Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 9

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 9:1, Elisha sends a young prophet with instructions to anoint Jehu at Ramoth-gilead; 2 Kings 9:4, The prophet having done his message, flees; 2 Kings 9:11, Jehu, being made king by the soldiers, kills Joram in the field of Naboth; 2 Kings 9:27, Ahaziah is slain at Gur, and buried at Jerusalem; 2 Kings 9:30, Proud Jezebel is thrown down out of a window, and eaten by dogs.

Verse 1

1 Kings 20:35

one: The Jews say that this was Jonah, the prophet, the son of Amittai.

the children: 2 Kings 4:1, 2 Kings 6:1-3

Gird up thy loins: As the upper garments of the Orientals were long and flowing, it was indispensably necessary to tuck up the skirts with a girdle about their loins, in order to use any expedition in their work or on a journey. 2 Kings 4:29, 1 Kings 18:46, Jeremiah 1:17, Luke 12:35-37, 1 Peter 1:13

box of oil: 1 Samuel 10:1, 1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Kings 1:39

Ramothgilead: 2 Kings 8:28, 2 Kings 8:29, Deuteronomy 4:1, Deuteronomy 4:3, 1 Kings 22:4, 1 Kings 22:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 4:13 - Ramothgilead 1 Kings 19:16 - Jehu 2 Kings 2:3 - And the sons 1 Chronicles 6:80 - Ramoth 2 Chronicles 18:2 - Ramothgilead 2 Chronicles 22:7 - the Lord had

Verse 2

Jehu: Jehoram having retired from the army, Jehu seems to have been left first in command, having been long employed by Ahab's family. 2 Kings 9:14, 1 Kings 19:16, 1 Kings 19:17

among his brethren: 2 Kings 9:5, 2 Kings 9:11

inner chamber: Heb. chamber in a chamber, 1 Kings 20:30, 1 Kings 22:25, *marg.

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:38 - Jehu

Verse 3

pour it: Exodus 29:7, Leviticus 8:12, 1 Samuel 16:13, 1 Kings 19:16

I have anointed: 2 Kings 8:13, 1 Samuel 9:16, 1 Samuel 15:1, 1 Samuel 15:17, 1 Samuel 16:12, Psalms 75:6, Psalms 75:7, Proverbs 8:15, Proverbs 8:16, Jeremiah 27:5-7, Daniel 2:1, Daniel 4:35, Daniel 5:18, John 19:10, John 19:11

and flee: 1 Samuel 16:2, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 10:16

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:1 - a vial 1 Kings 1:34 - Zadok 2 Kings 9:6 - I have anointed 2 Kings 9:10 - he opened 2 Kings 11:12 - anointed him

Verse 4

the young man: Hannaâr hannavee, not as some would render, "the servant of the prophet," but, as correctly rendered by our venerable translators, "the young man, the prophet;" for הנער, hannaâr, "the young man," is not in regimine, but in appositione, with הנביא, hannavee, "the prophet." 2 Kings 9:4

Verse 5

I have an errand: Judges 3:19

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 9:27 - that I may 2 Kings 4:13 - to the captain 2 Kings 9:2 - among his brethren 2 Kings 15:25 - a captain

Verse 6

he arose: Acts 23:18, Acts 23:19

I have anointed: 2 Kings 9:3, 1 Kings 1:34, 1 Kings 19:16, 2 Chronicles 22:7, Psalms 2:6, *marg. Psalms 75:6, Isaiah 45:1, Daniel 2:21, Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 5:20, Daniel 5:21

over the people: 1 Kings 3:8, 1 Kings 10:9, 1 Kings 14:7, 1 Kings 16:2

Reciprocal: Judges 3:19 - a secret 1 Samuel 9:27 - that I may 1 Samuel 16:1 - horn with oil 1 Samuel 16:13 - anointed 1 Kings 17:14 - thus saith 2 Kings 9:12 - Thus and thus

