‏ 2 Kings 9

Jehu Anointed King

This passage tells how Jehu was chosen and anointed to be king of Israel. At the time, Jehu was a military commander fighting at Ramoth-Gilead. He did not expect to become king, but God had a special plan for him. The anointing was done secretly by a young prophet sent by Elisha. Jehu’s main task was to carry out God’s judgment against the family of Ahab, especially for their violence against God’s prophets and faithful people. This story shows that God chooses leaders for His own purposes, and sometimes uses surprising people to fulfill His will.

v. 1: Elisha sent one of the young prophets to anoint Jehu as king. Elisha did not go himself because he was old and well-known, and the mission needed to be done secretly. The young prophet was given oil and clear instructions on what to say and do. He was told to act quickly and leave right after the anointing .

v. 2-3: The young prophet was told to find Jehu among the other commanders, take him into a private room, and anoint him king. He was to say, "Thus says the LORD, I have anointed you king over Israel," and then leave quickly (2 Kings 9:2-3 ^a). This private anointing would test Jehu’s faith and courage, since there were no witnesses.

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v. 4-5: The young prophet went to Ramoth-Gilead and found Jehu with the other officers. He boldly called Jehu out, saying he had a message for him. Jehu asked, "To which of us?" and the prophet replied, "To you, O captain." Jehu then went with him into a private room (2 Kings 9:4-5 ^b).

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v. 6: Once alone, the prophet poured oil on Jehu’s head and said, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel." Jehu was reminded that his authority came from God and that he was to rule God’s people, not for himself but for God’s glory .

v. 7-10: The prophet told Jehu that his main mission was to destroy the house of Ahab, as judgment for killing God’s prophets and servants. Jehu was to carry out God’s sentence, just as had been done to the families of Jeroboam and Baasha. Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, would also be punished and her body would be eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:7-10 ^c). This was God’s way of showing that He remembers the suffering of His people and will bring justice.

After delivering the message, the young prophet quickly left, as he had been instructed. Jehu was left to think about what had happened and to seek God’s guidance for what to do next.

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Jehu Proclaimed King

This passage describes what happened after Jehu was secretly anointed king by a young prophet. At first, Jehu tried to keep the news to himself, but the other commanders noticed something had happened and questioned him. Their reaction shows how people sometimes look down on God’s messengers, but also how quickly God can change hearts and bring about His plans. Jehu acted wisely, gaining the support of the army and moving quickly to carry out his mission.

v. 11: When Jehu returned to his fellow officers, they asked him, "Why did this mad fellow come to you?" . They called the prophet "mad" because he lived differently from them and was devoted to God. People who do not care about God often mock those who do (1 Peter 4:4; Hosea 9:7 ^d). At first, Jehu tried to avoid telling them, but when they insisted, he told them the prophet had anointed him king. He trusted God to protect him, even if some might oppose him.

v. 12-13: As soon as the officers heard Jehu’s story, they showed him great respect. They quickly put their garments under him on the steps and blew the trumpet, proclaiming, "Jehu is king!" (2 Kings 9:13 ^e). Even though they had looked down on the prophet, they honored Jehu as king. God moved their hearts to accept Jehu’s new role and support him. Sometimes, God prepares people for change in ways we do not expect.

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v. 14: Jehu acted carefully and wisely. He made sure the other commanders agreed with him before taking action. He also made sure no one left to warn King Joram in Jezreel, so the plan would be a surprise (2 Kings 9:14 ^f). Acting quickly and with unity helped Jehu succeed in the mission God had given him.

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Jehu's Approach to Jezreel

This passage describes Jehu’s swift and strategic approach to Jezreel after being anointed king. Jehu moved quickly to prevent news of his anointing from reaching King Joram. The events that followed show how God’s judgment was carried out against Joram and Ahaziah, fulfilling earlier prophecies. The story highlights how sin brings consequences and how God’s justice is precise and unavoidable.

v. 17-19: As Jehu and his men approached Jezreel, a watchman saw them coming and reported it to King Joram. Unsure if they were friends or enemies, Joram sent a messenger to ask, "Is it peace?" Jehu replied, "What do you have to do with peace? Turn and follow me," and the messenger joined Jehu’s group. A second messenger was sent and received the same response (2 Kings 9:17-19 ^g). Jehu’s determination and authority were clear, and even the messengers recognized it. The watchman noted that the leader drove furiously, identifying him as Jehu. Jehu’s intense focus and energy made him the right person for this mission, though being known for fury is not always a good reputation.

