Reading for July 7th

Read 2 Kings 9
In 9.1-10.36 Jehu's revolt.
In 9.1-3 the revolt is begun by Elisha.
Again, the anointing of Jehu is apparently meant as a carrying out of the commission to Elijah (1 Kings 19.16).
In verses 7-10a these verses are an addition by the deuteronomistic editor.
They violate Elisha's order to anoint Jehu and flee (v.3).
They are also comparable tot he prophetic oracles against the houses of Jeroboam (1 Kings 14.7-11), Baasha (1 Kings 16.2-4), and Ahab (1Kings 21.21-24).
As in 1 Kings 21.21-24, the dynasty here is referred to as the house of Ahab (vv.8-9), even though it is actually the house of Omri.
The reason is the focal role of Ahab's reign in 1-2 Kings and his reputation as the worst king of Israel (1 King 21.25).
In verse 11 in part because of such ecstatic experiences, a prophet was sometimes called a madman (Jer 29.26; Hos 9.7).
In verse 13 by spreading their cloaks before him, the other commanders signal their submission to Jehu as their king (Mt 21.8).
In verses 21,25-26 either the story of Jehu's revolt has been tailored as a fulfillment of Elijah's oracle on 1 Kings 21 in punishment for the murder of Naboth, or the verses reflect the original setting of the oracle against Ahab and Jezebel, which has been changed in order to attribute it to Elijah in 1 Kings 21.
In verse 22 whoredoms probably refers to the worship of other gods, as frequently is the case in the Bible. (Compare with Hosea)
Sorceries may also refer to other practices (divination and the like) associated with the worship of other gods.
In verse 30 it is not clear why Jezebel dresses up.
It may be that she is described this way in order to fit the image of a prostitute.
In verse 31 Jezebel calls Jehu Zimri because Zimri led a revolt and was the murderer of (his) master.
Zimri's subsequent reign lasted only seven days, so that Jezebel is also implying that Jehu's kingship will be unsuccessful (1 Kings16.9-20).
In verses 32-33 eunuchs were used to guard the harem.
Jezebel was thrown from the second story of the building.
In verses 34-37 Jezebel's death is described as the fulfillment, though elaborated of Elijah's prophecy in 1 Kings 21.23.
Her gruesome end fulfills the threat of non-burial in 1 Kings 21.24 (compare 2 Kings 9.10).
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