2 Kings Chapter 9 · Verse 13

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַֽיְמַהֲר֗וּ Then they hasted H4116
וַֽיְמַהֲר֗וּ Then they hasted
Strong's: H4116
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
וַיִּקְחוּ֙ and took H3947
וַיִּקְחוּ֙ and took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 2 of 14
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אִ֣ישׁ every man H376
אִ֣ישׁ every man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 3 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בִּגְד֔וֹ his garment H899
בִּגְד֔וֹ his garment
Strong's: H899
Word #: 4 of 14
a covering, i.e., clothing
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ and put H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ and put
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 5 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
תַחְתָּ֖יו H8478
תַחְתָּ֖יו
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 6 of 14
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
גֶּ֣רֶם it under him on the top H1634
גֶּ֣רֶם it under him on the top
Strong's: H1634
Word #: 8 of 14
a bone (as the skeleton of the body); hence, self, i.e., (figuratively) very
הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת of the stairs H4609
הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת of the stairs
Strong's: H4609
Word #: 9 of 14
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙ and blew H8628
וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙ and blew
Strong's: H8628
Word #: 10 of 14
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר with trumpets H7782
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר with trumpets
Strong's: H7782
Word #: 11 of 14
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ saying H559
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 12 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
מָלַ֥ךְ is king H4427
מָלַ֥ךְ is king
Strong's: H4427
Word #: 13 of 14
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
יֵהֽוּא׃ Jehu H3058
יֵהֽוּא׃ Jehu
Strong's: H3058
Word #: 14 of 14
jehu, the name of five israelites

Analysis & Commentary

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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 9: Divine judgment executed on Ahab's house. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 9 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Violent Revolution) reflects the historical reality of violent political revolution motivated by zeal for Yahweh but lacking genuine heart transformation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection