2 Kings 9:5

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And 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 all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּבֹ֗א And when he came H935
וַיָּבֹ֗א And when he came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְהִנֵּ֨ה H2009
וְהִנֵּ֨ה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 2 of 18
lo!
הַשָּֽׂר׃ To thee O captain H8269
הַשָּֽׂר׃ To thee O captain
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 3 of 18
a head person (of any rank or class)
הַחַ֙יִל֙ of the host H2428
הַחַ֙יִל֙ of the host
Strong's: H2428
Word #: 4 of 18
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
יֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים were sitting H3427
יֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים were sitting
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 5 of 18
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר Unto which of all us And he said H559
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר Unto which of all us And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 6 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
דָּבָ֥ר I have an errand H1697
דָּבָ֥ר I have an errand
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 7 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לִ֛י H0
לִ֛י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 18
אֵלֶ֖יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֖יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 9 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַשָּֽׂר׃ To thee O captain H8269
הַשָּֽׂר׃ To thee O captain
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 10 of 18
a head person (of any rank or class)
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר Unto which of all us And he said H559
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר Unto which of all us And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 11 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
יֵהוּא֙ And Jehu H3058
יֵהוּא֙ And Jehu
Strong's: H3058
Word #: 12 of 18
jehu, the name of five israelites
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 13 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
מִ֣י H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 14 of 18
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
מִכֻּלָּ֔נוּ H3605
מִכֻּלָּ֔נוּ
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 15 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר Unto which of all us And he said H559
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר Unto which of all us And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 16 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵלֶ֥יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֥יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 17 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַשָּֽׂר׃ To thee O captain H8269
הַשָּֽׂר׃ To thee O captain
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 18 of 18
a head person (of any rank or class)

Analysis & Commentary

And 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 all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 9: Divine judgment executed on Ahab's house. 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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources