2 Kings 9:12

KJV

And they said, [It is] false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559}, It is false {H8267}; tell {H5046} us now. And he said {H559}, Thus and thus spake {H559} he to me, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, I have anointed {H4886} thee king {H4428} over Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said, "You're being evasive. Come on, tell us the truth." Then he said, "This is exactly what he said to me and how he said it: 'Here is what ADONAI says: "I have anointed you king over Isra'el."'"

Berean Standard Bible

“That is a lie!” they said. “Tell us now!” So Jehu answered, “He talked to me about this and that, and he said, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’”

American Standard Version

And they said, It is false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, I have anointed thee king over Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 9:12 captures the dramatic moment when Jehu reveals to his fellow military captains the true, divinely ordained purpose of the prophet's recent, clandestine visit. After initially dismissing Jehu’s vague explanation as trivial or "false," the captains press him for the real message. Jehu then unequivocally declares the prophet's words, stating that the Lord Himself has anointed him king over Israel, thereby unveiling a pivotal divine mandate that sets the stage for a violent dynastic overthrow and a significant turning point in Israel's history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the immediate climax of a highly significant, divinely orchestrated event. It follows the secret anointing of Jehu by a young prophet, dispatched by Elisha, at Ramoth-gilead, a strategic military outpost. The prophet's mission, detailed in [2 Kings 9:1-10](/2_kings/9-1 "2 Kings 9:1-10 - Jehu's Anointing"), was precise: to anoint Jehu king over Israel as an instrument of divine judgment against the wicked house of Ahab and Jezebel, particularly for their idolatry and the shedding of innocent blood, as exemplified by the murder of Naboth ([1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Naboth's Vineyard")). Upon delivering the message and anointing Jehu, the prophet immediately fled. Jehu then returned to his fellow officers, who, having witnessed the prophet's unusual and hurried visit, were filled with curiosity and suspicion, leading directly to their interrogation of Jehu in [2 Kings 9:11](/2_kings/9-11 "2 Kings 9:11 - The Officers' Inquiry"). The officers' initial skepticism in [2 Kings 9:12](/2_kings/9-12 "2 Kings 9:12 - Jehu's Declaration") sets up Jehu's stark, authoritative revelation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Omride dynasty, particularly the reigns of Ahab and his sons, was marked by intense political instability, religious apostasy, and conflict with Aram (Syria). Ramoth-gilead, where this event unfolds, was a contested border city, frequently a battleground between Israel and Aram, highlighting the military context of Jehu's anointing. Culturally, the anointing of kings with oil was a sacred ritual, signifying divine selection and the bestowal of God's Spirit for a specific office. This practice, seen previously with Saul ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Saul's Anointing")) and David ([1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David's Anointing")), conferred divine legitimacy upon the chosen leader. Jehu's anointing, however, was not merely for succession but for a specific, violent mission of judgment, a common theme in the prophetic narratives where prophets often served as God's messengers in matters of national leadership and divine retribution.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in this verse and the surrounding narrative is **Divine Sovereignty and Appointment**, emphasizing that God is the ultimate orchestrator of history, raising up and bringing down rulers according to His will ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")). Jehu's anointing is not a human political maneuver but a direct, sovereign act of God to execute judgment. Closely related is the theme of **Prophetic Authority and Obedience**, as Elisha and his young prophet faithfully carry out God's precise instructions, demonstrating that God's word, delivered through His chosen messengers, carries undeniable weight and demands immediate action. Finally, the verse highlights **Judgment Against Apostasy**, as Jehu is explicitly anointed to eradicate the wicked house of Ahab and Jezebel, whose idolatry and injustice had provoked God's wrath, underscoring God's unwavering commitment to justice and covenant faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **false (שֶׁקֶר, _sheqer_):** This Hebrew noun means "lie," "deception," "falsehood," or "vanity." In this context, it reflects the officers' initial dismissive reaction, implying they believed Jehu was either joking, hiding something trivial, or that the prophet's visit was inconsequential or even a prank. Their use of "false" suggests a skepticism towards anything truly significant emerging from such an unusual and hurried encounter.
* **anointed (מָשַׁח, _mashach_):** This verb means "to smear," "to rub with oil," and by extension, "to consecrate" or "to anoint." It is the root from which the Hebrew word "Messiah" (מָשִׁיחַ, _mashiach_) is derived, meaning "anointed one." In the Old Testament, anointing signified divine selection and empowerment for a specific office, particularly that of king, priest, or prophet. Here, it underscores that Jehu's kingship is not by human design or military coup, but by divine decree and consecration.
* **Thus saith the LORD (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, _koh amar Yahweh_):** This is the quintessential prophetic formula, appearing hundreds of times in the Old Testament. It serves as an emphatic declaration that the words are not the prophet's own opinion or wisdom, but a direct, verbatim utterance from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Its inclusion here by Jehu lends undeniable authority and divine weight to his declaration, transforming a private message into a public, undeniable mandate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said, [It is] false; tell us now.":** This opening clause reveals the officers' immediate reaction to Jehu's initial, perhaps evasive, response. Their skepticism ("It is false") suggests they either disbelieved his vague account or assumed the prophet's visit was of no serious consequence, perhaps a trick or a trivial personal matter. Their demand, "tell us now," indicates their impatience and insistence on knowing the true, significant purpose of the prophet's hurried visit.
* **"And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying,":** Jehu's reply here is a deliberate build-up of suspense. The phrase "Thus and thus" (כֹּה וְכֹה, _koh v'koh_) is an idiom meaning "such and such," indicating that Jehu is about to relay the exact words, or at least the precise nature, of the prophet's message. This phrasing heightens the drama, preparing his audience for a momentous revelation rather than a casual disclosure.
* **"Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel.":** This is the climactic declaration, the core of the prophet's message and the verse's central truth. Jehu directly quotes the divine oracle, beginning with the authoritative prophetic formula "Thus saith the LORD." This immediately shifts the conversation from human speculation to divine decree. The direct statement "I have anointed thee king over Israel" is a clear, unambiguous, and divinely sanctioned mandate, establishing Jehu's legitimacy and the profound, transformative nature of his calling.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to heighten its dramatic impact and underscore its theological significance. **Dramatic Irony** is prominent: the officers' initial dismissal of the prophet's message as "false" stands in stark contrast to the profound and immediate truth of that very message, which will lead to a violent upheaval. The **Repetition** of the phrase "Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD" emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message, creating a sense of inevitability. **Suspense** is masterfully built through the officers' insistent questioning and Jehu's initial, vague reply, culminating in the sudden, powerful revelation of his anointing. Finally, the direct quotation of God's words, introduced by the powerful formula "Thus saith the LORD," functions as a **Divine Oracle**, conveying immutable divine will and demonstrating God's active involvement in human affairs and political leadership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal verse underscores the profound theological truth that God is sovereign over all human affairs, including the rise and fall of nations and their leaders. Jehu's anointing is not a mere political coup but a divinely initiated act of judgment and a demonstration of God's absolute authority to establish and depose kings. It highlights God's active involvement in history, working through chosen instruments to fulfill His purposes, even if those purposes involve drastic and violent change. The immediate obedience of the young prophet and Jehu's eventual acceptance of the divine mandate emphasize the importance of heeding God's word, regardless of how radical its implications may be. This event serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly authority is ultimately derived from and subject to the supreme authority of the Lord.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - All Authority is from God")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 2 Kings 9:12 offers profound insights into discerning and responding to God's call in our own lives. Just as Jehu's companions initially dismissed a divinely ordained message as "false," we too can be prone to skepticism or to trivializing what God might be speaking to us, especially if it challenges our comfort zones or preconceived notions. This passage compels us to cultivate a posture of spiritual attentiveness, recognizing that God often works in unexpected ways and through surprising instruments. It reminds us that divine appointments are not always glamorous or easy; they often involve significant challenges, radical obedience, and even uncomfortable truths. For believers today, this means seeking God's will diligently, listening for His voice through His Word and Spirit, and being prepared to act decisively when His call becomes clear, trusting that He equips those whom He calls. Our response to God's clear word, whether in personal conviction or collective action, should be one of earnest inquiry and faithful obedience, rather than dismissive skepticism.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when confronted with an unexpected or challenging message that claims to be from God? Do I tend towards skepticism or immediate acceptance?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be dismissing a "prophetic word" or a divine prompting as "false" or insignificant, perhaps because it seems too radical or inconvenient?**
* **What does Jehu's immediate declaration teach me about the importance of clarity and conviction when sharing a truth I believe God has revealed?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's voice and a readiness to respond obediently, even when His plans seem disruptive or counter-intuitive?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jehu's officers initially say, "[It is] false"?**

