2 Kings 9 1

2 Kings 9:1 kjv

And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:

2 Kings 9:1 nkjv

And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said to him, "Get yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead.

2 Kings 9:1 niv

The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead.

2 Kings 9:1 esv

Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, "Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead.

2 Kings 9:1 nlt

Meanwhile, Elisha the prophet had summoned a member of the group of prophets. "Get ready to travel," he told him, "and take this flask of olive oil with you. Go to Ramoth-gilead,

2 Kings 9 verses

2 Kings 9 1 Meaning

2 Kings 9:1 opens with Elisha the prophet initiating a divine mission of immense historical consequence. He commissions a young prophet, one from the "sons of the prophets," with a crucial task: to journey to Ramoth-Gilead, where Israel's army is fighting, and secretly anoint Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, as king over Israel. This act signifies God's direct intervention in Israel's political and spiritual decay, setting in motion the violent eradication of the wicked house of Ahab and the establishment of Jehu's dynasty as an instrument of divine judgment.

2 Kings 9 1 Context

This verse serves as the immediate precursor to one of the most significant and violent regime changes in Israelite history. Prior to this, the northern kingdom of Israel has suffered under the deeply idolatrous and morally corrupt reign of Ahab and Jezebel, whose policies introduced Baal worship and persecuted the prophets of Yahweh. Though Ahab and his son Ahaziah had died, their evil influence continued through King Joram (Jehoram), Ahab's other son, and the dowager Queen Jezebel. Ramoth-Gilead was a strategically vital city in Transjordan, frequently contested between Israel and Syria, and currently, King Joram of Israel was wounded there in battle. This military context provides the backdrop for Jehu's anointing; he was a commander within Israel's army, already positioned for action. Elisha's command marks the divinely ordained moment for judgment upon the house of Ahab, which was long foretold by Elijah.

2 Kings 9 1 Word analysis

• וַיִּקְרָא֙ (vay-yiq-rā): "And he called." The simple consecutive past tense (waw consecutive + imperfect) immediately signals an action following prior events, connecting this verse tightly to the ongoing narrative of God's interaction with Israel. It emphasizes the immediacy and initiative taken by Elisha.
• אֱלִישָׁע֙ (Eli-sha): "Elisha." Means "God is salvation." The prophet who inherited Elijah's mantle (2 Kgs 2:13-15), embodying divine authority and action in Israel after Elijah's ascension. His calling of one of the "sons of the prophets" demonstrates his established leadership within the prophetic guild.
• הַנָּבִיא֙ (han-nā-ḇî): "the prophet." The definite article highlights his singular status and authority as the prophet, representing God's voice in Israel at that time. He is not merely a soothsayer but a divinely commissioned messenger.
• אֶחָ֤ד (e-ḥāḏ): "one." Singular numeral emphasizing the selection of a specific individual, not a group, for this covert and critical mission. This messenger would bear the weight of a divine decree.
• מִבְּנֵ֣י (mib-bə-nê): "of the sons." Indicates origin or membership from a collective. This points to the structured prophetic communities, or "schools of prophets," that existed from Samuel's time. These were training grounds and places of fellowship for prophets, operating under the guidance of leading prophets like Elisha. They fostered an environment for spiritual discernment and ministry (1 Sam 10:5-6; 2 Kgs 2:3, 4:38).
• הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים (han-nə-ḇî-’îm): "the prophets." The plural with the definite article suggests this refers to the established prophetic guilds or schools. The specific unnamed "one" sent emphasizes the anonymity and potentially the dangerous nature of the task; a well-known prophet would draw too much attention. This young prophet's role underscores the broader participation and support within the prophetic community for God's divine will.
• וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (vay-yō-mer): "And he said." Continues the immediate narrative flow, introducing Elisha's instructions.
• אֵלָ֗יו (ê-lāw): "to him." Direct address, signifying the personal and urgent nature of the message.
• חֲגֹ֤ר (ḥa-ḡōr): "Gird." Imperative verb. Literally, "fasten" or "tie up" the loose robes with a belt. This command implies urgency, readiness for vigorous activity, and preparation for a journey (Exod 12:11). It's a call to immediate, purposeful action, stripping away any delay.
• מָתְנֶ֙יךָ֙ (mā-ṯə-ne-ḵā): "your loins." The part of the body between the ribs and the hips. Symbolically, the seat of strength and readiness for physical exertion. To "gird up one's loins" means to prepare oneself for difficult, demanding, or immediate action.
• וְקַח֙ (wə-qaḥ): "and take." Imperative. Another direct command, specifying the instrument of the mission.
• אֶת־בַּקִּֽחַת־ (’eṯ-baq-qi-ḥaṯ): "this flask." A small container, usually for oil. The Hebrew pak (or bakqiḥat) specifically refers to a small, portable flask suitable for a rapid journey and a discreet act. Its small size further suggests the secrecy and urgency.
• הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן (haš-še-men): "of oil." Anointing oil, a sacred substance used for consecrating priests, kings, and objects in the Old Testament, signifying divine selection, endowment, and the Spirit of God (1 Sam 10:1; Exod 29:7; Isa 61:1). Its presence highlights the sacred nature of Jehu's forthcoming appointment.
• הַזֹּ֑את (haz-zōṯ): "this." A demonstrative pronoun emphasizing the specific flask, confirming it is prepared for this singular purpose.
• וְלֵ֥ךְ (wə-lēḵ): "and go." Imperative. The immediate instruction to depart.
• רָמֹ֖ת גִּלְעָֽד׃ (rā-mōṯ gil-ʿāḏ): "Ramoth-Gilead." A strategically crucial city east of the Jordan, often contested by Israel and Aram (Syria). Its ongoing status as a war front (1 Kgs 22:3, 2 Kgs 8:28) indicates a chaotic, military setting for the anointing, adding to the secrecy and danger of the mission. Its location also signals that this anointing is not a public, triumphal event in a royal capital, but a swift, necessary action amidst conflict.

