2 Kings 9:13

KJV

Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put [it] under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then they hasted {H4116}, and took {H3947} every man {H376} his garment {H899}, and put {H7760} it under him on the top {H1634} of the stairs {H4609}, and blew {H8628} with trumpets {H7782}, saying {H559}, Jehu {H3058} is king {H4427}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At this, they hurried each one to take his cloak and put it under Yehu at the top of the stairs. Then they blew the shofar and proclaimed, "Yehu is king!"

Berean Standard Bible

Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”

American Standard Version

Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew the trumpet, saying, Jehu is king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 9:13 captures the immediate and decisive public acclamation of Jehu as king by his fellow military officers. Following a secret prophetic anointing, this verse details the symbolic acts of homage—spreading garments as an impromptu royal carpet on a prominent staircase—and the traditional royal proclamation by trumpet blast, culminating in the declaration, "Jehu is king." This pivotal moment signifies a rapid and divinely orchestrated transfer of power, marking the beginning of the end for the wicked Omride dynasty and the violent establishment of Jehu's reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic response to Jehu's revelation of his divine anointing. Immediately preceding it, a young prophet, sent by Elisha, arrived at Ramoth-Gilead, where Jehu was stationed with the army. The prophet secretly anointed Jehu as king over Israel, commissioning him to utterly destroy the house of Ahab in divine judgment for their idolatry and the blood of the prophets shed by Jezebel ([2 Kings 9:6-10](/2_kings/9-6 "2 Kings 9:6-10 - Jehu's Secret Anointing")). Upon the prophet's departure, Jehu's fellow officers questioned him about the "mad fellow's" visit. Jehu initially evaded, but when pressed, he revealed the prophet's message and his anointing. Their reaction, recorded in [2 Kings 9:13](/2_kings/9-13 "2 Kings 9:13 - Jehu's Acclamation"), is one of immediate and enthusiastic allegiance, transforming a private commission into a public coronation, setting the stage for the violent purge that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Kings 9 unfold against the backdrop of a deeply corrupt and idolatrous Omride dynasty in Israel, specifically the reign of Joram, son of Ahab and Jezebel. This period was characterized by widespread Baal worship, persecution of Yahweh's prophets, and moral decay, as detailed in [1 Kings 16](/1_kings/16 "1 Kings 16 - The Wickedness of the Omride Dynasty") and [2 Kings 8](/2_kings/8 "2 Kings 8 - Elisha's Ministry and Joram's Reign"). Ramoth-Gilead, where Jehu and the army were encamped, was a strategic border city often contested with Aram. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, military backing was crucial for a new king's legitimacy, especially one coming to power through a coup. The acts described—spreading garments and blowing trumpets—were well-established customs for royal acclamation, signifying honor, submission, and public proclamation of a new reign, as seen in the enthronement of other kings in Israel's history.
* **Key Themes:** The immediate acclamation of Jehu highlights several significant themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Appointment**, demonstrating God's active involvement in raising and deposing kings according to His righteous judgment, even through unconventional and violent means. Jehu's anointing, though initially secret, quickly gains public validation, illustrating the intersection of divine decree and human agency. Secondly, the passage emphasizes **Prophetic Authority and Divine Mandate**. Elisha, through his prophet, acts as God's instrument to initiate this dramatic shift, validating the prophetic word as the catalyst for historical change. Thirdly, the swift and symbolic acts of the officers—laying down garments and blowing trumpets—represent **Popular Acclamation and Allegiance**. These actions are not merely ceremonial but are vital expressions of loyalty and public endorsement, transforming Jehu from a military commander into a recognized monarch. This collective affirmation is crucial for the stability and legitimacy of any new regime, particularly one destined to enact such sweeping judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hasted (Hebrew, _vay'maharu'_):** Derived from the root מהר (_mahar_), meaning "to hurry," "to be eager," or "to act quickly." This word emphasizes the immediate, enthusiastic, and decisive response of Jehu's officers. Their actions were not hesitant or debated but swift and resolute, indicating their full acceptance of his new status and the divine mandate he claimed. It conveys a sense of urgency and eagerness to establish the new order.
* **Garment (Hebrew, _beged'_):** Refers to an outer cloak or mantle. In ancient Israelite culture, garments were significant personal possessions and could be used symbolically. Spreading one's garment for another to walk upon or sit on was a profound gesture of honor, respect, and submission, akin to rolling out a red carpet. It signified homage and the recognition of superior status, effectively creating an impromptu throne or royal carpet.
