The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 162

The first great sin of the nation was in the setting up of the c:i.lves under Jeroboam, For adherence to this unlawful form of worship two dynasties had already perished (ver. 9). But with the accession of the house of Omri a new development in evil took place (1 Kings xvi. 81, 82). The worship of the Phcenician Baal was introduced; God's prophets were relentlessly persecuted, and, under the influence of Jezebel, the moving spirit of three reigns, corruption had spread far and near throughout the realm, 11nd had penetrated even to Judah. Jehoram at first showed a better spirit (eh. iii. 2), but he must afterwards have yielded to the superior influence of his mother, for Baal- worship was restored, and had the prestige of court example (ver, 22; eh. x. 21). Under these circumstances, it was folly to hesitate, if Israel wa.s to be saved. "Here the question of the justifiableness of rebellion against a legitimate dynasty, or of revolution in the ordinary sense of the word, cannot arise. The course of the house of Ahab was a rebellion against all law, human and Divine, in Israel" (Bahr). Even in ordinary earthly states, the right of revolution when religion, liberty, morality, and national honour can be saved by no other means, is universally conceded. But revolution here was not left to dubious human wisdom, The initiative was taken by Jehovah himself, acting through his prophet, and express Divine sanction was given to the overthrow of Ahab's house. 2. His responsible commission. The person chosen by Elisha to convey God's call to Jehu, and anoint him king, was one of the sons of the prophets. '.J.'he anointing was to be in secret; hence the choice of a deputy. No value attaches to the tradition that the messenger was the future Prophet Jon:ih. Of his personality we know nothiog more than is here told. He was an obscure individual, yet he set in motion a train of events of the most tragic significance. A child's hand may suffice to explode a mine. This messenger Elisha ordered to take a flask of the holy oil, and go to Ra.moth-Gilead, where Jehu was. When he found the son of Nimshi, he was to retire with him into the innermost apartment, and anoint him King of Israel in the name of Jebovaa, then be was to "open the door, and flee, and tarry not." 8. 'l.?ie spirit in which he was to execute it. It was a clear, unmistakable, but terribly serious and important message this prophetic disciple was entrusted with; and it is instructive to notice the manner in which he was directed to perform his task. "Gird up thy loins," etc., said Elisha. He was to prepare at once for action; he was to make no delay on his enand; he was faithfully to execute the commands given to him; when his work was done, he was directly to leave the spot. In God's service there is to be no lingering, or looking back, or turuing from side to side, or dallying on the field of duty. The powers of body and soul are to be braced up for the doing of the "one thing" given us to do. "Girding up the loins of your mind," says an apostle (1 Pet. i. 18). .Promptitude, speed, fidelity, stopping where the command of God stops,-these are invaluable qualities for doing God's work. II. JEHU ANOINTED. 1. The messenger's arrival. Jehoram had returned to Jezreel to be healed of wounds received from the Syrians, and Jehu was at this time in com- mand of the &rmy at Ramoth-Gilead. The city itself had previously fallen into the hands of the Israelites. When the messen~er arrived, he found the captains of the host sitting together in some house or court, and he at once addressed Jehu with the words, "I have an errand to thee, 0 captain." Jchu put the qnestion, "Unto which of all us?" and the answer was, "To thee, 0 captain." The call of God may come to us at unexpected times and in surprising ways. It may come through others, or its voice may be heard in providence. There are general calls which Gud gives "to us all," and there are special calls to the individual. In whatever way the call of God is made known to us, we do well to give attentive heed to it. 2. The act of anointing. J ehu's anointing was to take place secretly. 'fhe messenger was to take him iuto an "inner chamber," and there make known his errand. We are reminded that it is generally in silence and secrecy that God gives men their summons to their peculiar life-work. No time was wasted. The young man, trembling, excited, no doubt, at the thought of the perilous deed he was performing, and at the awful nature of the message he had to deliver, had no sooner got Jehu in priv:ite than he poured the oil from bis flask upon his hel\d, and said, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have auointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel." There is involved in this brief announcement the truths: (1) That royal authority is from God. He sets up kings and puts down kings (Dan. ii. 21). 'l'llus~ only who rule by his sanction and with  THE SECOND BOOR. OF THE KINGS. [en. xx. 1-37.