2 Kings 9

2 Kings 9:1

j^LND Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets. The prophet Elijah was commanded to do, this which Elisha was now about to do; but Abab’s humiliation had moved God to defer, the judgment pronounced upon him and his family; and so the execution of it was left to Elisha, who did not go himself because be was bet-: ter. known, and his business required secrecy; or, being old, he was unfit for such a journey: for the last time we read of him ho was at Damascus. This young man, who’ was now attending him, the Jews in Seder Olam Rabba say, was Jonah the son of Amittai: which is the opinion also of Abarbinel, and other Hebrew doctors. * And said, Gird up thy loins.] Which implies he was to make expedition, and dispatch his business before it could bo discovered. And take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth* 3R Microsoft ® 48G A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. IX. Gilead.] Whcro Joram had left his army; and, as somo think, they had now possessed themselves of it.

2 Kings 9:2

And when thou contest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Who some think was left commandcr-in-chief.of the king’s army. And make him rise up from among his brethren.] From the other officers of the army, (ver. 5.) And carry him to an inner chamber.’] Lest the rest of the captains should make any opposition, and apprehend him.

2 Kings 9:3

Tlten take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Tlius saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king aver Israel. The Jews think none of tho kings of Israel were anointed, but only those of the house of David: nor all they neither, but only when there was a question about the succession. For had it not been for the faction of Adonijah, there had been no need of Solomon’s unction. For which reason Jehu was anointed, because the succession to the kingdom of Israel was to be translated out of the right line of the family of Ahab unto another, family, which had no right to the kingdom, but merely by this appointment of God: who not only by his word, but by this solemn rite, constituted him king of Israel.. Then open the door and flee, and tarry not J] Lest by any means what he had done should -be discovered, and they might lay hold on him as a traitor.

2 Kings 9:4

So the young man, even the young man tlie prophet, went to Ramoth- Gilead. This argued a great faith in this young prophet, that he undertook so readily the execu-. tion of this command. For there was no small danger to anoint a new king; as Elisha himself plainly suggests; when he bade him flee away, as fast as he could, as soon as he had done.

2 Kings 9:5

And when he came, the captains of the host were, sitting. In council, I suppose, how to. carry.on the war, or about some other business. Though some fancy they were at dinner. And he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain.] Looking upon Jehu. And Jehusaid, Unto which of alius? And he said, To thee, O captain?] This shews that Jehu was the head of them, who asked the question in the name of the rest. Ver. C. And he arose, and went into the house.] Into a private room, (ver. 2.) And he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him.] The oil being poured on his head, the Jews say he anointed him with it (as the manner was) in the form of a crown: in token that Jic was the head of the people, and had tho supreme power ovqt them committed to him. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel.] They were still the people of the Lord by right and by profession, though they worshipped other gods with him. And it belonged.to him to appoint what ruler he pleased over them; which he did by his prophet. Without which authdrity, if Jehu had taken the government upon him, he had been an usurper.

2 Kings 9:7

And thon shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master. Now.ho acquaints him what God required of him upon this promotion. 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.] To execute God’s judgment on the house of Ahab, Which ho pronounced long ago, for their cruel murders of his prophets, and other good men in Israel; particularly Naboth. In this.Jehu acted not out of a spirit of private revenge, for he had no quarrel with the house of Ahab, but as God’s minister, who by his prophet authorized him to do what follows.

2 Kings 9:8

For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel. See upon 1 Kings xxi. 21.

2 Kings 9:9

And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son ofNebat, and like the house ofBaasha the son ofAhijah. See 1 Kings xiv. 10. xvi. 3.

2 Kings 9:10

And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. Sec 1 Kings xxi. 23. And he opened the door, and fled.] See ver. 3.

2 Kings 9:11

Tlien Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord. Returned to tho council-chamber, where they continued sitting, (ver. 5.) • And one said unto him, Is all well?] They seeing the prophet look like a man in a fright, thought he brought some bad news. Wherefore came this mad fellow unto thee?] So they call him, because He came in so abruptly upon them, when they were sitting in council; and because he fled away so hastily; and because they observed some motions in him which argued great disturbance. Though some think they, being profane idolaters, spake these words in scorn and contempt. And he said unto them, Ye knotv the man, and his communication.] They might know him to be a prophet by his habit, and by his way of speaking, as one that had authority. And prophets they knew commonly came to speak something concerning religion. By which general answer ho thought to have satisfied them, and put by thoir further inquiry, that he might take time to deliberate of the most opportune season to declare this message of God to him.

2 Kings 9:12

And they said, It is false, tell us now. They were confident he came about some matter of great importance, which he seeming unwilling to discover, they pressed him the harder to tell truth. And he said, Thus and thus spake he unto me, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel] It is likely tho spirit of courage, as well as of prudence, entered into Jehu, when he was anointed, so that he took heart to tell them boldly w r hat the prophet had said. And tho oil perhaps was still fresh upon his head, wherewith he anointed him, which he shewed to them.

2 Kings 9:13

And they hasted. God also moved the hearts of all the captains, immediately, without any consultation, to acknowledge him for their king. And took every man his garment, and put it under him.] They mado a kind of throne of their very garments, and raised him up above the rest of the company. Upon the top of the stairs.] They did not stay till they came down into tho street, but forthwith, upon the very top of the stairs of the place where they were sitting, acknowledged him for their sovereign, by spreading their garments under his feet, to tread upon. So Dc Dieu understands the words. There is a late author who guesses these were winding-stairs in a turret, ou the top of which