When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the fellow and his talk.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jehu's subtle, yet pointed, response reveals his cleverness; he doesn't deny the man's strangeness but implies the others already know and understand the prophet's eccentricities. This hints that they might also be in on the "talk" or at least receptive to it, setting the stage for Jehu's bold actions.
When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the fellow and his talk.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jehu has just been secretly anointed king by a prophet, who then fled, leaving Jehu to face his fellow officers. They question him about the strange encounter, noting the prophet's wild appearance and asking if everything is okay. Jehu, now a conspirator with divine backing, deflects their suspicion by acknowledging the prophet's notorious reputation, setting the stage for his coup.
Have you ever been judged based on someone else's skewed perspective? Jehu faces a situation where his colleagues are quick to label and dismiss.
The servants of Jehu immediately jump to conclusions about the wild man who visited him. They label him a "mad fellow" and question Jehu based on this assumption. This highlights how easily people can fall into gossip and judgment, not seeking truth but repeating whispers.
Sometimes, the most powerful response isn't a defense, but a redirection. Jehu handles a loaded question with masterful ambiguity.
Instead of directly addressing the servants' accusation or defending the 'mad fellow,' Jehu uses a response that acknowledges their existing perception without confirming it.
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Understand the original words
mĕshûgāʿ · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A person who acts in a manner contrary to social or religious norms, often used by those who do not understand or value prophetic behavior inspired by the Holy Spirit. In this context, it reflects the servants' disdain for the prophet's radical message.
Jehu's anointing by Elisha was a divinely ordained, violent revolution. The 'mad fellow' is the young prophet sent by Elisha, whose sudden appearance and bizarre actions signaled Jehu's imminent, divinely sanctioned rise to power and the judgment upon Ahab's wicked house.
c. 874-853 BC
Reign of Ahab and Jezebel
King Ahab and his Phoenician wife Jezebel ruled Israel, known for their wicked idolatry and persecution of prophets. This sets the stage for intense spiritual and political turmoil.
c. 841 BC
Elijah Anoints Elisha
The prophet Elijah, in his final acts, anoints Elisha as his successor, carrying on God's prophetic work and judgment against the corrupt northern kingdom of Israel.
c. 841 BC
Hazael Anointed King of Aram
Elisha anoints Hazael as king over Aram (Syria), fulfilling prophecy and initiating a period of conflict and oppression for Israel.
c. 841 BC— this verse
Jehu Anointed King of Israel
Elisha sends a young prophet to anoint Jehu, a commander in the army, as king over Israel. This act is a direct divine commission to overthrow the house of Ahab.
c. 841 BC
Jehu's Violent Coup
Jehu carries out his anointing, ruthlessly slaughtering King Joram, Queen Jezebel, and all of Ahab's remaining family and supporters, bringing an end to their dynasty.
This passage describes Saul prophesying after being anointed king, which others mocked as 'madness,' mirroring the similar reaction to Jehu's prophetic actions in 2 Kings 9.
1 Kings 18:29When Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal, his actions and passionate words were perceived by onlookers as a form of instability or 'madness' by those who didn't understand his divine commission.
Acts 2:13In the New Testament, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost led some bystanders to accuse the disciples of being drunk or 'full of new wine,' demonstrating how divine empowerment can be misunderstood as madness by the uninitiated.
Jeremiah 20:7Jeremiah expresses his frustration with God's call, feeling that he has been persuaded into a role that now makes him a 'laughingstock,' a sentiment of being misunderstood and potentially seen as foolish that resonates with Jehu's situation.
Jehu's subtle, yet pointed, response reveals his cleverness; he doesn't deny the man's strangeness but implies the others already know and understand the prophet's eccentricities. This hints that they might also be in on the "talk" or at least receptive to it, setting the stage for Jehu's bold actions.
Jehu has just been secretly anointed king by a prophet, who then fled, leaving Jehu to face his fellow officers. They question him about the strange encounter, noting the prophet's wild appearance and asking if everything is okay. Jehu, now a conspirator with divine backing, deflects their suspicion by acknowledging the prophet's notorious reputation, setting the stage for his coup.
Jehu has just been secretly anointed king by a prophet, who then fled, leaving Jehu to face his fellow officers. They question him about the strange encounter, noting the prophet's wild appearance and asking if everything is okay. Jehu, now a conspirator with divine backing, deflects their suspicion by acknowledging the prophet's notorious reputation, setting the stage for his coup.
"When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the fellow and his talk.”" — Jehu's subtle, yet pointed, response reveals his cleverness; he doesn't deny the man's strangeness but implies the others already know and understand the prophet's eccentricities. This hints that t…
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Last reviewed October 2026