Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat and grandson of Nimshi, emerges as a prominent figure in the history of Israel, known for his zealous enthusiasm in executing the judgment of God against the house of Ahab. His account is primarily recorded in 2 Kings 9-10, where he is anointed as king over Israel by a young prophet sent by Elisha. Jehu's reign marks a significant turning point in the spiritual and political landscape of the Northern Kingdom.

Anointing and Mission

Jehu's anointing is a divine appointment with a specific mission: to eradicate the house of Ahab and eliminate Baal worship from Israel. The prophet's message to Jehu is clear: "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 hand of Jezebel" (2 Kings 9:7). This charge ignites Jehu's fervor, setting him on a path of decisive action.

Execution of Judgment

Jehu's enthusiasm is immediately evident as he rides to Jezreel, where Joram, the king of Israel, and Ahaziah, the king of Judah, are present. With swift and unrelenting zeal, Jehu confronts and kills Joram, declaring, "How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?" (2 Kings 9:22). Ahaziah is also struck down as he attempts to flee, further demonstrating Jehu's commitment to his divine mandate.

Jehu's zeal reaches its peak with the infamous encounter with Jezebel. As he enters Jezreel, Jezebel confronts him from a window, but Jehu commands her eunuchs to throw her down, fulfilling the prophecy of her demise (2 Kings 9:30-33). His actions are not merely political but are driven by a fervent desire to cleanse Israel of idolatry and fulfill the word of the LORD.

Destruction of Ahab's Line and Baal Worship

Jehu's enthusiasm does not wane as he continues to eradicate the remnants of Ahab's lineage. He orchestrates the execution of Ahab's seventy sons in Samaria, sending their heads in baskets to Jezreel as a testament to his thoroughness (2 Kings 10:6-7). His zeal is further demonstrated in his cunning plan to destroy the worshipers of Baal. Jehu deceives them into gathering for a grand sacrifice, only to trap and slaughter them, thus purging Baal worship from Israel (2 Kings 10:18-28).

Assessment of Jehu's Enthusiasm

Jehu's enthusiasm is a double-edged sword. While he fulfills God's command to destroy Ahab's house and Baal worship, his methods and motivations are complex. The LORD commends Jehu for executing His judgment, saying, "Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation" (2 Kings 10:30). However, Jehu's failure to turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, specifically the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, reveals a limitation in his spiritual reform (2 Kings 10:29).

Jehu's account serves as a powerful example of enthusiasm in the service of divine justice, illustrating both the potential and the pitfalls of zeal without complete obedience to God's law. His legacy is a reminder of the importance of aligning fervor with faithfulness to God's commands.2 Kings 9:1-14
And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said to him, Gird up your loins, and take this box of oil in your hand, and go to Ramothgilead:
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 10:1-28
And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Impure Zeal
... But Jehu sets forth the possible imperfections of 'zeal for the Lord.' We may defer ...
to the taint of selfishness and to the leaven of deceit in his enthusiasm. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/impure zeal.htm

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... for those whose moral power was weak that He raised up Jehu to slay ... In proportion
to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... His eloquence lashed the multitude to enthusiasm and acts of turbulent violence. ...
in which He was commanded to anoint Hazael king over Syria, and Jehu king over ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... And whence, too, that constantly increasing interest, that burning enthusiasm, born
of ... The superscription reads: "The tribute of Jehu, son of Omri, silver, gold ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Chronicles
... the motive is to glorify his heroes or to magnify their enthusiasm or devotion. ... The
"book of Jehu," which recorded the history of Jehoshaphat, is said to be ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/chronicles.htm

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
... Compare the enthronement of Jehu (II. Kings ix.13). ... [It is possible that these may
have been moved with an honest fear that the enthusiasm of the people would ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cv jesus triumphal entry into.htm

Knox, Wishart, and the Murder of Beaton: 1545-1546
... opponent of their religious cause was to imitate Phinehas, Jael, Jehu, and other ...
The enthusiasm which induced a priest, notary, and teacher like Knox to carry ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter ii knox wishart and.htm

Jehoiada and Joash
... Jehu had also murdered 'the brethren of Ahaziah,' forty-two in number ... had been king
David's' becomes intelligible, and would rouse them to enthusiasm and daring ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoiada and joash.htm

Jer. 6:16 the Good Way.
... side you see the many "driving furiously," like Jehu, after business ... thoroughly,
believed intensely, and propagated unhesitatingly, with a burning enthusiasm. ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter v jer 6 16 the.htm

Knox in England: the Black Rubric: Exile: 1549-1554
... expressing his own thirst for the Queen's death, and praying for a Jehu or a ... most
valiant when he had armed men at his back; he had no enthusiasm for taking ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter iv knox in england .htm

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