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2 Kings 9:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 9:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then take the vial of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then take the vial of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.
2 Kings 9:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this vial of oil in thy hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead.
2And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber.
3Then take the vial of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.
4So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.
5And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of us all? And he said, To thee, O captain.
6And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of Jehovah, even over Israel.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, etc.] When in the chamber together alone: and say, thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel; which was done, not with the anointing oil in the temple, which could not be come by; and with which, as Kimchi from their Rabbins says, only the kings of the house of David were anointed, and they only when there was a division, or the crown was translated to another family, as was the case now; but with common oil, or the oil of balsam, such as the prophet had in his house: then open the door and flee, and tarry not; lest he should be examined by the captains, and come into danger; though before he went out he was to say what is…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I have anointed thee king over Israel--This was only a part of the message; the full announcement of which is given (Kg2 9:7-10). flee, and tarry not--for fear of being surprised and overtaken by the spies or servants of the court.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Flee, and tarry not - The probable object of these directions was at once to prevent questioning, and to render the whole thing more striking. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“pour it: Exo 29:7; Lev 8:12; Sa1 16:13; Kg1 19:16 I have anointed: Kg2 8:13; Sa1 9:16, Sa1 15:1, Sa1 15:17, Sa1 16:12; Psa 75:6, Psa 75:7; Pro 8:15, Pro 8:16; Jer 27:5-7; Dan 2:1, Dan 4:35, Dan 5:18; Joh 19:10, Joh 19:11 and flee: Sa1 16:2; Mat 2:13, Mat 10:16 4 Kings (2 Kings) 9:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification