2 Kings

2 Kings 9:1-3

This young prophet was one of the sons of the prophets from the school.  This may have been this young man's first big assignment.  While there is no way of knowing, Jewish traditions say this young man was Jonah.  He was to find Jehu in Rmoth Gilead and annoint him as King.  Joram (or Jehoram), the son of Ahab of the line of Omri was king over Israel at this time.  In 1 Kings 21God announced judgment on on the house of Ahab.  But when Ahab repented, God delayed the judgment to the son of Ahab.  The annointing of Jehu is the beginning of the fulfillment of that prophecy.

2 Kings 9:4-10

The young prophet enters into the midst of the army and calls Jehu aside to make this annointing.  This is the only annointing of a king of the Northern kingdom.  He repeats the judgment of 1 Kings 21 as marching orders from God for Jehu and then runs.  The secret annointing allowed Jehu to choose the time to make it known.

2 Kings 9:11-13

It's not hard to imagine that Jehu was disturbed and shocked at what just happened; beside the fact he was covered with oil.  Jehu tried to deflect their quesitons and play the prophet off as a crazy man.  But they saw he was bothered and pressed the issue till he revealed to them what said.  These men laid down their coats before him much like we envision the triumphal entry.  This was a show of respect and homage.  Their willingness to turn from their king to follow Jehu and call him king shows their lack of satisfaction with Jehoram and probably speaks to Jehu's leadership. 

2 Kings 9:14-26

The army was fighting the Syrians.  Jehu had led the army until he was injured.  He had returned to Jezreel to heal up.  Once Jehu was declared king he went to Jezreel.  The news of Jehu's annointing would travel fast so he had to get to Jezreel before the news.  It doesn't seem like there was too much loyalty towards Jehoram, the horsemen sent out quickly fell in behind Jehu.  Jehoran wend to meet Jehu with Amaziah, king of Judah at his side.  But this offered him no security.  Jehu's violent overthrow had begun. 

Verse 26 adds some additional information from Ahab's plot to take Naboth's vineyard.  Ahab apparently killed all of the sons of Naboth also; possibly so there would be no one to inherit the land.  Jehoram is cast on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite and his sons (verse26). 

2 Kings 9:27-29

Ahaziah, King of Judah, was also killed by Jehu.  There was no previous direction or indication Jehu was to kill Ahaziah.  Yet, with his association with the idolatrous kings of Israel, its not unrealistic to think the Lord moved him to end his reign.

2 Kings 9:30-29

Jezebel heard of Jehu coming and made a sarcastic comment to him.  Zimri was the assasin of a previous king.  It could also refer to Jehu having the same fate; he was killed 7 days after becoming king. 

This was a big day for the eunuchs who had worked for Jezebel and put up with her for so long.  They were more than happy to oblige Jehu. 

See also Hosea 1:4 God would soon bring judgment on Jehu for the bloodshed of Jezreel.

©2016 Doug Ford