MPV Commentary

1. Ramoth-gilead was a city of great strategic importance to the Hebrew people, located east of Jordan and serving as a fortress against the Syrians. Jehoram had regained control of it (2Ki 8:29), but the Israelite army remained stationed there under Jehu's command.

Elisha sent one of the children of the prophets on an urgent mission, recalling Elijah's final commission in Horeb (1Ki 19:16). The prophet was instructed to take a box of oil with him (see 1Sa 10:1).

2. To ensure the messenger's safety and prevent any obstacles, Elisha directed him to carry Jehu to an inner chamber.

3. I have anointed you king over Israel, Elisha declared, conveying only part of the message, which was fully announced later (2Ki 9:7-10). Flee immediately and do not delay, for fear of being caught by the king's spies or servants.

4-6. The young prophet promptly undertook this delicate mission, demonstrating his piety and obedience. The act of anointing, performed through a commissioned prophet, signified Jehu's divine investiture with sovereign power. However, this commission had been given to Elijah long before (1Ki 19:16), who entrusted it to Elisha, awaiting God's time for its execution.

10. Jehu was instructed to execute his commission in the portion of Jezreel, which had once belonged to Naboth.

11. When Jehu's attendants asked if everything was well, they were unaware of the prophet's true intentions and assumed him to be a crackpot due to his appearance and mannerisms (compare Jer 29:26).

13. The soldiers hastened to honor their commander by spreading their upper cloaks on the ground as a token of respect (Mt 21:7). Jehu returned to join his fellow officers in the public apartment, where they conducted him to the top of the stairs leading to the roof, a prominent location for an Oriental structure.

14-15. Joram had been keeping Ramoth-gilead with most of Israel's military force, but he was now absent due to his wounds. Jehu, left in command, rode in a chariot and headed towards Jezreel to execute his commission against the house of Ahab.

16. As Jehu crossed the Jordan, he was full of ambitious designs for his new role as king.

17-24. A watchman on the tower of Jezreel observed Jehu's approaching army from a distance. The watchman reported this to Joram in his palace below, and a messenger was sent down into the plain to question the purpose of their approach. When the messenger returned with conflicting reports, a second messenger was dispatched, who also confirmed that the driving was like that of Jehu, son of Nimshi. This alarmed Joram, who quickly summoned his forces to meet the crisis.

25-26. The two kings, Joram and Ahaziah, ascended their chariots to resist Jehu's impetuous attack. However, they were quickly overpowered, and Joram was killed by an arrow from Jehu's strong arm in the portion of Naboth's field. This fulfilled the divine judgment pronounced on Ahab (1Ki 21:19), which had been deferred until his son's time.