2 Kings 9:36 - Exposition

Wherefore they came again, and told him. The men whom he had sent to bury Jezebel returned, and told the king what they had found. The narrative woke another chord of memory which had hitherto slept. And he said, This is the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite. The prophecy referred to is doubtless that recorded in 1 Kings 21:23 . It is, however, here expanded, either because Jehu's recollection was not exact, or because the record in 1 Kings is abbreviated. The great point of the prophecy is common to both records, viz. that the dogs should eat Jezebel at Jezreel, on the scene of her iniquities. Saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel. It is not quite clear what is meant by the portion ( צֵלָק ) of Jezreel. Probably there is no allusion to the "portion" ( צֶלְקָה ) of Naboth (verses 25, 26). Rather the same is meant as by צֵל in 1 Kings 21:23 , viz. the cultivated space or "portion" of land outside the wall of the town (see the comment on that passage).