* **Top of the stairs (Hebrew, _rosh ha-maalot'_):** Literally "head of the ascents" or "top of the steps." This phrase suggests a prominent, elevated, and likely public location, such as the entrance to a guardhouse, a city gate, or a public building. Placing Jehu "on the top of the stairs" elevated him both physically and symbolically, making the act of his acclamation visible to many and amplifying the public nature of the proclamation. It provided a natural platform for his enthronement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then they hasted,"**: This clause highlights the immediate and enthusiastic response of Jehu's officers. There was no hesitation or questioning of Jehu's claim; their reaction was one of swift and decisive allegiance, underscoring the urgency and gravity of the moment.
* **"and took every man his garment,"**: This describes a collective, symbolic act of homage. Each officer removed his outer cloak, signifying a personal and communal gesture of honor, submission, and recognition of Jehu's newly declared royal status.
* **"and put [it] under him on the top of the stairs,"**: This action transforms the pile of garments into an impromptu royal cushion or carpet. Placing it "on the top of the stairs" further elevates Jehu, making him visually prominent and establishing a makeshift throne in a public, visible location, thereby amplifying the public nature of his acclamation.
* **"and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king."**: The sounding of trumpets was a traditional and universally understood signal for a royal proclamation or the anointing of a new king in ancient Israel. This audible declaration, coupled with the explicit verbal affirmation, "Jehu is king," served as the definitive public announcement, ensuring that all within earshot were aware of the new monarch and the dramatic shift in power.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the significance of this moment. **Symbolism** is central, particularly with the use of "garments" and "trumpets." The spreading of garments symbolizes the officers' profound homage, submission, and the creation of an impromptu royal seat, elevating Jehu's status. The blowing of trumpets is a universally recognized symbol of royal proclamation and authority, an audible declaration of a new reign. The phrase "on the top of the stairs" also carries **Symbolic** weight, representing a prominent, elevated platform for public acclamation, emphasizing the visibility and authority of Jehu's new position. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the prophet's anointing was performed secretly, yet its immediate consequence is a very public and boisterous declaration, highlighting the unstoppable nature of God's decree. The swiftness ("hasted") and the collective action ("every man") contribute to a sense of **Urgency and Unanimity**, underscoring the decisive nature of this transition and foreshadowing the rapid and violent events that will follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The acclamation of Jehu in 2 Kings 9:13 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over human history and political affairs. While the anointing of Jehu was a divine initiative to bring judgment upon the wicked house of Ahab, its public validation by his officers demonstrates how God often works through human agency and established cultural practices to achieve His purposes. This event underscores that no earthly power is beyond God's reach, and He can raise up or bring down leaders as He wills, often in dramatic and unexpected ways, to fulfill His righteous decrees and maintain His covenant with His people. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of political turmoil and human ambition, God remains the ultimate orchestrator of events, using both the faithful and the flawed to advance His kingdom agenda.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons, Removes and Sets Up Kings")
* [1 Samuel 16:12-13](/1_samuel/16-12 "1 Samuel 16:12-13 - David's Anointing by Samuel")
* [1 Kings 1:39](/1_kings/1-39 "1 Kings 1:39 - Solomon's Anointing and Trumpet Proclamation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene of Jehu's acclamation is a potent reminder that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and the lives of individuals, often working through surprising and dramatic means to accomplish His will. The officers' swift and decisive response to Jehu's revelation of his divine commission challenges us to consider our own readiness to respond when God's will becomes clear, even if it disrupts our comfort or challenges the status quo. It teaches us about the importance of discerning God's hand in historical shifts and personal callings, and the necessity of aligning our allegiance with His ultimate authority. While Jehu's mission was one of judgment, the underlying principle remains: God raises up leaders and empowers movements for His purposes. For believers, this means trusting in God's sovereignty even amidst chaos, and being prepared to offer our "garments" of allegiance and our "trumpets" of proclamation to His divine purposes, whether that involves dramatic change or faithful endurance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of God's involvement in political transitions and leadership changes today?**
* **What does the officers' immediate and decisive response teach us about recognizing and acting upon a perceived divine calling?**
* **In what areas of your life or community might God be calling for a "hasted" and public declaration of allegiance to His will?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jehu's anointing initially secret, but his acclamation so public?**

