Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 9:1-10
We have here the anointing of Jehu to be king, who was, at this time, a commander (probably commander-in-chief) of the forces employed at Ramoth-Gilead, Kg2 9:14. There he was fighting for the king his master, but received orders from a higher king to fight against him. It does not appear that Jehu aimed at the government, or that he ever thought of it, but the commission given him was a perfect surprise to him. Some think that he had been anointed before by Elijah, whom God ordered to do it, but privately, and with an intimation that he must not act till further orders, as Samuel anointed David long before he was to come to the throne: but that it not at all probable, for then we must suppo…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 9:4
So the young man . . . went to Ramoth-gilead--His ready undertaking of this delicate and hazardous mission was an eminent proof of his piety and obedience. The act of anointing being done through a commissioned prophet, was a divine intimation of his investiture with the sovereign power. But it was sometimes done long prior to the actual possession of the throne (Sa1 16:13); and, in like manner, the commission had, in this instance, been given also a long time before to Elijah [Kg1 19:16], who, for good reasons, left it in charge to Elisha; and he awaited God's time and command for executing it [POOLE].
Adam Clarke on 2 Kings 9:4
The young man the prophet - This should be translated, The servant of the prophet; that is, the servant which Elisha now had in place of Gehazi.
John Gill on 2 Kings 9:5
And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting,.... Either at a table, being at dinner, or at a council of war:
and he said, I have an errand unto thee, O captain; looking and directing his speech to Jehu; or, "I have a word to thee" (l); something to say to thee, intimating that he desired to speak to him alone:
and Jehu said, unto which of all us? not perhaps at first thoroughly understanding who he meant; or however was willing to have it repeated and explained, that it might be manifest to the whole company that he was intended:
and he said, to thee, O captain; and to him only.
(l) "verbum mihi ad te", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus.
