2 Kings 9:1

2 Kings 9:1-10. Elisha sends one of the sons of the prophets to anoint Jehu, and give him his commission (Not in Chronicles)

And Elisha the prophet called one of the children[R.V. sons] of the prophets -Children gives a wrong idea. The prophetic communities were formed of men who came together for worship, and were not necessarily connected in any family relationship, any more than Elisha was connected with Elijah. Elisha had an attendant who served him as he had served his master. Such a one he chooses for his messenger to Jehu.

Gird up thy loins The moment had come for executing God's vengeance on the house of Ahab, and the work is to be done without delay. Joram's conduct seems to have prepared the feelings of the army for a revolt.

take this box[R.V. vial] of oil -Vial" is the rendering of this word in A.V. of 1 Samuel 10:1 and is a more appropriate word when used for an oil vessel. It only occurs there and in this chapter. Jehu alone of all the kings of Israel was anointed.

to Ramoth-gilead Here Jehu and his fellow officers had apparently been left in charge, while Joram went away to Jezreel. But from Joram's action, when he finds Jehu approaching Jezreel (verse 21), it is clear that his wound was not of a very serious character. It may be therefore that he had seized the first opportunity of withdrawing from the war to the capital. If so the soldiery would be inclined to favour the generals who remained through the campaign, and to hold the king in contempt. This would explain the ease with which Jehu's attempt succeeded in Ramoth-gilead, and the readiness with which his fellow generals fell in with the movement.