2 Kings 9:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 9:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.
2 Kings 9:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead.] It is repeated, that it might be observed that it was a young man that went, who was more fit for this service than Elisha, partly because of his age, and partly because he would be less known; as also his age is remarked, this being a bold and daring action in a young man to anoint a new king, as well as it was honourable; and moreover, he was not only one of the sons of the prophets, but was a prophet himself, though young, and still a more fit person for such a service; though the Targum is, a young man, a disciple of the prophets.”
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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
“So the young man . . . went to Ramoth-gilead--His ready undertaking of this delicate and hazardous mission was an eminent proof of his piety and obedience. The act of anointing being done through a commissioned prophet, was a divine intimation of his investiture with the sovereign power. But it was sometimes done long prior to the actual possession of the throne (Sa1 16:13); and, in like manner, the commission had, in this instance, been given also a long time before to Elijah [Kg1 19:16], who, for good reasons, left it in charge to Elisha; and he awaited God's time and command for executing it [POOLE].”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:4-10 As the young prophet carried out his commission, he detailed for Jehu the means for carrying out the divine sentence against the family of Ahab (see 1 Kgs 21:20-24).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the young man: Hannaâr hannavee, not as some would render, "the servant of the prophet," but, as correctly rendered by our venerable translators, "the young man, the prophet;" for הנער, hannaâr, "the young man," is not in regimine, but in appositione, with הנביא, hannavee, "the prophet." Kg2 9:4 4 Kings (2 Kings) 9:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification