2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:1 1 Kings 19:15 tells of three men whom God would use to bring about the end of Baal worship in Israel. Two of those men—Elisha and Hazael—have already appeared on the scene. This next section tells the story of Jehu. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img")... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:2 JEHU THE SON OF JEHOSHAPHAT, SON OF NIMSHI. Jehu was described in 1 Kings 19:16 only as “son of Nimshi” (see also 2 Kings 9:20). Nimshi is actually his grandfather rather than his father (who is not the Judean king Jehoshaphat). It is unusual for the grandfather to be ref... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:3 FLASK OF OIL. Elijah had been commanded to ANOINT Jehu KING OVER ISRAEL (1 Kings 19:16), but had failed to do so. The reasons for Elisha’s advice to the messenger to OPEN THE DOOR AND FLEE are not given. The reference to Jehu’s reckless chariot driving (2 Kings 9:20) perh... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:7 YOU SHALL STRIKE DOWN THE HOUSE OF AHAB. The pronouncement the messenger delivered is much longer than the one Elisha gave in v. 2 Kings 9:3 and the one Jehu later gave to his fellow officers (v. 2 Kings 9:12). The authors probably shortened the other versions of the mess... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:10 NONE SHALL BURY HER. It was considered a terrible thing in Israel not to be given a proper burial (see Deuteronomy 28:25; Jeremiah 16:4). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:13 THEY BLEW THE TRUMPET AND PROCLAIMED, “JEHU IS KING.” The people’s eagerness to do this suggests that there was instability in the army because of Jehoram’s lack of military success. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.lengt... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:17 I SEE A COMPANY. As Jehu approaches with his army, the people in the city are not sure what is happening. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:22 IS IT PEACE, JEHU? It seems unlikely that Jehoram and Ahaziah would have left the safety of Jezreel to meet Jehu if they had doubted Jehu’s peaceable intentions. The Hebrew phrase probably could be translated, “Is all well?” WHAT PEACE CAN THERE BE? Jehu’s response is to... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:25 PLOT OF GROUND BELONGING TO NABOTH THE JEZREELITE. See note on 1 Kings 21:19. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:27 HE FLED TO MEGIDDO AND DIED THERE. Linked with Ahab in marriage and practicing the same idol worship, AHAZIAH also shares in his fate. He is SHOT... IN THE CHARIOT, later to be transported dead to his capital city for burial. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTag... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:30 SHE PAINTED HER EYES AND ADORNED HER HEAD. Jezebel met her end proudly, dressed up as a queen should be. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:31 Jezebel sarcastically compares Jehu to a previous king, ZIMRI, whose reign lasted only seven days (1 Kings 16:8). She implies that Jehu will not survive his own revolution. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:32 Kings in ancient times often hired EUNUCHS (castrated males) to guard their harems. This assured the king that the males close to his women were not capable of sexual relations with them. Eunuchs also served as cooks, scribes, ambassadors, and in administrative roles. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 9:36 THE WORD OF THE LORD, WHICH HE SPOKE BY HIS SERVANT ELIJAH. Elijah earlier prophesied the gruesome death of Jezebel (1 Kings 21:23). DOGS SHALL EAT. Leaving Jezebel’s corpse to devouring dogs meant disgrace, since burial was now impossible. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.g... [ Continue Reading ]