King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 9:11 Mean?

2 Kings 9:11 in the King James Version says “Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to ... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.

2 Kings 9:11 · KJV


Context

9

And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:

10

And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled.

11

Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.

12

And they said, It is false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel.

13

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. is king: Heb. reigneth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 9 regarding divine judgment executed on ahab's house?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְיֵה֗וּא1 of 21

Then Jehu

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

יָצָא֙2 of 21

came forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַבְדֵ֣י4 of 21

to the servants

H5650

a servant

אֲדֹנָ֔יו5 of 21

of his lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר6 of 21

and one said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙7 of 21
H0
הֲשָׁל֔וֹם8 of 21

unto him Is all well

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

מַדּ֛וּעַ9 of 21
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

בָּֽא10 of 21

wherefore came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַמְשֻׁגָּ֥ע11 of 21

this mad

H7696

to rave through insanity

הַזֶּ֖ה12 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֵלֶ֑יךָ13 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר14 of 21

and one said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם15 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַתֶּ֛ם16 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְדַעְתֶּ֥ם17 of 21

unto them Ye know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֶת18 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאִ֖ישׁ19 of 21

the man

H376

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)

וְאֶת20 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שִׂיחֽוֹ׃21 of 21

and his communication

H7879

a contemplation; by implication, an utterance


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 9:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 9:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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