Bible Commentaries

Jehu and his Bloodshed

This chapter relates the anointing of Jehu by order of Elisha; and the death of Jehoram (of Israel), Ahaziah (of Judah), and Jezebel.

I. Box] RV 'vial.' For the use of oil in anointing sovereigns see 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:13. Ra-moth-gilead] The Israelite army was on guard here (2 Kings 9:14).

9. Like the house of Jeroboam.. of Baasha] Both these families had been extirpated: 1 Kings 15:29; 1 Kings 16:11.

10. In.. Jezreel] the scene of Ahab's murder of Naboth (1 Kings 21).

II. This mad fellow] The wild demeanour and excited utterances of the prophets (see 1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Samuel 19:20.) particularly exposed them to this reproach: cp. Jeremiah 29:26. Ye know the man] Probably the sons of the prophets, like the prophets themselves, could be distinguished by their dress: see on 2 Kings 1:8. But Jehu's words possibly imply that he suspected his colleagues of having prompted the prophet's action.

13. Put it under him] either for a cushion (as an extemporised throne) or for a carpet.

On the top of the stairs] RM 'on the bare steps'; these would be outside the house.

17. Is it peace?] i.e 'is all well?' (the same word as in 2 Kings 9:11 and in 2 Kings 5:21).

18. Turn thee behind me] The command had the same object as that in 2 Kings 9:15, viz. to prevent warning being given.

22. Whoredoms] i.e. the practice of idolatry: see Judges 2:17; Hosea 2:2. Witchcrafts] i.e. dealings with wizards and diviners (prohibited in Exodus 22:18 : cp. also Deuteronomy 18:11; Leviticus 20:27).

23. Turned his hands] i.e. to wheel his chariot about.

25. Rode together after Ahab] i.e. behind him in the same chariot, as his attendants. Laid this burden upon him] RM 'uttered this oracle against him.' The term 'burden' is similarly used of a prophetic utterance in Isaiah 13:1; Isaiah 15:1; Isaiah 17:1; Nahum 1:1; Habakkuk 1:1, etc.

26. The blood of his sons] The execution of Naboth's sons has not previously been mentioned; but at this period a man's guilt was held to attach to his children likewise (the sense of individual responsibility being only imperfectly developed), and his offence was generally expiated by their punishment as well as his own.

27. The garden house] better, 'Bethgan,' a place on the direct road from Jezreel to the S. Ibleam] about half-way between Samaria and Jezreel. A different account of Ahaziah's death is given in 2 Chronicles 22:9; Megiddo] on the ridge of Carmel.

29. Eleventh] in 2 Kings 8:25; 'twelfth.'

30. Painted her face] RV 'painted her eyes' (eyelids), i.e. with a preparation of antimony, to make them appear larger and more brilliant.

31. Had Zimri peace, etc.] RV 'is it peace, thou Zimri, thy master's murderer': see 1 Kings 16:9-19. Perhaps Jezebel, by reminding Jehu of the fate of Zimri, wished to suggest to him the wisdom of making overtures to her.

34. A king's daughter] She was daughter of Ethbaal, king of Zidon (1 Kings 16:31).

35. They found no more, etc.] The loss of burial added further ignominy to her death: see on 1 Kings 2:31.

36. In the portion of Jezreel] see 1 Kings 21:23.