4. So the young prophet went to Ramoth,
5. 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.
6. Then the two of them went indoors, and the young prophet poured the olive oil on Jehu's head and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, proclaims: ‘I anoint you king of my people Israel.
7. You are to kill your master the king, that son of Ahab, so that I may punish Jezebel for murdering my prophets and my other servants.
8. All Ahab's family and descendants are to die; I will get rid of every male in his family, young and old alike.
9. I will treat his family as I did the families of King Jeroboam of Israel and of King Baasha of Israel.
10. Jezebel will not be buried; her body will be eaten by dogs in the territory of Jezreel.’ ” After saying this, the young prophet left the room and fled.
11. Jehu went back to his fellow-officers, who asked him, “Is everything all right? What did that crazy fellow want with you?”“You know what he wanted,” Jehu answered.
12. “No we don't!” they replied. “Tell us what he said!”“He told me that the Lord proclaims: ‘I anoint you king of Israel.’ ”
13. At once Jehu's fellow-officers spread their cloaks at the top of the steps for Jehu to stand on, blew trumpets, and shouted, “Jehu is king!”
14-15. Then Jehu plotted against King Joram, who was in Jezreel, where he had gone to recover from the wounds which he had received in the battle at Ramoth against King Hazael of Syria. So Jehu said to his fellow-officers, “If you are with me, make sure that no one slips out of Ramoth to go and warn the people in Jezreel.”
16. Then he got into his chariot and set off for Jezreel. Joram had still not recovered, and King Ahaziah of Judah was there, visiting him.
17. A guard on duty in the watchtower at Jezreel saw Jehu and his men approaching. “I see some men riding up!” he called out.Joram replied, “Send a rider to find out if they are friends or enemies.”
18. The messenger rode out to Jehu and said to him, “The king wants to know if you come as a friend.”“That's none of your business!” Jehu answered. “Fall in behind me.”The guard on the watchtower reported that the messenger had reached the group but was not returning.
19. Another messenger was sent out, who asked Jehu the same question. Again Jehu answered, “That's none of your business! Fall in behind me.”
20. Once more the guard reported that the messenger had reached the group but was not returning. And he added, “The leader of the group is driving his chariot like a madman, just like Jehu!”