Answer: The initial anointing of Jehu by the young prophet was conducted in secrecy for strategic reasons. A public anointing before Jehu had secured military backing or before the current king, Joram, was incapacitated, would have immediately triggered opposition and potentially jeopardized the mission. The prophet specifically instructed Jehu to rise quickly and leave the house after the anointing ([2 Kings 9:6](/2_kings/9-6 "2 Kings 9:6 - Prophet's Instructions to Jehu")). However, once Jehu revealed the divine commission to his trusted officers, their immediate and enthusiastic public acclamation was crucial. This public display—spreading garments, blowing trumpets, and shouting "Jehu is king!"—served to legitimize his claim, rally support within the military, and publicly declare the shift in power, effectively initiating the coup necessary to fulfill the divine judgment against the house of Ahab. It transformed a private divine mandate into a public political reality.

**What was the significance of "the top of the stairs" as the location for Jehu's acclamation?**

Answer: The phrase "on the top of the stairs" (Hebrew: _rosh ha-maalot_) likely refers to a prominent, elevated, and publicly accessible location within the military camp or fortress at Ramoth-Gilead. This could have been the top of a watchtower, the entrance to a guardhouse, or a significant public thoroughfare with steps leading up to it. The choice of this location was highly significant for several reasons: Firstly, it provided a natural platform for Jehu to be elevated, both physically and symbolically, above his peers, emphasizing his new royal status. Secondly, its public nature ensured that the acts of homage (spreading garments) and the loud proclamation (trumpets and shouts) would be widely visible and audible, maximizing the impact of the declaration and solidifying Jehu's legitimacy in the eyes of the army and potentially the wider populace. It was a strategic choice to amplify the public recognition of his kingship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jehu's anointing and violent rise to power served God's immediate purpose of judgment against a wicked dynasty, it ultimately points forward to the perfect and eternal reign of Jesus Christ. Jehu was anointed by a prophet for a specific, temporary, and often brutal mission of justice, a king who needed human acclamation and military might to establish his throne. In contrast, Jesus, the true King of Israel, was anointed not with oil by human hands, but by the Holy Spirit at His baptism, declared by God the Father Himself as His beloved Son ([Matthew 3:16-17](/matthew/3-16 "Matthew 3:16-17 - Jesus' Baptism and God's Affirmation")). His kingship is not established by human armies or public coups, but by His divine nature and His sacrificial work on the cross, through which He conquered sin and death. While Jehu's reign was marked by bloodshed to purge evil, Christ's reign brings salvation and peace to all who believe, fulfilling the prophetic promise of an everlasting kingdom of righteousness and justice ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Everlasting King")). The acclamation of Jehu was a fleeting earthly event; the ultimate acclamation belongs to Christ, before whom "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation")). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose dominion is eternal and whose rule is perfectly just and merciful ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

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

1 Kings 1:34

And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

1 Kings 1:39

And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

Mark 11:7

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

Mark 11:8

And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed [them] in the way.

Psalms 98:6

With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

2 Samuel 15:10

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

Psalms 47:5

¶ God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.