Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat and grandson of Nimshi, is a prominent figure in the history of Israel, known for his rapid and zealous driving. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 and 2 Kings, where he is anointed as king over Israel and tasked with executing divine judgment against the house of Ahab.

The account of Jehu's rapid driving is vividly described in 2 Kings 9. After being anointed by a young prophet sent by Elisha, Jehu immediately sets out to fulfill his mission. His driving is notably characterized by its speed and intensity, which becomes a hallmark of his approach to carrying out God's commands.

In 2 Kings 9:20 , a watchman reports to King Joram, "The lookout reported, 'He has reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a madman.'" This description highlights Jehu's fervor and determination, as he drives his chariot with a sense of urgency and purpose.

Jehu's rapid driving is symbolic of his zeal for the Lord's work. His swift actions lead to the downfall of the house of Ahab, as he executes King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah, and later, Queen Jezebel. Jehu's commitment to eradicating Baal worship from Israel further demonstrates his dedication to restoring the worship of Yahweh.

The narrative of Jehu's rapid driving serves as a reminder of the importance of zeal and decisiveness in fulfilling God's commands. His actions, while violent and forceful, are portrayed as necessary for the purification of Israel and the reestablishment of covenantal faithfulness.

Jehu's account is a complex one, as his zeal is both commendable and cautionary. While he accomplishes much for the Lord, his reign is also marked by excess and a failure to fully turn the hearts of the people back to God. Nevertheless, his rapid driving remains a memorable aspect of his character, illustrating the fervent pursuit of divine justice.2 Kings 9:20
And the watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and comes not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
Nave's Topical Index

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... or at the most eight, months had sufficed to achieve these rapid successes over ... haste,
collected the few herds of cattle he could find, and driving them back ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... and the Litany, and had moved southwards, driving the Canaanites ... They seem to have
made the same rapid progress in the ... only till about the reign of Jehu, as we ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... its right and left banks, as if to escape from its bed, but the rocky escarpments
which hem it in present an insurmountable barrier to it; from rapid to rapid ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

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