Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Kings 9:1-10

"And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this vial of oil in thy hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber. Then take the vial of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not. So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of us all? And he said, To thee, O captain. And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of Jehovah, even over Israel. And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab every man-child, and him that is shut up and him that is left at large in Israel. And 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. And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled." — 2 Kings 9:1-10 (ASV)

In these and similar events, we must acknowledge the secret working of God, disposing people to fulfill His purposes concerning 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. Jehu was reminded of this.

He was commanded to destroy the house of Ahab, and as far as he acted in obedience to God, and upon right principles, he did not need to regard reproach or opposition. The murder of God's prophets is strongly noted. Jezebel persisted in idolatry and enmity toward Jehovah and His servants, and her iniquity was now full.