Verse 7

I may avenge: Deuteronomy 32:35, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalms 94:1-7, Matthew 23:35, Luke 18:7, Luke 18:8, Romans 12:19, Romans 13:4, Hebrews 10:30, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 6:10, Revelation 18:20, Revelation 19:2

at the hand: 2 Kings 9:32-37, 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 21:15, 1 Kings 21:21, 1 Kings 21:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:3 - avenge the Lord 1 Kings 15:29 - he left not 2 Kings 8:18 - the house 2 Kings 10:10 - the Lord hath done 2 Kings 10:16 - Come with me Job 27:14 - children Jeremiah 26:5 - my Revelation 2:20 - that woman

Verse 8

I will cut off: 1 Kings 14:10, 1 Kings 14:11, 1 Kings 21:21, 1 Kings 21:22

him that pisseth: 1 Samuel 25:22

him that is shut up: 2 Kings 14:26, Deuteronomy 32:36

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:18 - the house 2 Kings 10:17 - he slew 1 Chronicles 12:1 - while he yet Nehemiah 6:10 - shut up Job 27:14 - children

Verse 9

like the house: 1 Kings 14:10, 1 Kings 14:11, 1 Kings 15:29, 1 Kings 21:22

and like the house: 1 Kings 16:3-5, 1 Kings 16:11, 1 Kings 16:12

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:21 - him that is shut up

Verse 10

the dogs: 2 Kings 9:35, 2 Kings 9:36, 1 Kings 21:23, Jeremiah 22:19

he opened: 2 Kings 9:3, Judges 3:26

Reciprocal: Joshua 17:16 - Jezreel Jeremiah 16:4 - as dung

Verse 11

Is all well: 2 Kings 9:17, 2 Kings 9:19, 2 Kings 9:22, 2 Kings 4:26, 2 Kings 5:21

this mad fellow: It is probable there was something peculiar in the young prophet's manner and address, similar to the vehement actions sometimes used by the prophets when under the Divine influence, which caused the bystanders to use this contemptuous language. Isaiah 59:15, *marg. Jeremiah 29:26, Hosea 9:7, Mark 3:21, John 10:20, Acts 17:18, Acts 26:24, 1 Corinthians 4:10, 2 Corinthians 5:13

Reciprocal: Matthew 11:18 - He Matthew 26:61 - This John 9:29 - as for

Verse 12

Thus and thus: 2 Kings 9:6-10

Verse 13

and took every: The spreading of garments in the street, before persons to whom it was intended to shew particular honour, was an ancient and very general custom; the garments in these cases being used for carpets. In the Agamemnon of Aschylus, the hypocritical Clytemnestra commands the maids to spread carpets before her returning husband, that on his descending from his chariot he may place his foot on "a purple-covered path." We also find this custom among the Romans. Plutarch relates, that when Cato of Utica left the Macedonian army, where he had become legionary tribune, the soldiers spread their clothes in the way. Matthew 21:7, Matthew 21:8, Mark 11:7, Mark 11:8

on the top: The ancient fortified cities were generally strengthened with a citadel - Judges 9:46, Judges 9:51, commonly built on an eminence, to which they ascended by a flight of stairs - Nehemiah 3:15. It is extremely probable, therefore, that Ramoth-gilead, being a frontier town of Israel and Syria, had a tower of this nature; and that Jehu was proclaimed king on the top of the stairs by which they ascended the hill on which the tower stood, i.e., in the area before the door of the tower, and consequently the most public place in the city.

blew with trumpets: 2 Samuel 15:10, 1 Kings 1:34, 1 Kings 1:39, Psalms 47:5-7, Psalms 98:6

is king: Heb. reigneth

Reciprocal: Judges 3:27 - he blew 2 Chronicles 23:13 - sounded Luke 19:35 - they cast Acts 21:40 - on

