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2Ki 9:1-23.

JEHU IS ANOINTED.

1. Ramoth-gilead--a city of great importance to the Hebrew people, east of Jordan, as a fortress of defense against the Syrians. Jehoram had regained it

(2Ki 8:29).

But the Israelitish army was still encamped there, under the command of Jehu.

Elisha . . . called one of the children of the prophets--This errand referred to the last commission given to Elijah in Horeb

(1Ki 19:16).

box of oil--(See

1Sa 10:1).

2. carry him to an inner chamber--both to ensure the safety of the messenger and to prevent all obstruction in the execution of the business.

3. I have anointed thee king over Israel--This was only a part of the message; the full announcement of which is given

(2Ki 9:7-10).

flee, and tarry not--for fear of being surprised and overtaken by the spies or servants of the court.

4-6. So the young man . . . went to Ramoth-gilead--His ready undertaking of this delicate and hazardous mission was an eminent proof of his piety and obedience. The act of anointing being done through a commissioned prophet, was a divine intimation of his investiture with the sovereign power. But it was sometimes done long prior to the actual possession of the throne

(1Sa 16:13);

and, in like manner, the commission had, in this instance, been given also a long time before to Elijah

[1Ki 19:16],

who, for good reasons, left it in charge to Elisha; and he awaited God's time and command for executing it [POOLE].

10. in the portion of Jezreel--that is, that had formerly been the vineyard of Naboth.

11. Is all well? &c.--Jehu's attendants knew that the stranger belonged to the order of the prophets by his garb, gestures, and form of address; and soldiers such as they very readily concluded such persons to be crackbrained, not only from the sordid negligence of their personal appearance and their open contempt of the world, but from the religious pursuits in which their whole lives were spent, and the grotesque actions which they frequently performed (compare

Jer 29:26).

13. they hasted, and took every man his garment--the upper cloak which they spread on the ground, as a token of their homage to their distinguished commander

(Mt 21:7).

top of the stairs--from the room where the prophet had privately anointed Jehu. That general returned to join his brother officers in the public apartment, who, immediately on learning his destined elevation, conducted him to the top of the stairs leading to the roof. This was the most conspicuous place of an Oriental structure that could be chosen, being at the very top of the gate building, and fully in view of the people and military in the open ground in front of the building [KITTO]. The popularity of Jehu with the army thus favored the designs of Providence in procuring his immediate and enthusiastic proclamation as king, and the top of the stairs was taken as a most convenient substitute for a throne.

14, 15. Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead--rather, "was keeping," guarding, or besieging it, with the greater part of the military force of Israel. The king's wounds had compelled his retirement from the scene of action, and so the troops were left in command of Jehu.