Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat and grandson of Nimshi, emerges as a significant figure in the history of Israel, known for his zealous execution of divine judgment against the house of Ahab. His account is primarily recorded in the books of 1 and 2 Kings, where he is depicted as a reformer and a king who sought to eradicate Baal worship from Israel. Anointing and Rise to Power: Jehu's rise to power was divinely orchestrated. The prophet Elisha, following the command of God, sent a young prophet to anoint Jehu as king over Israel. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 9:6-7: "So Jehu got up and went into the house, and the prophet poured the oil on his head and declared, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel. You are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and all the servants of the LORD who died at the hands of Jezebel.'" Execution of Judgment: Jehu's first act as king was to fulfill the prophecy against the house of Ahab. He killed Joram, the king of Israel, and Ahaziah, the king of Judah, as recorded in 2 Kings 9:24-27. Jehu's zeal continued as he confronted Jezebel, the infamous queen, leading to her death as prophesied by Elijah (2 Kings 9:30-37). Jehu's campaign of judgment extended to the entire house of Ahab. He orchestrated the massacre of Ahab's seventy sons in Samaria, as well as the execution of all who remained of Ahab's family, fulfilling the word of the LORD spoken through Elijah (2 Kings 10:1-11). Religious Reforms: Jehu's reign is marked by his efforts to eradicate Baal worship from Israel. He cunningly gathered all the prophets and worshipers of Baal under the pretense of a grand sacrifice, only to have them slaughtered, thus purging Baal worship from the land (2 Kings 10:18-28). Despite these reforms, Jehu did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which involved the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan (2 Kings 10:29-31). Legacy and Evaluation: Jehu reigned over Israel for twenty-eight years. His reign is noted for its initial zeal and decisive action against idolatry, yet it is also marked by his failure to fully return to the worship of Yahweh alone. The LORD commended Jehu for executing His judgments against the house of Ahab, promising that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation (2 Kings 10:30). However, Jehu's incomplete reforms and continued idolatry led to a mixed legacy. Historical and Theological Significance: Jehu's account is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. His actions fulfilled divine prophecy and demonstrated the LORD's intolerance of idolatry and apostasy. Jehu's reign serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of incomplete obedience and the importance of wholehearted devotion to God. His life and actions are a testament to the complex interplay of divine judgment, human agency, and the enduring consequences of sin and idolatry in the history of Israel. Library Impure Zeal Elisha's Closing Ministry 'A Mirror for Magistrates' Whether all Dissimulation is a Sin? The Kingdom Op Judah. The Kingdom of Samaria. How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ... Exile: Appeals for a Phinehas, and a Jehu: 1554 How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ... The Captain of the Lord's Host Thesaurus Jehu's (6 Occurrences)...Jehu's (6 Occurrences). ... 2 Kings 9:17 And the watchman stood on the tower in Jizreel, and saw Jehu's company as he came, and said, I see a company. ... /j/jehu's.htm - 8k Jehu (63 Occurrences) Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences) Kingdom (409 Occurrences) Naboth (18 Occurrences) Nimshi (5 Occurrences) Jehush (1 Occurrence) Jehu'el (1 Occurrence) Jehoram (27 Occurrences) Jizreel (30 Occurrences) Resources Who was King Jehu in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jehu destroy the Baal worship in Israel but not the worship of golden calves? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Ahaziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Jehu's (6 Occurrences)2 Kings 9:6 2 Kings 9:17 2 Kings 10:34 2 Kings 10:36 2 Kings 12:1 2 Chronicles 22:8 Subtopics Related Terms |