2 Kings 9:1 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And Elisha the prophet called, &c. The Prophet Elijah was commanded to anoint Jehu about twelve years before this time; but, because of Ahab's humiliation, the execution of the judgment pronounced upon him and his family was deferred. The office of anointing Jehu therefore, it seems, was left to be performed by Elisha; who did not go himself, either because he was grown old and unfit for such a journey, or because he was a person too well known to be employed in an affair that required secrecy. Go to Ramoth-gilead The kings of Israel and Judah were both absent, and Jehu, it is probable, was left commander-in-chief of the king's army which lay there.