2 Kings 9:11

KJV

¶ Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and [one] said unto him, [Is] all well? wherefore came this mad [fellow] to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Jehu {H3058} came forth {H3318} to the servants {H5650} of his lord {H113}: and one said {H559} unto him, Is all well {H7965}? wherefore came {H935} this mad {H7696} fellow to thee? And he said {H559} unto them, Ye know {H3045} the man {H376}, and his communication {H7879}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yehu returned to the servants of his lord, and one of them said to him, "Is everything all right? Why did this meshugga come to you?" He answered them, "You know the kind and how they babble."

Berean Standard Bible

When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.

American Standard Version

Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man and what his talk was.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Upon returning to his fellow military commanders after a clandestine anointing, Jehu is immediately confronted with their dismissive skepticism regarding the prophet's unusual visit. They label the divine messenger a "mad fellow," prompting Jehu to offer an evasive, yet deeply significant, reply that sets the stage for the dramatic and divinely ordained events about to unfold, highlighting the profound tension between human perception and God's sovereign purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse immediately follows the dramatic, secret anointing of Jehu as king of Israel by a young prophet, dispatched by Elisha, with a specific divine mandate to utterly destroy the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:1-10). Jehu, a prominent military commander, is abruptly thrust from his secular role into a divinely commissioned instrument of judgment. His return to his unsuspecting fellow officers creates a moment of intense narrative tension. Their casual, yet pointed, questioning about the prophet's strange and hurried visit, coupled with Jehu's guarded response, underscores the secrecy and immense gravity of the divine commission he has just received, foreshadowing the swift and violent purge that will follow. This scene effectively transitions from the private divine encounter to the public sphere where God's decree will be executed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Joram (Jehoram), a descendant of the infamous King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. This era was characterized by pervasive spiritual apostasy, with the state-sponsored worship of Baal vigorously promoted by Jezebel. Prophets of Yahweh, such as Elijah and Elisha, frequently operated as counter-cultural figures, delivering messages of judgment and calling the nation back to covenant faithfulness. Such prophets, particularly when their actions were unconventional or their messages disruptive, were often perceived as eccentric, fanatical, or even "mad" by the secular and idolatrous establishment, who found their fervent devotion and divine pronouncements unsettling. Jehu himself was a military general, accustomed to a structured, hierarchical society where decorum and political stability were highly valued, making the prophet's abrupt, unceremonious anointing seem profoundly out of place and even suspicious to his peers.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the narrative of Jehu's reign and the broader biblical account. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Perception**, where God's ultimate plan unfolds irrespective of human skepticism or misunderstanding. The officers' immediate dismissal of the prophet as "mad" highlights how divine messengers or unconventional acts of God can be misjudged or scorned by those focused solely on earthly realities, a theme echoed in [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross is Foolishness"). Another crucial theme is the **Nature of Prophetic Authority**; despite the prophet's youth, haste, and the officers' derision, his anointing of Jehu carries the full weight of God's command, demonstrating that God often uses seemingly insignificant or unconventional instruments to achieve His mighty purposes (compare [1 Kings 21:21-24](/1_kings/21-21-24 "1 Kings 21:21-24 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab and Jezebel") for the earlier prophecy against Ahab's house). Finally, the theme of **Secrecy and Impending Revelation** is evident in Jehu's initial guardedness, which sets the stage for the swift and decisive actions he will soon take, dramatically revealing the full scope of God's judgment against the wicked dynasty of Ahab and Jezebel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** This Hebrew term (אֲדֹנִים, H113) refers to a "sovereign," "controller," "master," or "owner," and can be used for both human and divine authority. In this context, it refers to Jehu's earthly superior, King Joram, indicating Jehu's current position within the military hierarchy and the loyalty expected of him. The prophet's anointing, however, has just shifted Jehu's ultimate allegiance, making him the new "lord" and master of Israel, by divine decree, setting up a dramatic conflict of loyalties.
