Isn’t it amazing how we can read scriptures many times and STILL not notice certain things?
I have read through the book of 2 Kings before. A lot of of exciting things happened in this book, but last weekend when Danny Steyne pointed this out — I had to laugh.
Look at this:
2 Kings 9:1-3
The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”
Elisha summoned a man from the company of prophets and gave him those instructions. Can you imagine being this guy? Go to Ramoth Gilead, find Jehu, make sure you’re alone with him, pour oil on his head, declare, and RUN AWAY! Ha. Can you imagine? This pour guy doesn’t even have his name mentioned in the scripture.
2 Kings 9:4-10
So the young man, the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead. When he arrived, he found the army officers sitting together. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said.“For which of us?” asked Jehu.
“For you, commander,” he replied.Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the LORD’s servants shed by Jezebel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’ ” Then he opened the door and ran.
LOL! Can you imagine a stranger coming up to you. I have to see you alone! Uh, ok … then they pour something on your head, tell you a bunch of SERIOUS information quickly, open the door and RUN AWAY?!?!?
Surely Jehu stood there, dumbfounded!
The scene must have been extremely odd for his friend to say in verse 11, “Why did this madman come to you?” Ha.
One, I can’t imagine having an assignment like that.
Two, the poor young prophet must have looked crazed.
Three, he was obedient and did everything he was asked to do.
The funny thing is, these people believed this stranger!
2 Kings 9:13
They hurried and took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!”
There isn’t any big lesson in this post, but it made me giggle a little to visualize this meeting of Jehu and the prophet. I wanted to point it out to you in case you haven’t noticed it before.
Have a great day!
I think if this had to happen today, in modern times, we would think this man was a nut job and wouldn't listen at all to what he was saying!
I actually had a good laugh at this post, and felt a bit sorry for the prophet who is unnamed now, but AT LEAST his story is told, so that is still kinda cool!!
Awesome! I've read 2 Kings several times, have always been blessed by so many of the encouraging and inspirational Bible verses in it and yet, I've never noticed that! 🙂 I LOVE learning new and intriguing little things like this and I LOVE the way God's Words are new every morning! Thank you for a delightful Word-Filled Wednesday. 🙂
I too have read that passage many times but never really thought about it like this. Figures Beth, you would let it sink in. I appreciate that about you.
Love ya,
Debbie
Oh how very interesting here Beth. I read the passage at well many times and did not look at it that way. Hmmmmm….. Blessings.
Your post made me smile… yes, I have read this chapter but never get my attention on it until now. Thanks for sharing.
Good morning sister, I loved that story too. I'm having a hard time viewing it in the same manner tho..
In the culture of the times, messengers announced themselves, who they were, and who sent them, especially b4 meeting with someone of such importance. In the context of the normal customs, and seeing this was the commander of the army, I just can't see Jehu having no clue who this person was b4 going off into a room alone with him.
I don't see where the scripture says he was a stranger to Jehu. And yes, it doesn't say that Jehu knew him, but we have to look at this on a global view.. It is very hard for me to accept that a complete stranger A) made it all the way to a gathering of the officers of the army without a checkpoint. B) made it to the commander of the army without a checkpoint C) the commander went off alone without knowing him.
In the times, people announced themselves before meeting with anyone of importance.. and they announced their business. If they didn't, it was asked.
I feel pretty comfortable in saying that Jehu knew that this was a messenger from Elisha before he went off to be alone with him.. and Jehu knew exactly what the oil pouring meant. It was custom to do as such for new kings appointed by the Lord.
Sorry, just can't agree with the view on this one.. Doesn't mean I don't love ya 🙂
No problem Joseph. Love ya too. You're right about the anointing part, but the "friends" did call him a madman. ha.
Anyway — interesting story to say the least.
Blessings!
Beth
Nope never noticed that before. Interesting, perhaps it was a case of shooting the messenger. The bible is full of stories were God gets people in and out of places without being noticed, perhaps this was one of those times.
jenny <><
This is interesting. Old Testament prophets did all sorts of weird things! I like Jehu because he took out Jezebel.
How about laying on your side naked or building a boat when there had never been rain…God has a sense of humor and to see these men obedient is such a lesson to me
Just stopped by…enjoyed and love the label of "Your Boaz" on your husband's photo…I keep reminding my daughter to wait for hers
I never cease to amazed as I read the scripture; God is definitely not boring! Things aren't business as usual in the Kingdom.
Amazing.
I don't remember noticing that before either. How interesting!
Very interesting…I never knew that. If I was to picture that in today's world, not only would one have thought of him as a madman, but as one who cam to place a curse (if not why run away)?
Thanks for sharing. I had to go check it up myself just to be sure 🙂
Hi Beth,
This is very interesting-I have read this many times but have not noticed this.Thank you for sharing your thought provoking post.
Enjoy your weekend!
Blessings and hugs.