2 Kings 9 3

2 Kings 9:3 kjv

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.

2 Kings 9:3 nkjv

Then take the flask of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, 'Thus says the LORD: "I have anointed you king over Israel." ' Then open the door and flee, and do not delay."

2 Kings 9:3 niv

Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, 'This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and run; don't delay!"

2 Kings 9:3 esv

Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, 'Thus says the LORD, I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and flee; do not linger."

2 Kings 9:3 nlt

and pour the oil over his head. Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: I anoint you to be the king over Israel.' Then open the door and run for your life!"

2 Kings 9 verses

2 Kings 9 3 Meaning

The prophet Elisha, through one of the sons of the prophets, issues a direct divine command: take a small flask of anointing oil, proceed to Ramoth-gilead, locate Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi, and perform the secret ritual of pouring the oil on his head. Immediately after this act, the messenger is to declare God's specific will, stating, "Thus says the LORD: I anoint you king over Israel." Following this potent declaration, the messenger is to swiftly open the door and flee without any hesitation, highlighting the extreme urgency and perilous nature of this clandestine, revolutionary act of divine commissioning.

2 Kings 9 3 Context

This verse is a direct command from the prophet Elisha, fulfilling a divine mandate originally given to Elijah (1 Kgs 19:15-16) to anoint Jehu as the instrument of God's judgment against the wicked house of Ahab, particularly King Joram of Israel and Queen Mother Jezebel, who promoted Baal worship and corruption. The setting is Ramoth-gilead, a strategic military outpost where King Joram of Israel is recovering from battle wounds. The reigning king's presence, along with the high stakes of overthrowing a royal dynasty, underscores the extreme secrecy, urgency, and danger inherent in the young prophet's mission. God, through His prophets, is orchestrating a coup to purify Israel from deep-seated idolatry.

2 Kings 9 3 Word analysis

• "Then take" (וְלָקַחְתָּ - ve'lakachta): An immediate, emphatic imperative commanding the action of acquiring the specific item for the task. It emphasizes precision and intentionality.
• "the flask" (פַּךְ - pak): A small, specialized container, typically for oil. Unlike the more permanent "horn" (qeren) used for formal royal anointings (e.g., David, Solomon), a "flask" suggests a specific, prophetic, and perhaps urgent, non-dynastic commission. It might also indicate the private, sudden nature of the event.
• "of oil" (שֶׁמֶן - shemen): Anointing oil, traditionally olive oil. This oil is a biblical symbol of divine presence, empowerment, consecration, and setting someone apart for a sacred or royal purpose.
• "and pour it" (וְיָצַקְתָּ - ve'yatsakta): An imperative demanding a complete and decisive action, not merely a light touch. It signifies a full anointing and dedication.
• "on his head": The designated and most significant place for anointing kings and high priests in the ancient Near East. It symbolizes the consecration of the whole person, particularly their authority and leadership, directly by divine act.
• "and say" (וְאָמַרְתָּ - ve'amarta): An imperative for spoken declaration, signifying that the oral word, carrying God's authority, is as crucial as the physical anointing.
• "'Thus says the LORD'" (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה - Koh amar YHWH): The foundational prophetic formula. It certifies that the following words are a direct utterance from the Almighty God, not merely a human message or opinion, granting it absolute, undeniable authority.
• "I anoint you" (מְשַׁחְתִּיךָ - meshachticha): The verb "anoint" (mashach) is the root from which "Messiah" (Mashiach, "Anointed One") derives. God declares this as a completed action through His messenger, demonstrating divine sovereignty and immediate establishment.
• "king" (מֶלֶךְ - melech): Explicitly defines Jehu's divinely appointed role and sovereign status.
• "over Israel": Establishes the specific dominion and scope of Jehu's God-given rule, encompassing the entire Northern Kingdom.
• "Then open the door" (וּפָתַחְתָּ הַדֶּלֶת - u'fatachta ha'delet): A highly practical instruction for immediate physical escape. It points to the necessity of secrecy and evasion from those who might oppose God's direct act.
• "and flee" (וְנַסְתָּ - ve'nasta): An imperative emphasizing rapid and urgent departure. This command underscores the extreme danger and political upheaval that such an act of divine revolution would inevitably trigger.
• "do not tarry" (אַל־תִּתְמַהְמַהּ - al-titmahmah): A strong prohibition against any delay whatsoever. It highlights the critical importance of speed and evasion, signifying severe consequences if the messenger were caught carrying out this subversive divine mission.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Take the flask of oil and pour it on his head": This sequence meticulously details the ceremonial procedure for the anointing, signifying a holy act of consecration performed with specific divine direction, distinct from any secular appointment.
• "and say, 'Thus says the LORD: I anoint you king over Israel.'": This section establishes the authoritative declaration as the very core of the anointing. The physical act is a conduit for the powerful divine word, making it clear that God, not human choice, is placing Jehu on the throne.
• "Then open the door and flee; do not tarry.": This culminating command underscores the urgent, clandestine, and dangerous nature of this divine commission. The immediate and swift escape reflects the inherent risk in challenging the prevailing human political power with God's ultimate authority, demanding quick obedience for the messenger's safety and the mission's success.

2 Kings 9 3 Bonus section

The seemingly anonymous nature of "one of the sons of the prophets" being sent, rather than Elisha himself, enhances the mystique and clandestine aspect of the anointing, shifting focus from the messenger to the divine origin of the message itself. This event also marks a significant step in the fulfillment of God's earlier, delayed prophecy given to Elijah concerning the total eradication of Ahab's lineage, underscoring God's meticulous and unwavering commitment to His Word. While Jehu was divinely appointed for this specific task of judgment, his later actions (2 Kgs 10:29) reveal that divine commission for one purpose does not guarantee comprehensive righteousness or continuous obedience throughout a ruler's tenure.

2 Kings 9 3 Commentary

2 Kings 9:3 serves as the catalytic moment in God's judgment against the deeply corrupt Omride dynasty. This verse outlines a clandestine divine commission delivered by Elisha through a "son of the prophets," emphasizing that God is actively intervening in Israel's history. The anointing of Jehu with oil, specifically from a "flask" rather than a ceremonial "horn," conveys both divine authority and the abrupt, specific nature of his role as an instrument of divine judgment rather than the beginning of a long-term dynasty in the same vein as David. The urgency encapsulated in the repeated commands to "flee" and "do not tarry" highlights the immediate peril and revolutionary implications of anointing a king in opposition to the reigning monarch. It is a decisive act of God's sovereignty, demonstrating His power to depose and establish rulers for the fulfillment of His righteous purposes, particularly to purge idolatry and injustice from His people. This passage showcases divine commissioning requiring swift, unquestioning obedience in the face of profound danger.