2 Kings 9:11 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

The servants of his lord. — Jehoram’s captains.

And one said. — Many MSS. and all the versions, except the Targum, have “and they said.”

Is all well? — They dreaded some sinister news.

This mad fellow. — They were struck by his wild demeanour and furious haste. Or, perhaps, “this inspired one,” in a tone of ridicule. (Comp. Hosea 9:7.)

Ye know the man. — There is emphasis on the ye. Jehu apparently implies that the man was sent to him by his fellow-generals — that they had planned the whole thing. His purpose is to find out their disposition. Or, more probably, his reply may simply mean: “Why ask me, when you yourselves must have divined the right answer to your question?”

His communication. — Or, his meditation (comp. 1 Kings 18:27) — i.e., the thing he had in his mind, his purpose in coming. Corn, à Lapide: “Ye know that he is mad, and accordingly what he says is mad, and therefore neither to be credited nor repeated.” LXX., “Ye know the man and his babble;” the Targum, “and his story;” the Syriac, “and his folly;” the Vulg., “and what he said;” the Arabic, “and his news.”

2 Kings 9:11

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.