* **Mad (Hebrew, _shâgaʻ'_):** The Hebrew word (שָׁגַע, H7696) translated as "mad" means "to rave through insanity" or "to act wildly." While it can denote genuine mental instability, it was frequently applied in ancient Israel to describe the fervent, ecstatic, and often unconventional behavior of prophets who were deeply moved by the Spirit of God. To observers who lacked spiritual discernment or were hostile to their message, such behavior might appear irrational or "mad." The officers' use of this term reflects their dismissive and scornful attitude towards the prophet's unusual demeanor and message, highlighting their inability or unwillingness to discern the hand of God in the encounter (compare [Jeremiah 29:26](/jeremiah/29-26 "Jeremiah 29:26 - Shemaiah Calls Jeremiah Mad")).
* **Communication (Hebrew, _sîyach'_):** The Hebrew word (שִׂיחַ, H7879) translated as "communication" encompasses "talk," "meditation," "musing," or even "complaint." In this context, it refers to the prophet's message or the content of his discourse. Jehu's response, "Ye know the man, and his communication," is a masterful evasion. It can be interpreted as a subtle insinuation that they are familiar with the often eccentric or seemingly nonsensical "talk" of such prophets, thereby downplaying the significance of the encounter to avoid revealing the profound divine commission he has just received.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord":** Jehu, having just been privately and profoundly transformed by a divine encounter that elevated him to kingship, re-enters the public sphere of his military colleagues. This transition from a secret, sacred moment to a mundane, social interaction immediately creates tension and anticipation, as Jehu now carries a world-altering secret.
* **"and [one] said unto him, [Is] all well? wherefore came this mad [fellow] to thee?":** This initiates the exchange. The initial "Is all well?" is a standard greeting, a polite inquiry about well-being, but it quickly shifts to an underlying tone of suspicion and curiosity. The officers have just witnessed the strange, hurried visit of the prophet and are eager to understand its purpose. Their immediate, dismissive label of "mad fellow" for the prophet betrays their worldly, cynical, and ultimately unspiritual perspective, demonstrating their inability to conceive of a divine message being delivered in such an unconventional manner or to recognize the authority behind the messenger.
* **"And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication":** Jehu's reply is strategically ambiguous and deeply ironic. On the surface, it could be a dismissive brush-off, implying that prophetic pronouncements are often perceived as strange or irrelevant, thus deflecting further questions. However, on a deeper level, it carries a profound double meaning: Jehu might be subtly hinting that they *should* know the significance of such a visit, given the ongoing prophetic activity against the idolatrous house of Ahab. By this cryptic response, Jehu buys time, conceals the explosive truth of his anointing, and perhaps even tests the spiritual discernment of his peers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to heighten its impact. **Irony** is profoundly present, as the "mad fellow" scorned by the officers is, in fact, God's chosen instrument, delivering a message of immense divine significance that will soon overturn the kingdom. This highlights the stark **contrast** between human, worldly perception and divine reality. The terse, pointed **dialogue** serves as a powerful means of **foreshadowing**, as Jehu's evasiveness and the officers' skepticism subtly hint at the dramatic and violent events that Jehu is about to initiate, driven by the very message they dismiss. Furthermore, the use of **epithet** ("mad fellow") by the officers immediately characterizes their spiritual blindness and worldly cynicism, setting them in opposition to the divine will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways are often not our ways, and His wisdom frequently appears as foolishness to the world. The officers' immediate dismissal of the prophet as "mad" underscores humanity's pervasive tendency to judge divine messengers and messages based on conventional appearances or worldly standards, rather than discerning the spiritual authority at work. God frequently chooses the weak, the unconventional, or the seemingly "foolish" to confound the wise and mighty, demonstrating that His power is perfected in weakness and that His plans will always prevail, regardless of human skepticism or opposition. This passage challenges believers to cultivate spiritual discernment, looking beyond outward appearances to perceive God's hand at work, even when His methods are unexpected or appear irrational to the uninitiated. It affirms that God's instruments, though sometimes scorned by the world, carry the full weight of His divine authority.

