JEHU: Ha, my Prophet!

PROPHET: Is all well?

JEHU: Yes. All goes well. This King, this imbecile, this Ahab, still is sulking like a child, speaking with no one, making all things easy for us, my Prophet, who will now succeed. Nothing can stop us now. All works for us. Ahab is hated; Jezebel detested; the army sickened at their loss of plunder, all hot against them both. Our only danger their son, Prince Ahaziah, far away, their other son, Prince Joram, working for us. And now this feast to Naboth as a crown to all these helps, an opportunity.

PROPHET: Truly our work is godly, since it prospers. Since all is thriving, it is surely time that we set forth together to this feast.

JEHU: Wait, yet, my Prophet, while I ask you this: what objects will be served by this our feast?

PROPHET: Why, it will honour Naboth for resisting the tyrant whom we hate, and give our friends a chance to come together with Prince Joram to cry aloud for war with Syria.

JEHU: True, Prophet; “Honour Naboth; cry for war;” such were our objects when we planned the feast - that was the plan, but, friend, it is not now. No, Prophet, no; for I have changed my mind. This feast to Naboth which we have prepared must be the prelude to a mightier deed. Prophet, I know thy zeal for true religion, and you know mine; now, therefore, stand by me. I am determined to be King this day. The chances are all for me, and the feast puts them within my hand for me to take. Now, therefore, Prophet, when you see me there, sitting at feast among the men-of-war, send out some youngling of the Prophet tribe there to anoint me King in Ahab’s stead. Then I will rise and lead those men-at-arms to end this Ahab and his Jezebel, and stamp them with our horses’ feet, and bring a true religion back: by God, we need it. No. Doubt not the success. Anoint me King, the men will follow. For, by God, now, Prophet, look at my eyes, I mean this to succeed. This is the way, because all other ways, the way we planned before and any way, must end in this; so send the stripling to me. Make me the King.

PROPHET: Truly a spirit speaks within you, Jehu. Truly the devilries of Jezebel have brimmed the cup, and Ahab’s treachery has spilled it over. You shall be the King. Here with my blood I do anoint you King. My young man shall anoint you with the oil, but will the captains follow you as King?

JEHU: They’ll follow; some for plunder, some for 

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