Without any prior notice, Elisha commissions an unnamed member of the prophetic guild to anoint Jehu king of Israel (9:1–13). The prophet is instructed to take a “flask” of oil. The only other king to be anointed with a flask is Saul; the allusion to his ill-starred reign may signal that Jehu’s term in office might be complicated. A brief comparison between Elisha’s instruction and the other prophet’s words to Jehu highlights a discrepancy: the prophet’s report to Jehu (9:6–10) is considerably longer. It is unclear whether such “additions,” including the command to massacre Ahab’s house for revenge, are authorized by Elisha. Does this prophet speak for Elisha or on his own initiative? Moreover, why is the assembled group so quick to proclaim Jehu as king? Were they plotting an overthrow? …