* [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Foolish Things of the World")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Are Higher")
* [Acts 26:24](/acts/26-24 "Acts 26:24 - Festus Calls Paul Mad")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly brief exchange offers profound insights for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own biases and preconceived notions about how God "should" act or whom He "should" use. Are we quick to dismiss messages or individuals who don't fit our conventional expectations of piety, professionalism, or rationality? God often works through unconventional means and unexpected messengers to accomplish His purposes, and what may appear "mad" or insignificant in the eyes of the world can be profoundly significant in God's eternal plan. This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of discernment, to look beyond outward appearances, and to be open to God's voice, even when it comes through channels we might initially deem unworthy or strange. It also reminds us that obedience to God's call, even when it involves a radical shift in our lives or a challenging commission, is paramount. Jehu's guarded response, while strategic, also teaches us the wisdom of discerning the right time and manner to reveal God's work or our personal callings, ensuring that the message is received effectively rather than dismissed prematurely.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we tend to judge messages or messengers that seem unconventional or "mad" by worldly standards, and what might we be missing as a result?**
* **In what ways might God be speaking or acting in our lives or through unexpected people that we are dismissing due to our own preconceived notions or desire for conventionality?**
* **What does Jehu's initial, guarded response teach us about the wisdom of discerning the right time and manner to reveal God's work or our personal callings to others?**

### FAQ
**Why did the officers call the prophet "mad"?**

Answer: The officers called the prophet "mad" (Hebrew _shaga'_) for several interconnected reasons. Firstly, prophetic behavior could often appear unconventional or ecstatic to those not accustomed to it; prophets sometimes exhibited intense emotional or physical manifestations when delivering divine messages, which could be misinterpreted as mental instability. Secondly, the circumstances of this particular visit were highly unusual: a young prophet arriving suddenly, secretly anointing Jehu, and then departing quickly and without ceremony. This furtive and abrupt nature would have seemed suspicious and irrational to the pragmatic military officers. Finally, the term "mad" was a common dismissive label used by those who rejected or scorned prophetic messages, especially when those messages challenged the status quo or brought unwelcome news, as seen with [Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:26](/jeremiah/29-26 "Jeremiah 29:26 - Shemaiah Calls Jeremiah Mad"). Their use of the term reveals their worldly perspective and their inability to discern the divine authority behind the prophet's actions.

**What did Jehu mean by "Ye know the man, and his communication"?**

Answer: Jehu's reply is a masterful piece of strategic ambiguity, designed to both deflect and subtly hint at the truth. On one level, he might be subtly implying that his fellow officers are already familiar with the often eccentric or seemingly nonsensical "talk" of such prophets, thereby downplaying the significance of the encounter and brushing off their inquiries. This would serve to maintain secrecy about his anointing and prevent premature action. However, on another, deeper level, Jehu's statement could be a veiled challenge, suggesting that they *should* know the significance of such a visit. Given the ongoing prophetic conflict against the idolatrous house of Ahab and the well-known prophecies of judgment against that dynasty, a prophet's visit to a military commander would naturally carry profound implications. Jehu's words allow him to acknowledge the prophet's presence without revealing the explosive truth of his divine commission, buying him crucial time to plan his next move and gauge the loyalty of his peers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the "mad fellow" prophet and Jehu's anointing finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. Just as the prophet was dismissed as "mad" by worldly men, Jesus himself was often perceived as mad, demon-possessed, or a deceiver by those who rejected His divine authority and unconventional methods. His own family thought He was "out of His mind" ([Mark 3:21](/mark/3-21 "Mark 3:21 - Jesus' Family Thinks He is Mad")), and many of His contemporaries declared, "He has a demon and is insane" ([John 10:20](/john/10-20 "John 10:20 - Many Say Jesus Has a Demon")). Yet, Jesus was the ultimate divine messenger, the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), sent by God not merely to anoint a king for a specific judgment, but to establish an eternal kingdom and bring salvation to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). The "madness" of the cross, which appears foolishness to the perishing, is in fact the power and wisdom of God ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross is Foolishness")). Jesus' mission, like Jehu's, involved judgment against spiritual wickedness, but His ultimate purpose was redemptive, offering reconciliation and new life through His atoning sacrifice ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Was Reconciling the World to Himself")). He was the true Prophet, Priest, and King, whose unconventional entry into the world and radical message challenged every human expectation, yet perfectly fulfilled God's eternal plan, inaugurating a new covenant of grace ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 29:26

The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man [that is] mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.

John 10:20

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Hosea 9:7

¶ The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

Acts 26:24

¶ And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

2 Kings 5:21

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw [him] running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, [Is] all well?

Mark 3:21

And when his friends heard [of it], they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

2 Kings 9:17

And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, [Is it] peace?