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2 Kings 9
Chapter 9: Jehu is Anointed King of Israel
Jezebel was the Queen of Israel but she was also the opponent of Yahweh, the God of her husband's people, and the enemy of His prophets. She became the patroness of the cult of Baal and the builder of Baal's temple in Samaria. Numbered among her many sins that include promoting idol worship in Israel and killing Yahweh's prophets, was the sin of framing innocent Naboth of cursing Yahweh and his king and orchestrating his death with the intention of seizing his ancestral property. King Ahab repented his sins and died in 853 BC, and now, thirteen years later, Jezebel reigned as the queen mother and Ahab's son, Jehoram, was king of Israel.
In the Southern Kingdom of Judah, King Jehoram of Israel's 22 year old nephew Ahaziah succeeded his father as king. He was a Davidic king, but he had been influenced by his mother Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and a follower of Baal.
King Jehoram of Israel was recuperating at the palace in Jezreel from wounds he suffered in battle against King Hazael of Aram-Damascus at Ramoth-Gilead, probably under the supervision of his mother, Queen Jezebel. His nephew Ahaziah, king of Judah, who had also been wounded, was visiting him (2 Kng 8:28-29; 2 Chr 6). It was during this time that Elisha arranged for an assistant to go to Ramoth-Gilead to anoint the army commander Jehu as the new king of Israel and the founder of a new dynasty.
2 Kings 9:1-10 ~ Jehu is anointed king of Israel at Yahweh's command
The plan God outlined for Elijah at Mt. Sinai in 1 Kings 19:15-18 will now be completed.
Elijah was only able to complete one part, the anointing of Elisha (1 Kng 19:19-21). The second part of the plan to elevate Hazael to kingship was fulfilled by Elisha (2 Kng 8:7-13). Therefore, two parts have been completed and only the last part, to anoint Jehu king of Israel, remained.
Instead of going himself, Elisha sent a young prophet who was a member of the prophetic brotherhood. The Israelites had been successful in regaining control of the Transjordan border town of Ramoth-Gilead, and Jehu was one of the commanders of the army Israel who was stationed there to protect the city. Notice that Jehu is identified not only by his father's name but also by his grandfather's name. This is unusual, but perhaps the reason is to avoid confusion in misidentifying Jehu as a Davidic descendant. Jehu's father's name was Jehoshaphat, the same name as King Jehoshaphat of Judah, son of King Asa. The grandfather's name, Nimshi, eliminates the likelihood of that confusion.
Question: What were the three divinely approved offices in which God's agent was anointed in the Old Testament? See Ex 28:40-29:7; Lev 8:12; 1 Sam 9:16; 10:1; 15:1; 16:1, 12-13; 1 Kng 1:39; 19:16; 2 Kng 9:3.
Answer: The offices of priest, king, and prophet.
Question: How did Jesus fulfill all three holy offices? Dt 18:15-19; Heb 7:22-25; 8:12; Lk 1:32-33; Acts 3:22-23; CCC 436.
Answer:
- He is the prophet prophesied by Moses.
- He is the High Priest of the new and eternal covenant.
- He is the rightful successor of King David and king of the eternal kingdom.
Question: How are Christians anointed into the royal priesthood of believers? See CCC 1547.
Answer: In the Sacrament of Baptism.
The assassination of King Elah of the dynastic house of Baasha and Zimri's short reign that ended in his suicide, made way for the establishment of the House of Omri. Omri was the father of Ahab and grandfather of King Jeroboam of Israel. Remember the name of Zimri, the charioteer captain of King Elah who assassinated his master and came to a bad end. A reference will be made to Zimri later.
