2 Kings 9 explained: Jehu Seizes the Throne

A private anointing (vv. 1-10)

Elisha sends a young prophet to pour oil on Jehu's head, the sign that God had chosen him as king, and to order him to wipe out King Ahab's family for the blood of the prophets Jezebel had killed. The text does not say why it had to be done privately and quickly, though likely reasons are the messenger's safety and keeping anyone from stopping it.

The officers proclaim him (vv. 11-13)

The other officers mock the prophet as a madman, but once Jehu tells them what was said, they spread their cloaks under him and blow a trumpet, the public signal of a new king. The army's quick support turns a private ceremony into a takeover.

Racing to Jezreel (vv. 14-20)

King Joram is recovering from battle wounds in the town of Jezreel, and Ahaziah, king of Judah, is visiting him. Jehu keeps the news from getting out and drives hard toward them, and each rider sent to ask 'Do you come in peace?' simply joins him.

Two kings killed (vv. 21-29)

Jehu shoots Joram and has the body thrown onto the field Ahab and Jezebel had seized after arranging the death of its owner, Naboth, and he calls this God's promised payback (1 Kings 21). Ahaziah, related to Ahab through his mother, flees but is wounded and dies at Megiddo.

Jezebel's death (vv. 30-37)

Jezebel puts on makeup and does her hair, probably to face Jehu as a queen, and calls him 'Zimri,' after a commander who killed his king and ruled only seven days. Her servants throw her from the window, and dogs leave almost nothing to bury, which the text presents as Elijah's earlier warning coming true.

Key verse: 2 Kings 9:7

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether this chapter presents Jehu's bloodshed as fully approved by God, since the prophet Hosea later announces punishment on Jehu's family for the blood shed at Jezreel (Hosea 1:4).

Something to think about

When violence is done in the name of justice, what would you need to know before deciding whether it really was justice?