(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.

9:1-10 In these and the like events, we must acknowledge the secret working of God, disposing men to fulfil his purposes respecting them. Jehu was anointed king over Israel, by the Lord's special choice. The Lord still had a remnant of his people, and would yet preserve his worship among them. Of this Jehu was reminded. He was commanded to destroy the house of Ahab, and, as far as he acted in obedience to God, and upon right principles, he needed not to regard reproach or opposition. The murder of God's prophets is strongly noticed. Jezebel persisted in idolatry and enmity to Jehovah and his servants, and her iniquity was now full.And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting,.... Either at a table, being at dinner, or at a council of war:

and he said, I have an errand unto thee, O captain; looking and directing his speech to Jehu; or, "I have a word to thee" (l); something to say to thee, intimating that he desired to speak to him alone:

and Jehu said, unto which of all us? not perhaps at first thoroughly understanding who he meant; or however was willing to have it repeated and explained, that it might be manifest to the whole company that he was intended:

and he said, to thee, O captain; and to him only.

(l) "verbum mihi ad te", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus.