2 Kings 9

2 Kings 9:1-10

We have here, 1. ‘John anointed king, and commissioned to destroy the house of Ahab, vers. 1—10. 2. His communicating is to his captain, vers. 11—15. 3. His march to Jezreel, vers. 16—20. 4. ‘Joram king of Israel sailed by him, vers. 20—26. 5. Ahaziah king of Judah wounded and died, vers. 27—29. 6. Jezreel’s death, vers. 30—37.

1. AND Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, ‘Girl up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. 2. And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Ninshu, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber. 3. Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel: then open the door, and flee, and tarry not. 4. ¶ So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. 5. And when he came, behold, the captains of the land were fleeing; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jeho said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain. 6. And he arose, and went into the house, and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel. 7. And thou shalt smit the house of Ahab thy mother, 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 him that pitfeth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel. 9. And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Basha the son of Ahijah. 10. And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled.

Elisha, according to the command of Elisha, who had delegated to him this office, had before appointed Hazael to the throne of Syria, and now sends one to anoint Jehu to the throne of Israel.

1. He calls one of the young prophets to him, and giving him a box of oil, directly him to go to Ramoth-gilead, where Jehu probably commanded, and calling him aside into an inner chamber, for secrecy and security, left the other captains should discover the design, and it might endanger him, anoint him in God’s name king of Israel, and give him the charge, v. 7—10.

5 M then II. RYNGS.

Before Christ than the immediately. Nate, (1.) When we are employed in God’s work, seal and diligence are necessary. (2.) We must not expose ourselves to needless danger; whilst in the way of duty we should be ever fearless. (3.) They who are sent of God, must be faithful in delivering their message as they have received it of the Lord, whether it be good or bad.

2. The commission is executed with all dispatch and fidelity. He comes to Ramesh-gilead, goes to the place where they were assembled, either at an entertainment, or in council; addresses himself to Jehu, and on repeating it, at his position, that his business was with him, Jehu takes the prophet afide. Hereupon he invites him with the regal power over God’s people, and I therefore him to execute God’s utter vengeance in the occupation of the house of Ahab, the measure of whole iniquities the kind of God’s prophets had filled up. His business finished, he infatuely departed, to acquaint Elisha with what he had done. Nate, (1.) Though God’s people are unfaithful, he does not utterly call them off, but still sometimes his constant relation to them. (2.) They who rule, must remember whence all power is derived, and he humble; and for what end it is given, that they may employ it to God’s glory. (3.) Perfections of God’s people are among the most heinous offenders: against all such his love is bent, and his arrows ready on the firing. (4.) They who persist in impenitence, will be roosted out at the fall.

3. ¶ Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord, and our said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came “this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man and his communication. 12. And they said, Is it false, tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus tjuke he to me, saying, Thus faith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. 13. Then they haffed, and took every man his garments, and put it under him on the top of the flairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king. 14. So Jehu the son of Jehoftaphat the son of Nimsha confused against Joram: (Now Joram had kept Ramesh-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.) 15. But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel, of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth our escape out of the city, to go to tell it in Jezreel.

4. 11—15. Jehu returned, no doubt, with concern upon his countenance, resolving to wait till a favourable opportunity offered, and this was quickly given him.

5. The captains enquire of him what message this mad fellow brought; so did these great men regard the holy prophets of God, whose lives of self-denial and deadness to the world, appeared to them real madness. Jehu believes it felt, and would put them off with an earlier answer, as if they might easily goeth what message such a kind of man brought, some religious reproof, or warning, no doubt. But they respected them was more in the matter than he spoke, as perhaps the confusion and thought in which he appeared, indicated. At last, when he saw them eager to know, he told them plainly, and refused immediately to try, trusting on the Divine promise, what effect it would produce. Nate, (1.) It is not the last time God’s zealous servants have been called madmen. Thus Paul was branded, and even the blessed Jehu; let none of his followers therefore marvel, if a carnal world still thus judge of them. (2.) If worldly men expect from God’s prophets reproof and religious conversation, let them not be disappointed by an endeavour to secure their regard at the expense of silence, or any failed compliance with them.

6. They no sooner hear, than with unanimous voice they salute him king, God so inclining their hearts; and in public, setting him on an eminent fear, with carpets to superbly spread under him, they blew with trumpets, and tender him their allegiance. Jehu resolves, with their advice, to prevent intelligence being carried to Joram, and influency to surprise him in Jezreel, unprepared to make any resistance. Nate, (1.) Wicked kings are on a tottering throne. A spark will easily kindle general discontent into a flame. (2.) A terrible destruction hangs over the fittest’s head; and death, whenever it comes, will surprise him unprepared.

7. So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel, (for Joram lay there) and Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram. 17. And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and he said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace? 18. So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said,

Thus faith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again. 19. Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus faith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. 20. And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimsha; for he driveeth furiously. 21. And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel, and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22. And it came to pain when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, ‘What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts are so many? 23. And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah. 24. And Jehu § drew a bow with his full thought, and fimote Jeburam between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he funk down in his chariot. 25. Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him. 26. Surely, I have seen yesterday the § blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, faith the LORD, and I will requite thee in this plat, faith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground according to the word of the LORD. 27. ¶ But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden-house: and Jehu followed after him, and said, ‘Senter him also in the chariot: And they did so, at the going up to Our, which is by Ibleam: and he fled to Megid-do, and died there. 28. And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David. 29. And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab, began Ahaziah to reign over Judah.

9. 16—20. As success depended upon the swiftness of their roar, we have them, chariots and horsemen, with eager haffes pressing toward Jezreel.

10. The watchman on the tower desires at a distance the approaching company, and Joram, desirous to know the cause, sends out repeated messengers, whom Jehu desirous. As he drew nearer, the watchman, by his furious driving, concludes it was Jehu, and the half from Ramesh-gilead. Nate, Is it too late to enquire, Is it peace? when the sword is unbreathed, and Jehu with his holy appears, coming in the clouds of heaven to judge.

11. Unable through impatience to wait, or rather through divine infatuation hurried to his ruin, Joram orders his chariot, and haffes to meet Jehu, and Ahaziah accompanies him; and where should they meet but in the very spot of Naboth’s vineyard. Joram, unfulfarious of danger, seems only concerned to know, whether they came without over the Syrians in triumph, or in flight so compelled; till Jehu’s ardent underloved him, and the charge of his mother’s idolatry and whoredoms, which he encouraged and copied, hid him despair of peace, and expect the sword of an avenging God. Nate, (1.) Providence, in many instances, by strange events makes God’s justice appear glorious in the eyes of men. (2.) Peace is full the finer’s cry, when ruin is at his very heels. (3.) The whoredoms that now are the finer’s pleasure, will shortly produce his everlasting pain.

12. Too late the treachery is discovered, and Joram attempts to escape; but the arrow from Jehu’s bow stops his flight, and, as the executioner of the divine vengeance, Jehu commands his captain to throw his dead corpse in the vineyard of Naboth, according to the prophecy, 1 Kegs. xxi. 19. Nor must Ahaziah be spared: since he is found in each had company, he must fall with them. Nate, (1.) When judgment overtakes the fittest, it is then too late to fly. (2.) They who are found companions of fools, will be destroyed with them.

13. ¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and the painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. 31. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, ‘Had Zimri peace, who flew his matter? 32. And he lift up his face to the window,

Indorsed By

I don’t know, and said, ‘Who is on my side? who? And then looked out to him two or three eunuchs. 33. And he said, ‘I know her down. So they threw her down; and four of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the hordes: and he trode her under foot. 34. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see ’this curled woman,’ and bury her: for ‘she is a king’s daughter. 35. And they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the fluff, and the fere and the palms of her hands. 36. Wherefore they came again, and told him: and he said, ‘This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tribute, saying, In the portion of Jezreel: shall shape the flesh of Jezebel: 37. And the carcals of Jezebel: shall be as dung upon the face of the field, in the portion of Jezebel, so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.’

2 Kings 9:30-37

Long had this hateful moniker of a woman, big with mischief, dispensed her hateful influence around, defying God, and tempted by long impunity to think the should ever reign as a queen, and for no sorrow. But vengeance, though slow, is lost.

1. Her pride and infolence endured to the fact. Unhumbled under the scourge now fallen upon her house, the mother fled nor changed her countenance. Decked with paint and jewels, the would still act the queen, and from her word to dress infall and threaten the conquering Jehu. Note, (1.) When God in just judgment gives up the honor to his hundred heart, then he rushes on ruin as the horse into the battle. (2.) A painted face is the devil’s mark. Like Jezebel, whom fools inmate, their pride will have a fall. (3.) They who would act with scarf for God, will be often infested and threatened; but like Jehu, they will not be intimidated.

2. Jehu mocking her impotent rage, calls out hastily, if he is on my side? Who? and some eunuchs appearing at the summons, he bids them throw her down, which out of hatred of her pride, or fear of Jehu, they instantly complied with, and her blood beimeared the walls of the palace, and was sprinkled on Jehu’s hordes, as he drove over her corps. Note, (1.) There is no flashing neuter between Christ and Belial. If we are on the Lord’s side, we must appear for him. (2.) Wickedness and wretchedness are inseparable. Though for a time the same lifts his head high, it will be laid shortly low in the dust, and still lower in hell.

3. Having taken possession of the palace, and refreshed himself after his march, in respect for her royal descent, Jehu designs Jezebel a grave, forgetting the denunciation pronounced upon her, but God had fulfilled his own word. The dogs had devoured her carcals, and only a few scattered dogs, on or against; of which when Jehu was informed, he reflected on the word of Elijah, and admired its awful accomplishment. She that alive was so imperious, cruel, and arrogant, is devoured as a carion, and denied even a grave. Note, (1.) Whether we intend it or not, the word of the Lord will have its exact accomplishment. (2.) Not only the corpse, but the very memory of the wicked shall rot. (3.) Let Jezebel’s fate be a warning against her sins.