Words-group analysis:

• "Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets": This highlights the established prophetic authority of Elisha and the operational network of the "sons of the prophets" under his guidance. This community served as a spiritual reservoir and practical support system for prophetic ministry, preparing individuals for critical divine missions.
• "Gird up your loins and take this flask of oil": This dual command encapsulates both the urgency ("gird up") and the divine instrumentality ("flask of oil") of the mission. It is a sacred task that demands immediate, physical readiness.
• "go to Ramoth-Gilead": This specifies the destination, a frontier city known for its ongoing military conflicts. The setting is one of war and immediate action, not of peace or royal court, signaling that Jehu's anointing is intrinsically tied to a military uprising and swift execution of judgment.

2 Kings 9 1 Bonus section

The anonymity of the "young man" or "son of the prophets" chosen for this mission (who is referred to as "one of the sons of the prophets" and later simply "the young man the prophet" in verse 4) is noteworthy. It highlights the divine emphasis on the message and the anointing, not on the messenger's fame. This contrasts sharply with a more public or ritualistic anointing, reinforcing the clandestine and urgent nature of the assignment. The choice of Ramoth-Gilead for the anointing itself is critical. It was a site of Israelite and Judean military engagement against Syria, where Ahab and King Ahaziah (Joram's predecessor) were wounded or killed, symbolically linking Jehu's rise with the judgment beginning in the very place of previous kings' struggles. This military setting provides a cover for the unusual act of anointing, which effectively constitutes an act of treason against the reigning king if revealed prematurely. The brevity of Elisha's instructions implies prior divine communication or perhaps an understanding already established between Elisha and the prophetic schools concerning the house of Ahab's impending doom.

2 Kings 9 1 Commentary

2 Kings 9:1 marks the solemn and highly significant beginning of God's swift and dramatic judgment upon the house of Ahab, long prophesied by Elijah (1 Kgs 21:20-24). Elisha, operating under divine instruction, does not personally execute the anointing but delegates it to a lesser-known prophet from the prophetic schools. This delegation likely serves multiple purposes: to maintain the element of surprise crucial for the anointing's success, to shield Elisha from direct implication in the coming political upheaval until the appropriate moment, and perhaps to demonstrate the broad divine support within the prophetic community for this action. The command to "gird your loins" is a call for utmost speed and determination, reflecting the urgency of God's timetable for judgment against the entrenched idolatry and wickedness of the reigning dynasty. The "flask of oil" is not a lavish horn, as used for Saul or David, suggesting a quick, private, functional anointing, indicative of a direct, divine mandate for a specific, forceful task rather than a traditional coronation. Ramoth-Gilead, as the designated location, underscores that God's chosen instrument, Jehu, will emerge from the midst of the ongoing conflict, embodying God's judgment and carrying it out militarily. This verse is not just a logistical command but the activation of God's precise and relentless justice in the historical narrative of Israel.