Verse 14

conspired: 2 Kings 9:31, 2 Kings 8:12-15, 2 Kings 10:9, 2 Kings 15:30, 1 Kings 15:27, 1 Kings 16:7, 1 Kings 16:9, 1 Kings 16:16

kept Ramothgilead: 2 Kings 8:28, 1 Kings 22:3

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 4:13 - Ramothgilead 1 Kings 19:15 - Hazael 1 Kings 19:17 - the sword of Jehu 2 Kings 9:2 - Jehu 2 Kings 15:25 - conspired

Verse 15

Joram: Heb. Jehoram

returned: 2 Kings 8:29, 2 Chronicles 22:6

had given: Heb. smote

none go forth: Heb. no escaper go forth, 1 Samuel 27:9-11

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:18 - Jezreel 2 Kings 8:28 - he went 1 Chronicles 13:2 - If it seem

Verse 16

And Ahaziah: 2 Kings 8:28, 2 Kings 8:29, 2 Chronicles 22:6, 2 Chronicles 22:7

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 18:45 - Ahab

Verse 17

a watchman: 2 Samuel 13:34, 2 Samuel 18:24, Isaiah 21:6-9, Isaiah 21:11, Isaiah 21:12, Isaiah 56:10, Isaiah 62:6, Ezekiel 33:2-9, Acts 20:26-31

Take an horseman: 2 Kings 7:14

Is it peace: 2 Kings 9:19, 1 Samuel 16:4, 1 Samuel 17:22, 1 Kings 2:15, Luke 10:5, Luke 10:6

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 5:21 - Is all well 2 Kings 9:11 - Is all well 2 Kings 9:22 - Is it peace Habakkuk 2:1 - tower

Verse 18

What hast thou to do: 2 Kings 9:19, 2 Kings 9:22, Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 59:8, Jeremiah 16:5, Romans 3:17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 2:13 - Comest 2 Kings 9:31 - peace

Verse 19

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 9:11 - Is all well 2 Kings 9:17 - Is it peace 2 Kings 9:18 - What hast thou to do

Verse 20

driving: or, marching, Habakkuk 1:6, Habakkuk 3:12

for he driveth: 2 Kings 10:16, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 54:16, Daniel 11:44

furiously: Heb. in madness

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 18:27 - thinketh

Verse 21

Make ready: Heb. bind, 1 Kings 20:14, *marg. Micah 1:13

Joram: 2 Chronicles 22:7

met: Heb. found, Numbers 20:14, *marg.

the portion of Naboth: 2 Kings 9:25, 1 Kings 21:1-7, 1 Kings 21:15, 1 Kings 21:18, 1 Kings 21:19

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:26 - one year 2 Kings 10:13 - the brethren 2 Kings 10:15 - lighted on

Verse 22

Is it peace: 2 Kings 9:17

What peace: 2 Kings 9:18, Isaiah 57:19-21

the whoredoms: 1 Kings 16:30-33, 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 19:1, 1 Kings 19:2, 1 Kings 21:8-10, 1 Kings 21:25, Nahum 3:4, Revelation 2:20-23, Revelation 17:4, Revelation 17:5, Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:23

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 16:4 - Comest 1 Kings 1:42 - a valiant 1 Kings 18:19 - eat at Jezebel's table 1 Kings 22:8 - concerning me 1 Kings 22:52 - in the way 2 Kings 3:2 - and like 2 Kings 9:11 - Is all well 1 Chronicles 12:17 - If ye be come 2 Chronicles 18:7 - me 2 Chronicles 21:11 - fornication 2 Chronicles 21:13 - a whoring Esther 2:21 - and sought Proverbs 7:10 - the attire Isaiah 57:21 - General Hosea 2:4 - children of

