2 Kings 9:5
New International Version
When he arrived, he found the army officers sitting together. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said. “For which of us?” asked Jehu. “For you, commander,” he replied.

New Living Translation
When he arrived there, he found Jehu sitting around with the other army officers. “I have a message for you, Commander,” he said. “For which one of us?” Jehu asked. “For you, Commander,” he replied.

English Standard Version
And when he came, behold, the commanders of the army were in council. And he said, “I have a word for you, O commander.” And Jehu said, “To which of us all?” And he said, “To you, O commander.”

Berean Standard Bible
and when he arrived, the army commanders were sitting there. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said. “For which of us?” asked Jehu. “For you, commander,” he replied.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And when he arrived, there were the captains of the army sitting; and he said, “I have a message for you, Commander.” Jehu said, “For which one of us?” And he said, “For you, Commander.”

New American Standard Bible
When he arrived, behold, the commanders of the army were sitting, and he said, “I have a word for you, commander.” And Jehu said, “For which one of us?” And he said, “For you, commander.”

NASB 1995
When he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting, and he said, “I have a word for you, O captain.” And Jehu said, “For which one of us?” And he said, “For you, O captain.”

NASB 1977
When he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting, and he said, “I have a word for you, O captain.” And Jehu said, “For which one of us?” And he said, “For you, O captain.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he came, and behold, the commanders of the military were sitting, and he said, “I have a word for you, O commander.” And Jehu said, “For which one of us?” And he said, “For you, O commander.”

Amplified Bible
When he arrived, the captains of the army were sitting [outside]; and he said, “I have a message for you, O captain.” Jehu said, “To which one of us?” And he said, “For you, O captain.”

Christian Standard Bible
When he arrived, the army commanders were sitting there, so he said, “I have a message for you, commander.” Jehu asked, “For which one of us? ” He answered, “For you, commander.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When he arrived, the army commanders were sitting there, so he said, “I have a message for you, commander.” Jehu asked, “For which one of us?” He answered, “For you, commander.”

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

Contemporary English Version
When he arrived, the army officers were meeting together. "Sir, I have a message for you," he said. "For which one of us?" Jehu asked. "You, sir," the prophet answered.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he arrived there, the army's generals were sitting together. He said, "I have something to tell you, General." Jehu asked, "Which one of us?" He answered, "You, General!"

Good News Translation
where he found the army officers in a conference. He said, "Sir, I have a message for you." Jehu asked, "Which one of us are you speaking to?" "To you, sir," he replied.

International Standard Version
When he arrived, the army commanders were seated, so he said, "I have a message for you, captain!" Jehu asked, "For which one of us?" "For you, captain!" he answered.

Majority Standard Bible
and when he arrived, the army commanders were sitting there. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said. “For which of us?” asked Jehu. “For you, commander,” he replied.

NET Bible
When he arrived, the officers of the army were sitting there. So he said, "I have a message for you, O officer." Jehu asked, "For which one of us?" He replied, "For you, O officer."

New Heart English Bible
When he came, look, the captains of the army were sitting. Then he said, "I have a message for you, captain." Jehu said, "To which of us all?" He said, "To you, O captain."

Webster's Bible Translation
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, To which of us all? And he said, To thee, O captain.

World English Bible
When he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting. Then he said, “I have a message for you, captain.” Jehu said, “To which one of us?” He said, “To you, O captain.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and comes in, and behold, chiefs of the force are sitting, and he says, “I have a word for you, O chief!” And Jehu says, “To which of all of us?” And he says, “To you, O chief.”

Young's Literal Translation
and cometh in, and lo, chiefs of the force are sitting, and he saith, 'I have a word unto thee, O chief!' and Jehu saith, 'Unto which of all of us?' and he saith, 'Unto thee, O chief.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will go in, and behold, the captains of the army sitting; and he will say, A word to me for thee the chief. And Jehu will say, To which of all of us? And he will say, To thee the chief.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And went in thither: and behold the captains of the army were sitting: and he said: I have a word to thee, O prince. And Jehu said: Unto whom of us all? And he said: To thee, O prince.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he entered that place, and behold, the leaders of the army were sitting there, and he said, “I have a word for you, O prince.” And Jehu said, “For which one among us all?” And he said, “For you, O prince.”

New American Bible
When he arrived, the commanders of the army were in session. He said, “I have a message for you, commander.” Jehu asked, “For which one of us?” “For you, commander,” he answered.

New Revised Standard Version
He arrived while the commanders of the army were in council, and he announced, “I have a message for you, commander.” “For which one of us?” asked Jehu. “For you, commander.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when he came in, behold, the commanders of the army were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to you, O commander. And Jehu said, To which of us? And he said to him, To you, O commander.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he came in and he saw the Generals of the army as they sat, and he said: “I have a message to relate to you, General.” And Yahu said to him: “To which of us all?” And he said to him: “To you, General.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 us all?' And he said: 'To thee, O captain.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he went in, and, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have a message to thee, O captain. And Ju said, To which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehu Anointed King of Israel
4So the young prophet went to Ramoth-gilead, 5and when he arrived, the army commanders were sitting there. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said. “For which of us?” asked Jehu. “For you, commander,” he replied. 6So Jehu got up and went into the house, where the young prophet poured the oil on his head and declared, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel.…

Cross References
1 Kings 19:16
You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.

