2 Kings 9 6

2 Kings 9:6 kjv

And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.

2 Kings 9:6 nkjv

Then he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel.

2 Kings 9:6 niv

Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu's head and declared, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anoint you king over the LORD's people Israel.

2 Kings 9:6 esv

So he arose and went into the house. And the young man poured the oil on his head, saying to him, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, I anoint you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel.

2 Kings 9:6 nlt

So Jehu left the others and went into the house. Then the young prophet poured the oil over Jehu's head and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anoint you king over the LORD's people, Israel.

2 Kings 9 verses

2 Kings 9 6 Meaning

This verse vividly portrays the immediate and abrupt departure of the young prophet, sent by Elisha, after he anointed Jehu as king over Israel and delivered God's explicit commission to utterly destroy the house of Ahab. His actions signify the conclusion of his divine task and the transfer of responsibility for the daunting prophecy directly to Jehu, emphasizing the swift, secretive, and urgent nature of the prophetic anointing and God's irrevocable judgment.

2 Kings 9 6 Context

The events of 2 Kings 9:6 occur within the context of God's unfolding judgment against the apostate Omri-Ahab dynasty of Israel. This verse immediately follows the anointing of Jehu by a young prophet, sent specifically by Elisha. The anointing, which took place in Ramoth-Gilead where Jehu was serving as an army commander, was a clandestine affair, initiated at Elisha's command to establish Jehu as God's instrument for the utter destruction of Ahab's entire house due to their widespread idolatry, particularly Baal worship, and their heinous injustices. The prophecy delivered with the anointing was a direct and severe pronouncement of doom upon Ahab, Jezebel, and their descendants. The prophet's swift departure after delivering this momentous and volatile message underscores the urgency and the transfer of divine imperative from messenger to recipient, leaving Jehu alone to fully grasp and execute the weighty, divinely ordained task.

2 Kings 9 6 Word analysis

• He opened (וַיִּפְתַּח – wayyiphtach from פָּתַח - patach): The verb implies a simple action of making an opening or passage. Here, it signifies the prophet creating an exit from the inner chamber where the private anointing occurred. This act is definitive; it concludes his role and sets the stage for Jehu's immediate consideration of the prophecy. It is not about a slow opening, but a decisive action marking the end of the sacred encounter.
• The door (הַדֶּלֶת – haddèlet from דֶּלֶת - delet): This refers to the literal physical entrance to the private room where Jehu and the prophet were secluded from Jehu's officers. Symbolically, it represents the boundary between the secret divine commission and the public execution that Jehu is now called to carry out. Opening it allows him to exit, completing the separation.
• And fled (וַיָּנָס – wayyanos from נוּס - nus): This is a strong verb indicating swift and hurried departure, often to escape danger or to act quickly without hesitation. In this context, it signifies several crucial elements:
  • Urgency and Secrecy: The anointing and message were to be confidential. The prophet's flight ensured no delay or exposure of the plan before Jehu could act. It emphasized the immediate, unhesitating nature of the divine command.
  • Finality of Commission: It signals that the prophet's task was completed. His role was purely to deliver the message, not to participate in the political upheaval or engage in further discussion.
  • Divine Impulse: It may reflect a profound awe or even fear of the holy power that had just manifested through him. His swift departure is an act of prophetic obedience to Elisha's earlier command ("then open the door and flee, do not wait").

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Then he opened the door and fled." This short phrase is laden with significance. It communicates the immediate cessation of the prophetic activity and the swift exit of the messenger. The prophet’s direct departure prevents any potential interrogation, doubt, or compromise of the mission before Jehu had fully absorbed its gravity. It visually reinforces the absolute authority and urgency of God’s decree; the divine word, once delivered, required no further human input or confirmation from the prophet's side. The haste also underlines the secretive and volatile nature of the undertaking, reflecting the danger and high stakes involved in overturning a royal dynasty. The "fled" suggests an escape from potential involvement or the immediate consequences, highlighting that his role was solely that of a divine conduit.

2 Kings 9 6 Bonus section

• The anonymity of the "young prophet" highlights that the focus is on the divine message and its powerful delivery, not on the identity or personal prestige of the messenger. This maintains the emphasis on God's sovereignty and authority over the unfolding events.
• The immediate flight also served as a means to prevent Jehu from questioning or delaying his task by consulting the prophet further. The message was unequivocal, and the prophet's departure left Jehu with no option but to confront the responsibility bestowed upon him.
• The act can be seen as a fulfillment of Elisha’s specific instruction in 2 Kings 9:3, demonstrating strict obedience on the part of the unnamed prophet. This reinforces the principle of absolute submission to the divine will when God's instruments are used for His purposes.

2 Kings 9 6 Commentary

The action depicted in 2 Kings 9:6—the young prophet immediately opening the door and fleeing after anointing Jehu—is far from a mere exit. It is a vital act in the divine narrative of judgment. It signifies the end of the prophet's sacred commission, leaving Jehu isolated with the immense weight of the divine command to eradicate the wicked house of Ahab. The urgency implied by "fled" underscores that the prophetic word is absolute and requires an immediate, unhesitating response. There was no room for discussion, contemplation, or delay on the prophet's part; his duty was to deliver the message precisely and then retreat, transferring the burden of action entirely to Jehu. This swift departure serves to heighten the drama and immediate political tension, signifying that the die had been cast and the time for God's swift justice against the house of Ahab had finally come. It mirrors the focused and uncompromising nature of God's impending judgment.