39 matching verse commentaries
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 9 In this chapter we are told that one of the sons of the prophets was sent by Elisha to anoint Jehu king of Israel, and to order him to smite and destroy the whole house of Ahab, 2 Kings 9:1, which being done unto him, and the order received by Jehu, he acquainted his captains with it, 2 Kings 9:11, who set out with him...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets,.... Who the Jews generally say (k) was Jonah the son of Amittai: and said, gird up thy loins; his loose and long garments about his loins, for quicker dispatch in travelling: and take this box of oil in thine hand; for an use after directed to: and go to Ramothgilead; where Joram...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
Hazael and Jehu were the men that were designed to be the instruments of God's justice in punishing and destroying the house of Ahab. Elijah was told to appoint them to this service; but, upon Ahab's humiliation, a reprieve was granted, and so it was left to Elisha to appoint them. Hazael's elevation to the throne of Syria we read of in the...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And when thou comest thither,.... To Ramothgilead; but from whence he went is uncertain, doubtless where there was a school of the prophets, perhaps that which was erected near Jordan, on the other side of which lay Ramothgilead, 2 Kings 6:1, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi; the same that Elijah was ordered to anoint,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head,.... When in the chamber together alone: and say, thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel; which was done, not with the anointing oil in the temple, which could not be come by; and with which, as Kimchi from their Rabbins says, only the kings of the house of David were anointed,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead. It is repeated, that it might be observed that it was a young man that went, who was more fit for this service than Elisha, partly because of his age, and partly because he would be less known; as also his age is remarked, this being a bold and daring action in a young man to...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting,.... Either at a table, being at dinner, or at a council of war: and he said, I have an errand unto thee, O captain; looking and directing his speech to Jehu; or, "I have a word to thee" (l); something to say to thee, intimating that he desired to speak to him alone: and Jehu said,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he arose, and went into the house,.... Into the inner chamber in it: 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; for though they were fallen into idolatry, and from the pure worship of God, yet the Lord had still a right unto...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master,.... For Jehu was one of Ahab's captains, as he was now one of his son's, as appears from 2 Kings 9:25, but this was to be no objection with him to the destroying of his house, as being an act of high treason, since he had an order for it from the King of kings, and Lord of lords; which otherwise...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
For the whole house of Ahab shall perish,.... Be cut off by death, and that in a violent manner, not one should escape: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel; of these phrases, [See comments on 1 Kings 14:10] [See comments on 1 Kings 21:21]
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And I will make the house of Ahab, The same is threatened, [See comments on 1 Kings 21:22].
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel,.... Or in the field of Jezreel; the Targum is, the inheritance of Jezreel; this is also threatened, 1 Kings 21:23 and [there shall be] none to bury her; or nothing of her to bury, as Kimchi, all being eaten up but her skull, feet, and the palms of her hands, see 2 Kings 9:35 and he opened...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord,.... The rest of the captains of the army, who served under Joram as he did: and one said unto him, is all well? one of the captains, the greatest of them, as Kimchi; he inquired whether he brought any ill news, since he came and went in such haste: wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? so profane...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And they said, [it is] false, tell us now,.... They did not believe he spoke truth, but concealed from them the real matter; which they concluded to be of some importance, by the hastiness of the messenger, the privacy between them, the countenance of Jehu, which discovered thoughtfulness and concern, and the trifling answer he sought to put them...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs,.... That is, under Jehu, that he might be raised higher, and put on an eminence above them, agreeably to the high rank and dignity he was raised unto, and which they hereby acknowledged; and that he might be conspicuous to others: and this was done...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram,.... He and the captains with him entered into a confederacy to depose Joram, and set him up as king: now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria; having taken it, he left his army in it, under the command of his captains, of which Jehu...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
But King Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel,.... As is recorded, 2 Kings 8:29 and here repeated for the reason above given: and Jehu said, if it be your minds; to engage one and all, and heartily, in this conspiracy, and to make me king: then let none go forth nor escape out of the city, to go to tell it in Jezreel; that so Joram might be...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
So Jehu rode in a chariot,.... In great pomp and majesty as a king: and went to Jezreel: set forward on a march thither with his captains, and part of his army at least, from Ramothgilead; which, according to Bunting (n), was twenty four miles: for Jordan lay there; to be cured of his wounds, as before observed: and Ahaziah king of Judah was come...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel,.... Who could see afar off when an enemy was coming, and his business was to give notice of it; and especially he was now on his watch tower, because the king was there, and this was necessary for his safety: and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company; a troop of...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, thus saith the king, is it peace?.... Are things well in the army, or any disturbance in the kingdom? are you come as friends or enemies? and Jehu said, what hast thou to do with peace? or to ask such a question: turn thee behind me; which he was obliged to do, Jehu having such a company of...