Verse 23

There is treachery: 2 Kings 11:14, 2 Chronicles 23:13

Verse 24

drew a bow with his full strength: Heb. filled his hand with a bow

smote: 1 Kings 22:34, Job 20:23-25, Psalms 50:22, Proverbs 21:30, Ecclesiastes 8:12, Ecclesiastes 8:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:3

sunk: Heb. bowed

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:49 - smote 2 Kings 8:15 - so that he died 2 Kings 10:4 - Behold 2 Kings 15:10 - slew him 2 Chronicles 35:23 - the archers Hosea 1:4 - and I Hosea 7:7 - devoured

Verse 25

the Lord: 1 Kings 21:19, 1 Kings 21:24-29, Isaiah 13:1, Jeremiah 23:33-38, Nahum 1:1, Malachi 1:1, Matthew 11:30

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:29 - in his son's days 2 Kings 9:21 - the portion of Naboth 2 Kings 10:17 - according 2 Kings 11:18 - went 2 Kings 15:12 - And so Psalms 37:10 - thou Isaiah 14:19 - thou Ezekiel 12:10 - This Hosea 1:4 - and I

Verse 26

blood of Naboth: Heb. bloods of Naboth

of his sons: Deuteronomy 24:16, 2 Chronicles 24:25, 2 Chronicles 25:4

I will requite: Exodus 20:5, Deuteronomy 5:9, Ezekiel 18:19

plat: or, portion

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:10 - crieth 1 Kings 2:31 - that thou 1 Kings 21:13 - they carried him 1 Kings 21:19 - In the place 1 Kings 21:29 - in his son's days 2 Kings 9:33 - and he trode 2 Kings 10:17 - according 2 Kings 15:12 - And so 2 Chronicles 6:23 - requiting Job 12:21 - poureth Psalms 10:14 - to requite Proverbs 28:17 - General Jeremiah 32:18 - recompensest Micah 2:2 - so Habakkuk 2:10 - consulted

Verse 27

Ahaziah: 2 Kings 8:29, Numbers 16:26, 2 Chronicles 22:7-9, Proverbs 13:20, 2 Corinthians 6:17

garden house: 1 Kings 21:2

Ibleam: Joshua 17:11, Judges 1:27

Megiddo: "In the kingdom of Samaria." 2 Kings 23:29, 2 Kings 23:30, Judges 1:27, Judges 5:19, 1 Kings 4:12, 2 Chronicles 22:9

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 9:15 - Megiddo 2 Kings 10:4 - Behold 2 Kings 11:1 - the mother 2 Kings 12:1 - the seventh 1 Chronicles 7:29 - Megiddo 2 Chronicles 35:22 - Megiddo Psalms 109:14 - let not

Verse 28

2 Kings 12:21, 2 Kings 14:19, 2 Kings 14:20, 2 Kings 23:20, 2 Chronicles 25:28, 2 Chronicles 35:24

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:29 - Ramah 2 Kings 23:30 - servants 2 Chronicles 22:9 - Because

Verse 29

in the eleventh: 2 Kings 8:16, 2 Kings 8:24, 2 Chronicles 21:18, 2 Chronicles 21:19, 2 Chronicles 22:1, 2 Chronicles 22:2

began Ahaziah: "Then he began to reign as viceroy to his father in his sickness." 2 Chronicles 21:18, 2 Chronicles 21:19,"But in Joram's twelfth year, he began to reign alone. 2 Kings 8:25.

Verse 30

Jezebel: 1 Kings 19:1, 1 Kings 19:2

painted her face: Heb. put her eyes in painting, Jeremiah 4:30, Ezekiel 23:40

tired: Isaiah 3:18-24, Ezekiel 24:17, 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:10, 1 Peter 3:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:16 - window Numbers 16:27 - and stood Joshua 19:18 - Jezreel 1 Kings 16:31 - Jezebel 1 Kings 21:23 - Jezebel Proverbs 6:25 - take Proverbs 7:10 - the attire Isaiah 3:9 - The show Revelation 2:20 - that woman Revelation 9:8 - hair