Queen Jezebel is included in the young prophet's oracle. She was the Phoenician wife of King Ahab and mother of King Jehoram who introduced Baal worship into Israel and ordered the murder of God's prophets and servants. She was also singled out for destruction. The curse judgment against the House of Omri/Ahab and Jezebel was the same curse judgment delivered by Elijah in 1 Kings 21:21-24 that was delayed until after Ahab's death because of the repentance he demonstrated in 1 Kings 21:27-29. After completing his mission, the young prophet immediately fulfilled Elisha's final instruction and "made his escape"
2 Kings 9:11-13 ~ Jehu is proclaimed king by his military comrades
The key word in 2 Kings 9:11-31 is the Hebrew word for "peace" = "shalom." It is used nine times in verses 11, 17, 18 twice, 19 twice, 22 twice, and 31. Ironically, what is going to take place has nothing to do with "peace." In the symbolic use of numbers in Scripture, nine is the number of finality and also divine judgment. The shofar in verse 13 was a ram's horn trumpet that was used to call the Israelites to war, they were blown in processions, and to make announcements; silver trumpets were used to call the people to worship (Lev 25:9; Num 10:1-4; Josh 6:6-9, 20; Judg 7:20; 1 Kng 1:34, 39). Trumpets also signaled the coming judgment of God (Zeph 1:26; 1 Thes 4:16; Rev 8:1-9:21; 11:16-18).
In asking if there is "peace," Jehu's friends, who are also army commanders, suspect that something is afoot. Apparently the young prophet is known to them and they consider him a "madman" because of his prophetic utterances which may be like those of the prophets who came across Saul in 1 Samuel 10:5-6, 10.
2 Kings 9:14-21 ~ Jehu prepares to take the Kingdom of Israel by force
King Jehoram was recovering from his wounds at his palace in the city of Jezreel, a royal city at the east end of the fertile Jezreel Valley (2 Kng 8:29; 2 Chr 22:5b-6). Archaeological excavations at a site identified as Jezreel indicate that it was a fortified city with an administrative center and a large palace.
In Scripture any grouping of three or the number three represents that which is solid, real, substantial, and something in its completeness. This number also usually indicates something of importance or significance in God's divine plan by identifying an important event in Salvation History. This number operates as a "sign-post" in Scripture study for the reader to "pay attention" to the significance of the next event, especially in how it pertains to God's divine plan. See the document "The Significance of Numbers in Scripture."
As each horseman arrives and delivers the king's message: "Is all shalom/peace," Jehu challenges the horsemen by saying "What has it to do with you whether all is well [shalom]?" and then gives the command to fall in among his men. That each messenger readily falls in instead of beating a hasty retreat may suggest they discern Jehu's intentions and chose to fall in with the coup, or they realize there is no possibility of escape.
2 Kings 9:22-26 ~ The assassination of King Jehoram of Israel
When Jehoram rode out to meet Jehu, one of his commanders of the garrison at Ramoth-Gilead, accompanied by his nephew Amaziah, king of Judah, Jehu immediately challenged the wicked rule of his family. 22 As soon as Jehoram saw Jehu he asked, "Is all well [shalom], Jehu?" What a question [What shalom/peace]!" he replied, "when all the while the prostitutions and countless sorceries of your mother Jezebel go on." Jehu's reference to the "prostitutions" of Jezebel could be a reference to the introduction of Baal worship. Adultery, harlotry, and claims of prostitution are code words in Scripture for the people of the Old Covenant Church who are collectively the Bride of Yahweh" when they abandoned their One True Lord in the sin of idol worship (see Is 16:8; Ez 16:15). But it also possible that Jezebel was guilty of sexual promiscuity and that accusation along with the claim of sorcery could refer to pagan fertility rites involving the worship of Baal (see Num 25:1-3).
2 Kings 9:27-29 ~ The assassination of Ahaziah
Ahaziah managed to escape in his chariot but was wounded and continued to bleed from his wound as he fled along the road to Megiddo, where he died. His men took his body back to Jerusalem where he was buried, having only ruled Judah less than a year (c. 841 BC).
