus says the king , 'Is it peace ?' " And Jehu said , " What have you to do with peace ? Turn behind e me." And the watchman reported , "The messenger came to them, but he did not return ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 9:1-18
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.
Commentary on 2 Kings 9:11-15
(Read 2 Kings 9:11-15)
Those who faithfully deliver the Lord's message to sinners, have in all ages been treated as madmen. Their judgment, speech, and conduct are contrary to those of other men; they endure much in pursuit of objects, and are influenced by motives, into which the others cannot enter. But above all, the charge is brought by the worldly and ungodly of all sorts, who are mad indeed; while the principles and practice of the devoted servants of God, prove to be wise and reasonable. Some faith in the word of God, seems to have animated Jehu to this undertaking.
Commentary on 2 Kings 9:16-29
(Read 2 Kings 9:16-29)
Jehu was a man of eager spirit. The wisdom of God is seen in the choice of those employed in his work. But it is not for any man's reputation to be known by his fury. He that has rule over his own spirit, is better than the mighty. Joram met Jehu in the portion of Naboth. The circumstances of events are sometimes ordered by Divine Providence to make the punishment answer to the sin, as face answers to face in a glass. The way of sin can never be the way of peace, Isaiah 57:21. What peace can sinners have with God? No peace so long as sin is persisted in; but when it is repented of and forsaken, there is peace. Joram died as a criminal, under the sentence of the law. Ahaziah was joined with the house of Ahab. He was one of them; he had made himself so by sin. It is dangerous to join evil-doers; we shall be entangled in guilt and misery by it.