9:1-3 Elisha calls one of the prophets training under him to prepare for a journey. He tells his prophet to bring a flask of oil and go to Ramoth Gilead to look for a man named Jehu. From there, the prophet is instructed to bring Jehu into a private inner room. He is then told to pour the oil over Jehu's head as an anointing from God: Jehu will become king over Israel. After doing so, the prophet is told to swiftly leave.
There is blessed beauty in divine delegation: God calls us to be his fellow workers, 1 Corinthians 3:9. The angels themselves are messengers of God. Jesus broke bread and handed the pieces to the disciples to distribute, Matthew 14:13-21. God chooses to have a relationship with His child, a relationship through which together they do great work.
9:4-5 The young servant of Elisha reaches Ramoth Gilead and approaches the captains of Israel's army. From among the men, Jehu asks the man to whom does he wish to deliver a message. The man identifies Jehu as the recipient.
9:6-10 Elisha's servant and Jehu go into an inner room and the message is delivered, the oil poured over Jehu's head: “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel. You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab all the males in Israel, both bond and free. So I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. The dogs shall eat Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her.’”
Through Jehu and with his participation, God has planned to destroy the corrupt house of Ahab. As instructed, Elisha's servant leaves immediately after delivering this message.
9:11 When Jehu returns to the army, they ask about the messenger. Perhaps knowing that his cohorts will not understand, and in an effort not to boast, Jehu pretends the man did indeed babble like a madman.
9:12 But when the men insist on the truth, revealing that they sensed the gravity of the situation, Jehu tells them. The man delivered a message from God that Jehu has been anointed as king over Israel.
9:13 And though the men were inclined to believe that the messenger was a madman, the welcome this news. It may be that the men are tired of following the orders of the corrupt house of Ahab. God chose Jehu, which automatically tells us that he is a respectable man.
9:14-15 The king of Israel, king Joram is in Jezreel, trying to recover from wounds he acquired in his battle against Syria. Preoccupied in his own conquests, he does not realize God is working to dispose of him as king.
9:16 Jehu rides a chariot into Jezreel; Ahaziah, king of Judah, is also in Jezreel visiting Joram.
9:17 Watchmen on Joram's tower notice Jehu's approach. Joram sends a horseman to meet Jehu and ask: Is it peace?
9:18 When the horseman reaches Jehu, he delivers the kings message: Is it peace? Jehu responds: What have you to do with peace? Joram is an evil king. His family's evil and greed has ruined the nation. Jehu finds it ironic that Joram would ask about peace when he has never bestowed peace. Joram's lifestyle has made it perfectly clear that he does not seek peace for the nation. He therefore has no right to seek it for himself.
Instead, Jehu invites the men to join him in his conquest against Joram. The horseman does.
9:19 The watchmen report that the first messenger has not turned around, another is sent toward Jehu. Again, this messanger chooses to join Jehu. Joram is an evil king and has not inspired or earned loyalty; his people are eager to join another side.
9:20 The watchmen explain that the second messenger has not made to return. They also notice that it is Jehu who approaches. Jehu is apparently known for his intensity, for they realize his identity by the way he charges toward them.
9:21 Joram and Ahaziah, king of Israel and Judah respectively, go out to meet Jehu in person on the property of Naboth. In 1 Kings 21, Naboth was murdered by the house of Ahab for this property. The precise location of this meeting shows that God has not forgotten any of details of the crimes committed by this evil kingship.
9:22 Joram sees Jehu and asks: Is it peace, Jehu? Jehu responds that peace does not exist in the nation that his family has built.
9:23 Joram turns and runs! It has become evident to him that God is showing his disfavor. Joram realizes that he is being confronted for his crimes against humanity and shouts "Treachery, Ahaziah." Joram knows that he runs for his life.
9:24 Jehu draws an arrow; the arrow goes through Joram's heart.
9:25-26 Jehu instructs Bidkar, his captain, to pick Joram up and throw him onto Naboth's field. Jehu fulfills his God-given purpose in this command to return the land to Naboth's family. No matter how large scale the kingship or the damage, God is precise in the promises He makes to His children.
9:27-29 Jehu and his men also kill Ahaziah by arrow, he dies in Megiddo. Ahaziah is carried by his servants and buried in the city of David.
9:30-31 Jehu is then instructed by God to approach Jezebel, the wicked woman responsible for many evils (including killing many of God's prophets). Jezebel greets Jehu and calls him a traitor.
9:32-33 But Jehu is not the only person there willing to betray the house of Ahab. When he asks who is on my side, Jehu notices two or three who are willing to help him. They men throw her down and she dies, trampled by horses.
9:34 Jehu then goes to eat and drink. Likely Jehu feels accomplished, having fulfilled God's instruction in disposing so many evil people. Likely it was a moment of reflection and gratitude to God for carrying him through such risky tumult. It would have taken Jehu all of the will and strength and faith that he had to get rid of such powerful people.
9:35 Though Jezebel is allowed to be buried, there is not much left of her to bury.
9:36-37 Jezebel's death fulfills scripture, 1 Kings 21:23. She led a disgraceful life and meets a dishonorable end.
