2 Kings 9:36

Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This [is] the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:

Wherefore they came again {H7725}, and told {H5046} him. And he said {H559}, This is the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, which he spake {H1696} by {H3027} his servant {H5650} Elijah {H452} the Tishbite {H8664}, saying {H559}, In the portion {H2506} of Jezreel {H3157} shall dogs {H3611} eat {H398} the flesh {H1320} of Jezebel {H348}:

So they came back and told him. He said, "This is what ADONAI said through his servant Eliyahu from Tishbe: 'In the field of Yizre'el the dogs will eat the flesh of Izevel;

So they went back and told Jehu, who replied, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel.

Wherefore they came back, and told him. And he said, This is the word of Jehovah, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall the dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel;

Commentary

Context

This verse, 2 Kings 9:36, marks the dramatic and gruesome fulfillment of a divine prophecy against Jezebel, the wicked queen of Israel and wife of King Ahab. The preceding verses detail Jehu's swift and violent purge of the house of Ahab, a mission divinely commissioned to him (2 Kings 9:7-10). After killing King Joram and King Ahaziah, Jehu arrived in Jezreel, where Jezebel, defiant to the end, met him. Her subsequent death, where she was thrown from a window and trampled by horses, is described in 2 Kings 9:33. When Jehu sent men to bury her, they found only her skull, feet, and the palms of her hands, confirming that dogs had consumed most of her body, just as prophesied. This verse confirms that this horrific end was indeed "the word of the LORD" spoken by His prophet Elijah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse powerfully illustrates God's unyielding justice against persistent wickedness and idolatry. Jezebel's reign was marked by the promotion of Baal worship, persecution of God's prophets, and grave injustices, such as the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard (1 Kings 21:19). Her brutal end was a direct consequence of her actions and God's righteous wrath.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This is a central theme. The verse explicitly states that Jezebel's fate was the direct fulfillment of a prophecy delivered years earlier by Elijah the Tishbite in 1 Kings 21:23. It underscores the reliability and certainty of God's word, demonstrating that His warnings and promises will inevitably come to pass.
  • Consequences of Sin: Jezebel's ignominious death and lack of proper burial serve as a stark warning about the ultimate, inescapable consequences of unrepentant sin and rebellion against God. In ancient Israel, to be left unburied and devoured by dogs was the ultimate disgrace and a sign of divine curse.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel" is highly significant. The term "Jezreel" refers to both a city and a valley, a prominent location in Israelite history. The prophecy specifies her death occurring within this region. The act of "dogs eat the flesh" was not merely a natural event but a profound curse. In the ancient Near East, a proper burial was crucial for honor and peace in the afterlife. To have one's body consumed by scavenging dogs was the ultimate indignity, signifying utter disgrace, divine abandonment, and a complete lack of mourning or memorial. It stripped her of any remaining dignity, aligning with the severity of her crimes.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

This verse serves as a powerful declaration that God's word, spoken through His prophets, is absolutely trustworthy and will be fulfilled in precise detail. Elijah's prophecy concerning Jezebel's end (1 Kings 21:23) had been delivered years prior, during Ahab's reign. The seemingly impossible scenario of a powerful queen meeting such a fate was brought to pass by God's sovereign hand, using Jehu as His instrument. This demonstrates God's long patience but also His ultimate certainty in executing justice.

Practical Application / Reflection

The account of Jezebel's end and the fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy offers several profound lessons for believers today:

  • God's Sovereignty: This passage reminds us that God is sovereign over all human affairs, even the rise and fall of kingdoms and the fates of individuals. His plans and purposes will prevail.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The horrific end of Jezebel underscores the gravity of sin, especially rebellion against God and persecution of His people. While God is merciful, there are ultimate consequences for unrepentant wickedness.
  • Reliability of God's Word: Just as Elijah's prophecy was fulfilled to the letter, so too will all of God's promises and warnings in Scripture come to pass. This provides a firm foundation for faith and trust in the Bible's truth.
  • Justice Prevails: For those who suffer under injustice or witness widespread wickedness, this narrative offers a reminder that divine justice, though sometimes delayed, is ultimately certain and will be meted out by a righteous God.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 21:23 (7 votes)

    And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

  • Leviticus 8:36 (2 votes)

    So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

  • 2 Samuel 12:25 (1 votes)

    And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 14:25 (1 votes)

    He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which [was] of Gathhepher.