(3) Then.--And (both times).

Thus saith the Lord . . . over Israel.--Only the chief part of the message to Jehu is here given, to avoid publicity. (See infra, 2Kings 9:6-9.)

Over Israel.--Literally, unto Israel, both here and in 2Kings 9:12. But a great number of MSS., and all the versions in both places, read over Israel.

Tarry not.--So as to avoid all questioning, and to give greater force to the act.

Verse 3. - Then take - rather, and take - the box of oil - rather, the flask of oil - and pour it on his head. Compare the consecration of Aaron to the high-priestly (Leviticus 8:12), and of Saul (1 Samuel 10:1) and David (1 Samuel 16:12) to the kingly office. The oil used was the holy anointing oil of the sanctuary (Exodus 30:25) - τὸ ἅγιον ἔλαιον, as Josephus says. And say, Thus faith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. This is an abbreviated form of the actual message, which is given in its entirety in vers. 7-10. The writer of Kings avoids all needless repetitions. Then open the door - the conference was to be with closed doors, that no one might either hear or see what took place - and flee, and tarry not. The Divine message delivered, all would have been done that needed to be done. There would be nothing to wait for. So the young man was to depart with the same haste with which he had come.

9:1-10 In these and the like events, we must acknowledge the secret working of God, disposing men to fulfil his purposes respecting them. Jehu was anointed king over Israel, by the Lord's special choice. The Lord still had a remnant of his people, and would yet preserve his worship among them. Of this Jehu was reminded. He was commanded to destroy the house of Ahab, and, as far as he acted in obedience to God, and upon right principles, he needed not to regard reproach or opposition. The murder of God's prophets is strongly noticed. Jezebel persisted in idolatry and enmity to Jehovah and his servants, and her iniquity was now full.Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head,.... When in the chamber together alone:

and say, thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel; which was done, not with the anointing oil in the temple, which could not be come by; and with which, as Kimchi from their Rabbins says, only the kings of the house of David were anointed, and they only when there was a division, or the crown was translated to another family, as was the case now; but with common oil, or the oil of balsam, such as the prophet had in his house:

then open the door and flee, and tarry not; lest he should be examined by the captains, and come into danger; though before he went out he was to say what is recorded in 2 Kings 9:7.