And 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;

2 KINGS 9:2KJV
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2 Kings 9:2 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 9:2 mean?

2 Kings 9:2 describes a specific instruction: when the messenger arrives at a certain place, he is to find Jehu (the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi), separate him from his companions, and bring him into a private room. The verse sets up a secret and important meeting away from others.

The context is that a prophet, following Elisha’s command, is being sent to anoint Jehu as the new king of Israel. The instruction to take Jehu away from his "brethren" (companions or fellow officers) into an "inner chamber" shows the need for privacy and secrecy, likely because the message is sensitive and potentially dangerous.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 9:2

  • "Carry" (בּוֹא, bo): This word is used several times in the verse, meaning "to bring" or "to lead." Here, it emphasizes the action of bringing Jehu away from the group and into a private space.
  • "Inner" and "chamber" (חֶדֶר, cheder): Both words use the same Hebrew term, which means an inner room or private chamber. This highlights the need for confidentiality in what is about to happen.
  • "Among" (בְּתוֹךְ, betokh): This word means "in the midst of" or "among." It shows that Jehu is to be singled out from within a group, not just approached privately from the start.

Why 2 Kings 9:2 matters

  • The verse highlights the careful and secretive way God’s instructions are sometimes carried out, especially when the message could put someone at risk.
  • It shows that Jehu was not alone but among his peers, making the call to leadership a public act followed by a private moment of commissioning.
  • This setup prepares the reader for the dramatic events that follow, where Jehu’s anointing will change the course of Israel’s leadership.

Where else these words appear

“Nimshi” Hebrew H5250 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
  • 2 Kings 9:14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram.(Now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.
  • 2 Kings 9:20 And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.

“inner” Hebrew H2315 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 43:30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
  • 1 Kings 20:30 But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
  • Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

“Jehu” Hebrew H3058 · used in 54 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 2 Kings 9:24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
  • 2 Kings 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
  • 2 Kings 3:1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.