1 Kings 16:1-3
Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha, saying: / “Even though I lifted you out of the dust and made you ruler over My people Israel, you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have caused My people Israel to sin and to provoke Me to anger by their sins. / So now I will consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat:

1 Samuel 16:12-13
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Kings 1:32-34
Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. / “Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. / There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

1 Kings 11:29-31
During that time, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met Jeroboam on the road as he was going out of Jerusalem. Now Ahijah had wrapped himself in a new cloak, and the two of them were alone in the open field. / And Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, / and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes.

1 Samuel 10:1
Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?

1 Samuel 9:16-17
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” / When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”

1 Kings 14:7-8
Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel. / I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes.

1 Kings 20:13-15
Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’” / “By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet. / So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all.

1 Kings 21:17-19
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, / “Get up and go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria. See, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession of it. / Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”

2 Samuel 5:3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

2 Samuel 2:4
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”

2 Samuel 12:7
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

1 Kings 22:7-8
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” / The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

1 Kings 22:17-18
So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” / Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?”


Treasury of Scripture

And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to you, O captain. And Jehu said, To which of all us? And he said, To you, O captain.

I have an errand

Judges 3:19
But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.

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Army Arrived Captain Captains Chief Chiefs Commander Commanders Council Errand Force Found Host Jehu Message Officers Seated Sitting Something Together Word
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Army Arrived Captain Captains Chief Chiefs Commander Commanders Council Errand Force Found Host Jehu Message Officers Seated Sitting Something Together Word
2 Kings 9
1. Elisha sends a young prophet with instructions to anoint Jehu at Ramoth Gilead
4. The prophet having done his message, flees
11. Jehu, being made king by the soldiers, kills Joram in the field of Naboth
27. Ahaziah is slain at Gur, and buried at Jerusalem
30. Proud Jezebel is thrown down out of a window, and eaten by dogs.














And when he arrived
This phrase sets the scene for a pivotal moment in Israel's history. The arrival signifies the fulfillment of God's plan through His prophet. The Hebrew root for "arrived" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which often implies coming with purpose or intention. This arrival is not random but divinely orchestrated, reminding us of God's sovereignty and timing in the unfolding of His will.

the captains of the army
The captains represent the military leadership of Israel, gathered together, possibly discussing matters of state or military strategy. In the Hebrew context, "captains" (שָׂרֵי הַחַיִל, sarei hachayil) indicates leaders of valor and strength. Their presence underscores the importance of the message about to be delivered, as it concerns the leadership and direction of the nation.

were sitting together
This phrase suggests a moment of calm before the storm, a gathering of leaders in a state of readiness or deliberation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sitting together often implied a council or meeting of significance. The unity of the captains here contrasts with the impending upheaval, highlighting the dramatic shift that Jehu's anointing will bring.

'I have a message for you, commander,'
The messenger's words are direct and urgent. The term "message" (דָּבָר, davar) in Hebrew can mean word, matter, or thing, often carrying the weight of divine communication. The use of "commander" (שָׂר, sar) acknowledges Jehu's authority and role, setting the stage for his divine appointment as king. This moment reflects the biblical theme of God choosing and speaking to individuals for His purposes.

'For which one of us?' asked Jehu
Jehu's question reveals his awareness of the significance of the message. It shows his readiness to respond to God's call, even if he does not yet know its full implications. His inquiry also highlights the personal nature of God's call, which often singles out individuals for specific tasks.

'For you, commander,' he replied
The reply confirms Jehu as the chosen instrument of God's plan. The repetition of "commander" emphasizes his role and the authority being conferred upon him. This moment marks the beginning of Jehu's divinely appointed mission to eradicate the house of Ahab, fulfilling the prophecy given to Elijah. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His word and His ability to raise leaders according to His purpose.

(5) And when he came, behold.--Rather, And he went in, and behold. He went into Jehu's headquarters.

The captains of the host were sitting.--In council with Jehu.

Verse 5. - And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting - either "sitting in council," or, at any rate, collected together in one place, not engaged in any active work, but seated - and he said, I have an errand - literally, a word - to thee, O captain. Probably he knew Jehu by sight, and looked at him as he spoke; but, as he addressed no one by name, there might be a doubt who was intended. Jehu, therefore, causes the doubt to be resolved by his question. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said - i.e., the young man the prophet answered - To thee, O captain. Jehu was thus singled out as the object of the message - the person to whom alone it was addressed, and whose special attention was, consequently, required to it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and when he arrived,
וַיָּבֹ֗א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the army
הַחַ֙יִל֙ (ha·ḥa·yil)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

commanders
שָׂרֵ֤י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

were sitting
יֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים (yō·šə·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

there.
וְהִנֵּ֨ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

“I have a message
דָּבָ֥ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

for you,
אֵלֶ֖יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

commander,”
הַשָּׂ֑ר (haś·śār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

he said.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“For
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

which
מִ֣י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

of us?”
מִכֻּלָּ֔נוּ (mik·kul·lā·nū)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

asked
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Jehu.
יֵהוּא֙ (yê·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3058: Jehu -- 'the LORD is He', the name of several Israelites

“For you,
אֵלֶ֥יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

commander,”
הַשָּֽׂר׃ (haś·śār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

he replied.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT History: 2 Kings 9:5 When he came behold the captains (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 9:4
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