2 Kings 9 2

2 Kings 9:2 kjv

And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;

2 Kings 9:2 nkjv

Now when you arrive at that place, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in and make him rise up from among his associates, and take him to an inner room.

2 Kings 9:2 niv

When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room.

2 Kings 9:2 esv

And when you arrive, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. And go in and have him rise from among his fellows, and lead him to an inner chamber.

2 Kings 9:2 nlt

and find Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. Call him into a private room away from his friends,

2 Kings 9 verses

2 Kings 9 2 Meaning

This verse conveys the specific, urgent, and divinely mandated instructions from the prophet Elisha to one of the sons of the prophets. He is commanded to take a flask of oil and, without hesitation, go to Ramoth-gilead, secretly anoint Jehu (a military commander) as king over Israel, deliver the powerful prophetic declaration "Thus says the Lord," and immediately flee the scene. This act initiates God's pre-ordained judgment against the wicked house of Ahab and the reestablishment of His divine authority over Israel.

2 Kings 9 2 Context

This verse sets in motion the fulfillment of a prophecy initially given by God to Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kgs 19:15-17). Years later, Elijah's successor, Elisha, now acts on this divine command. The setting is Ramoth-gilead, where the Israelite army, led by King Joram of Israel, is at war with Aram. The political and religious climate in Israel under the Omride dynasty (King Joram was Ahab's son) was deeply corrupted by Baal worship, driven largely by Queen Jezebel. God's patience had run out, and Jehu's anointing marks the beginning of His violent purge of the Omride household and their idolatry. The instructions emphasize secrecy and urgency because this anointing constitutes a direct challenge to the reigning king and initiates a divinely sanctioned coup, making the messenger's task dangerous.

2 Kings 9 2 Word analysis

• Then take: (וְלָקַחְתָּ - ve-lakachta) This imperative stresses an immediate and decisive action. It signifies a direct command from the prophet, emphasizing that the servant must not deviate from the instructions given.
• the oil flask: (אֶת־פַּךְ הַשֶּׁמֶן - et-pakh ha-shemen)
  • פַּךְ (pakh): Refers to a small, private flask or cruse, often associated with a prophet. Its size implies discretion and secrecy, as opposed to a larger, ceremonial horn of oil used for public anointings.
  • הַשֶּׁמֶן (ha-shemen): "the oil." This is the holy anointing oil, signifying divine consecration, empowerment, and setting apart for a special purpose. Its use here immediately signals a sacred and sovereign act of commissioning. It's a visible token of an invisible spiritual reality.
• and pour it: (וְיָצַקְתָּ - ve-yatzakta) To pour abundantly, not merely sprinkle or daub. This act symbolizes a complete and overwhelming endowment with divine authority and purpose. The physical action signifies the full transfer of God's enabling power.
• on his head: (עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ - al rosho) The head is universally recognized as the seat of authority and leadership. Anointing the head was the established practice for kings, priests, and occasionally prophets, indicating a divine selection that empowered the entire person for their role.
• and say,: (וְאָמַרְתָּ - ve'amarta) Another imperative. The spoken word is as critical as the physical act, confirming the divine authority behind the anointing. The ritual needs an authoritative verbal declaration.
• ‘Thus says the Lord,: (כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה - koh-amar YHVH) This is the authoritative prophetic formula, affirming that the following message comes directly from God Himself, Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It removes any ambiguity or human bias, declaring Jehu's kingship to be of divine, not human, origin. It serves as a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the reigning Omride dynasty, implicitly condemning their idolatry.
• I anoint you: (מְשַׁחְתִּיךָ - meshach-ticha) From the verb מָשַׁח (mashach), meaning "to smear" or "anoint." This is the root from which the Hebrew "Messiah" and Greek "Christos" (meaning "Anointed One") are derived. The first-person "I" strongly attributes the anointing action directly to God. It highlights Jehu as God's specially chosen instrument for His purpose.
• king: (לְמֶלֶךְ - l'melekh) The explicit designation of the specific role: not just a military commander, but the sovereign ruler over the nation. This marked an abrupt and radical change in leadership.
• over Israel.’: (עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל - al-Yisrael) Specifies the realm of Jehu's divinely appointed authority—the northern kingdom of Israel, marking him as the successor to the existing monarchy. This emphasizes God's continued involvement in the governance of His people.
• Then open the door: (וּפָתַחְתָּ אֶת־הַדֶּלֶת - u-fatachta et-ha-delet) A rapid, decisive, practical instruction, stressing the urgency of egress.
• and flee,: (וּבָרַחְתָּ - u-varachta) To run away, escape quickly. This command signifies the extreme danger and secretive nature of the mission. Jehu's anointing was an act of treason against the reigning king; therefore, the messenger had to escape before the immediate consequences or repercussions could materialize.
• do not wait.”: (וְלֹא תְחַכֶּה - ve-lo t'chakke) A strong negative imperative, underscoring the absolute necessity of haste and the absence of any pause for questions, conversation, or witnessing the aftermath. Delay would invite grave danger or compromise the mission's covert nature.

2 Kings 9 2 Bonus section

• The instruction for the messenger to flee highlights the human vulnerability involved in divine missions. Despite being under God's command, the servant was still subject to worldly dangers from the existing regime.
• The entire encounter (anointing and escape) likely took place in a private, possibly even hidden, setting within Ramoth-gilead, among Jehu's military commanders, given the secretive nature implied by the instructions.
• The 'son of the prophets' acts here as a pure vessel for God's word and action, detached from any personal ambition, serving only as a conduit for the divine decree and physical anointing.

2 Kings 9 2 Commentary

This verse initiates a profound moment of divine judgment and sovereignty. Elisha’s meticulous instructions underscore that Jehu’s rise to power was not a mere military coup or political maneuver, but a direct fulfillment of God's long-standing plan. The "flask of oil," contrasting with the more common "horn of oil" for public coronations, subtly suggests the initial clandestine nature of Jehu’s anointing, highlighting the sensitivity and danger of the act. The prophet's envoy performs the ritual swiftly and delivers the divine decree, affirming "Thus says the Lord," making it clear that this revolutionary act is solely under Yahweh’s authority, not human ambition. This specific anointing was God's direct answer to the pervasive idolatry of the Omride dynasty. The urgency for the messenger to "flee" and "not wait" serves as a stark indication of the immediate, dangerous, and violent repercussions anticipated from this divinely ordained rebellion. It shows God's use of even harsh measures to cleanse His people and restore His worship.