Answer: The officers' initial reaction of "It is false" (or "You lie," "It's a joke") likely stemmed from a combination of factors. First, the young prophet's visit was highly unusual—he came quickly, spoke privately with Jehu, and then immediately fled. This sudden, secretive, and hurried nature might have seemed suspicious or even comical to seasoned military men. They might have assumed it was a prank, a trivial personal matter, or a deliberate attempt to mislead them. Second, they were probably expecting Jehu to return with news related to military strategy or current political affairs, not a divine anointing for kingship, which would have seemed an absurd or dangerous claim in their context. Their demand to "tell us now" indicates their intense curiosity and their belief that Jehu was withholding the *real*, significant information.

**What was the significance of Jehu's anointing as king over Israel?**

Answer: Jehu's anointing was profoundly significant for several reasons. It was a direct, divinely mandated act, not a human political maneuver, signifying God's absolute sovereignty over the nations and their leaders ([Psalm 75:6-7](/psalm/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Judges")). This anointing marked the end of the Omride dynasty, which had led Israel into deep idolatry and moral corruption under Ahab and Jezebel. Jehu was specifically chosen as God's instrument of judgment to eradicate the house of Ahab and Jezebel, fulfilling prophecies made earlier by Elijah ([1 Kings 21:21-24](/1_kings/21-21 "1 Kings 21:21-24 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab")). His anointing, therefore, represented a turning point—a divine intervention to cleanse Israel from the pervasive Baal worship and injustice that had gripped the kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jehu was a divinely appointed king, chosen for a specific mission of judgment and the restoration of God's covenant order in Israel, his anointing ultimately points forward to the perfect and eternal Anointed One, Jesus Christ. Jehu's kingship was earthly, temporary, and marked by violence and imperfection, yet it foreshadowed the coming of the true King of Israel. Jesus, the ultimate [Messiah (Anointed One)](/john/1-41 "John 1:41 - Andrew Finds the Messiah"), was not anointed with oil by a prophet, but by the Holy Spirit at His baptism ([Matthew 3:16-17](/matthew/3-16 "Matthew 3:16-17 - Jesus' Baptism")), signifying His divine appointment as Prophet, Priest, and King. Unlike Jehu, whose reign brought a bloody purge, Christ's reign inaugurates a kingdom of peace, righteousness, and eternal life, established not through violence but through His self-sacrificial death and resurrection ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace")). Jehu executed judgment on a wicked dynasty, but Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the ultimate judgment for humanity's sin, offering redemption and reconciliation. He is the King who truly fulfills God's promise of an everlasting throne, reigning not just over Israel, but over all creation, and to Him belongs all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")).

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.