Verse 31

Zimri: 1 Kings 16:9-20

peace: 2 Kings 9:18-22

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:27 - and stood 1 Kings 16:10 - Zimri 1 Kings 16:15 - seven 2 Kings 9:14 - conspired 2 Kings 15:10 - slew him 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Zimri

Verse 32

Who is on my side: Exodus 32:26, 1 Chronicles 12:18, 2 Chronicles 11:12, Psalms 118:6, Psalms 124:1, Psalms 124:2

eunuchs: or, chamberlains, Esther 1:10, Esther 2:15, Esther 2:21, Acts 12:20

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:11 - for David 1 Kings 22:9 - officer 2 Kings 8:6 - officer 2 Kings 9:7 - at the hand 2 Kings 10:6 - If ye be mine 2 Chronicles 23:12 - she came Esther 4:4 - chamberlains Esther 7:9 - one of the chamberlains Psalms 94:16 - rise up Jeremiah 29:2 - eunuchs

Verse 33

Throw her down: 1 Kings 21:11

and on the horses: This terrible mode of punishment appears to have been but rarely used, though we occasionally meet with it during this and subsequent periods. The same punishment, it is well known, obtained among the Romans, who used to throw certain malefactors from the Tarpeian rock. This practice obtains among the Moors at Constantia, a town of Barbary; and is also of frequent occurrence in Persia.

and he trode: 2 Kings 9:26, 2 Kings 7:20, Isaiah 25:10, Lamentations 1:15, Micah 7:10, Malachi 4:3, Matthew 5:13, Hebrews 10:29

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 14:30 - And Absalom's 1 Kings 21:29 - in his son's days 2 Kings 7:17 - the people trode upon him Psalms 68:23 - the tongue Isaiah 28:3 - shall Isaiah 63:3 - and trample Hosea 7:7 - devoured Zephaniah 1:17 - and their blood

Verse 34

he did eat: 1 Kings 18:41, Esther 3:15, Amos 6:4

this cursed woman: 1 Kings 21:25, Proverbs 10:7, Isaiah 65:15, Matthew 25:41

she is a king's: 1 Kings 16:31

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:2 - and like 2 Chronicles 22:9 - Because Job 12:21 - poureth Psalms 37:10 - thou Ecclesiastes 8:10 - so Isaiah 14:19 - thou Jeremiah 34:20 - and their Luke 16:22 - and was buried

Verse 35

but they found: Job 31:3, Ecclesiastes 6:3, Isaiah 14:18-20, Jeremiah 22:19, Jeremiah 36:30, Acts 12:23

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 9:10 - the dogs Psalms 107:40 - contempt Ecclesiastes 8:10 - so Isaiah 34:3 - slain Jeremiah 15:3 - I will Luke 16:22 - and was buried

Verse 36

This is: 1 Kings 21:23

by his: Heb. by the hand of his, 2 Kings 14:25, Leviticus 8:36, 2 Samuel 12:25

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 29:1 - Jezreel 1 Kings 12:15 - that he might 1 Kings 15:29 - he left not 2 Kings 9:10 - the dogs 2 Kings 10:10 - by 2 Kings 15:12 - And so Jeremiah 8:2 - they shall be Jeremiah 16:4 - as dung Malachi 2:3 - spread

Verse 37

the carcase: Psalms 83:10, Ecclesiastes 6:3, Isaiah 14:18-20, Jeremiah 8:2, Jeremiah 16:4, Jeremiah 22:19, Jeremiah 36:20, Ezekiel 32:23-30

Reciprocal: Joshua 17:16 - Jezreel 1 Kings 14:10 - as a man taketh 1 Kings 15:29 - he left not 2 Kings 15:12 - And so Ezra 6:11 - his house Job 20:7 - perish Isaiah 5:25 - torn Jeremiah 9:22 - fall Jeremiah 25:33 - they shall be Malachi 2:3 - spread Philippians 3:8 - but dung