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v. 20-21: Joram, accompanied by Ahaziah, king of Judah, went out to meet Jehu. They met him at the field of Naboth, the Jezreelite (2 Kings 9:20-21 ^h). This location was significant because it was where Ahab and Jezebel had committed the sin of murdering Naboth to take his vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16 ⁱ). The place itself was a reminder of God’s judgment against Ahab’s family.

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v. 22: Joram asked Jehu, "Is it peace?" Jehu replied, "What peace can there be, so long as the whoredoms of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?" . Jehu boldly confronted Joram with the sins of his mother, Jezebel, including idolatry and witchcraft. Jehu made it clear that peace was impossible while such wickedness continued. Sin always disrupts peace, whether with God, others, or within oneself (Isaiah 57:21 ^j).

v. 23-24: Realizing the danger, Joram shouted, "Treachery, O Ahaziah!" and tried to flee. But Jehu shot an arrow that struck Joram between the shoulders, piercing his heart. Joram died immediately (2 Kings 9:23-24 ^k). Jehu then ordered Joram’s body to be thrown into Naboth’s field, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy that Ahab’s family would face judgment for Naboth’s murder (1 Kings 21:19 ^l). God’s justice was carried out exactly as foretold.

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v. 25-26: Jehu reminded his men of Elijah’s prophecy about Ahab’s family and Naboth’s vineyard. He said, "Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the LORD, and I will repay you on this plot of ground" (2 Kings 9:25-26 ^m). This shows how God remembers and avenges innocent blood, even when it seems forgotten by people.

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v. 27-28: Ahaziah, king of Judah, also tried to escape, but Jehu’s men pursued him. They wounded him near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo, where he died. His servants brought his body back to Jerusalem for burial (2 Kings 9:27-28 ⁿ). Ahaziah’s downfall was partly due to his alliance with Ahab’s family. Being connected to wicked people often leads to sharing in their judgment.

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Joram and Ahaziah Slain

This section focuses on the final judgment against Jezebel, the most notorious member of Ahab’s family. Jezebel was responsible for leading Israel into idolatry, killing the Lord’s prophets, and plotting the murder of Naboth. Her story is a warning about the end of those who oppose God and harm His people. Jezebel’s death also serves as a symbol of how God will one day judge all who lead others into sin and persecution (Revelation 2:20; Revelation 17:5-6,16 ^o).

v. 30-31: When Jezebel heard that Jehu had killed her son and was coming to Jezreel, she did not hide or show fear. Instead, she painted her face and fixed her hair, trying to look proud and majestic. She stood at the window and mocked Jehu, saying, "Had Zimri peace, who killed his master?" (2 Kings 9:30-31 ^p). Jezebel’s pride and stubbornness showed that her heart was still hard, even in the face of God’s judgment (Job 15:26; Isaiah 22:12-13 ^q). She tried to scare Jehu by reminding him of Zimri, who became king by killing his master but soon died himself. But Jezebel’s warning did not apply, because Jehu was acting on God’s command, not out of selfish ambition.

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v. 32-33: Jehu looked up and called out, "Who is on my side? Who?" Some of Jezebel’s own servants looked out to him, and Jehu told them to throw her down from the window. They obeyed, and Jezebel was thrown down, her blood splattering on the wall and on the horses, who trampled her underfoot (2 Kings 9:32-33 ^r). This was a shameful and violent end, showing the result of pride and cruelty. God’s justice was carried out through those who once served her.

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v. 34-35: Afterward, Jehu went inside to eat and drink. Later, he remembered that Jezebel was a king’s daughter and ordered her to be buried. But when they went to bury her, they found only her skull, feet, and hands. The dogs had eaten the rest of her body, just as the prophet had said (2 Kings 9:34-35; 2 Kings 9:10 ^s). This fulfilled God’s word exactly and showed that no one, not even a queen, can escape His judgment (1 Kings 21:23 ^t).

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v. 36-37: When Jehu heard what happened, he remembered the prophecy: "The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel." Nothing was left of her except her skull, feet, and hands. Jezebel’s name and memory became a warning to others. She had once been famous and powerful, but now she was remembered only for her wickedness. This is a reminder that the name of the wicked will rot and be forgotten (Ecclesiastes 8:10; Ecclesiastes 6:3 ^u).