Queen Jezebel Being Punished by Jehu (Andrea Celesti)
2 Kings 9:30-37 ~ The assassination of Jezebel
Jezebel prepared for her own death by painting her eyes with kohl and having her attendants dress her hair. Kohl was an ancient eye cosmetic traditionally made by grinding galena (lead sulfide) and other ingredients. It was used to contour the eye area, to darken the brows and eyelids, and as a mascara for the eyelashes. In her pride, she intended to die like a queen. It is also possible she might have hoped to seduce Jehu, but she didn't get the opportunity. As Jehu entered the gate of Jezreel, Queen Jezebel, who was looking out of her window, called out defiantly to him, (Hebrew text) "Was it peace [shalom] to Zimri after killing his master?" This is the ninth and final use of the word "shalom."
Looking up at the Queen in the window, Jehu shouted out: "Who is on my side, who?" When two or three eunuchs looked out of a window, Jehu commanded: "Throw her down!" They threw Jezebel down from the window and her "blood spattered on the wall and on the horses." As a sign of his contempt, Jehu let his horses trample her body. Jehu proceeded to take possession of the palace and to have a meal. Remembering Jezebel, he ordered her burial since "she is a king's daughter."
However, his men discovered that her body has been eaten by dogs and there was nothing left to give a proper burial.
Question: Jehu recognized that what prophecy was fulfilled in this discovery? See 1 Kng 21:21-24.
Answer: The condition of her body is just as the prophet Elijah had prophesied for Jezebel: The dogs will eat Jezebel in the Field of Jezreel. Those of Ahab's family who die in the city, the dogs will eat... The location of the city of Jezreel was in the "Field of Jezreel" that was the Valley of Jezreel. The prophecy also was fulfilled for her son who was left out in the open without a proper burial: and those who die in the open country, the birds of the air will eat.
The name "Jezebel" became a code word in Scripture for an evil woman who is an enemy of Yahweh and for a shameless and immoral woman. In the Book of Revelation a "prophetess" in the Christian church of Thyatira in Asia Minor beguiles the congregation "to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols" (Rev 2:20-23).
CHALLENGE: “The Bible teaches sola scriptura. For example, it says: “All scripture (Greek, pasa graphē) is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17).”
DEFENSE: There are multiple problems with this challenge.
First, pasa graphē ordinarily would be translated “every scripture” (pasa generally means “every” rather than “all” before a singular noun like graphē). “Every scripture” would be a reference to each individual book of Scripture. Further, in the Bible the word “scripture” (singular) refers to an individual book or passage. The inspired books as a whole are “the scriptures” (plural), not “scripture.” But Paul couldn’t mean each individual book is sufficient for doctrine. Otherwise, you could do theology by “Genesis alone,” “Isaiah alone,” and so forth.
Second, Paul says the books are useful toward certain goals, including teaching. But being useful merely means that something makes a contribution—not that it is uniquely and exclusively sufficient.
Third, although the scriptures contribute to the goal of making the man of God “complete, equipped for every good work,” they aren’t the only things he needs. He also needs holiness, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, the correct understanding of the texts, and so on. The texts are not sufficient by themselves.
Fourth, sola scriptura would only have been applicable after the apostles’ deaths (see Day 5), but Paul is not telling Timothy something new and meant to apply only after his death. He is saying something that was true then and had been true all along. He articulates this principle immediately after reminding Timothy that he had known the sacred scriptures (plural) from his youth (v. 15). This referred to the Old Testament, and Paul’s principle was true when only the Old Testament existed, before any New Testament books were written.
Christians living before any New Testament book was penned were still obliged to accept the elements of the Christian faith not found in the Old Testament. They didn’t only become obligatory upon being written (2 Tim. 2:15).
It is likely 2 Timothy was not the last New Testament book written, yet Paul expected Timothy to apply the principle immediately—not wait until after Paul and all the other apostles were dead.
Jimmy Akin, A Daily Defense: 365 Days (Plus One) to Becoming a Better Apologist
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