2 Kings

2 Kings 10:1-7

Jehu had direction from God but he seemed to overstep his bounds.  There is a sense that Jehu enjoyed this bloodshed a little too much.  The seventy sons of Ahab were in Samaria.  This is a fairly big threat to Jehu; these men all had a claim to the throne and might find it worth fighting for.  In the letter to the guardians of the seventy Jehu invited them to put together their best and take the throne and be willing to fight for it. 

However, the elders and caregivers of these seventy were struck with fear.  Their fear of Jehu overwhelmed any loyalty they might have had to the house of Ahab.  This probably reveals a lack of respect for Ahab's house born out of Ahab's pour leadership and inability to care for the people; he was self-centered and immoral – a dangerous combination. 

These elders and caregivers pledged their loyalty to Jehu.  In return Jehu sent a second message for these men to kill the seventy and send their heads to Jezreel.  Their fear drove them to perform this gruesome task at the urging of Jehu. 

2 Kings 10:8-11

The heads were then placed in two piles at the entrance to the gate.  This was common practice in that day to discourage rebellion.  The message was, "Don't mess with Jehu and the Lord he serves!" 

Jehu goes out to the gate in the morning; and while he acknowledges he killed the king, but acted innocent of the killing of the seventy.  It's as if here were putting it on the people.  But the real messaage was that God's will was done.  He willed this judgment and the prophcy given by Elijah had been fulfilled. 

But, again, we see Jehu doesn't stop there.  He continued to slaughter by killing anyone acquainted with Ahab and even the priests.  There was no indication that the Lord called for him to do this, nor was there any benefit. 

2 Kings 10:12-14

On the way to Samaria Jehu ran into the relatives of Ahaziah, king of Judah.  They were not aware that Jehu had killed Ahaziah.  Because Ahaziah had married the daughter of Ahab, Jehu looked at these cousins or nephews as part of God's judgment.  He took them all prisoner and executed all fourty-two at Beth Eked (house of sheepshearing). 

2 Kings 10:15-17

We don't know a lot about Jehonadab other than he was a leader of the Rechabites.  This was a reform movement in Israel, devout to the Lord and despising what was happening in the palaces of the king.  Jeremiah speaks of the Rechabites as an example of faithfulness in Jeremiah 35.  For Jehu to be seen with Jehonadab offered legitimacy to him.  Jehu was indeed zealous for the Lord, but in putting this zeal on display for Jehonadab we get a glimpse of his pride. 

2 Kings 10:18-28

In one big deception Jehu purges Baal worship from Israel.  He called for a sacrifice beyond any ever offered before.  He announced he would outdo any previous king and that every priest worshiping Baal was to be present.  All these men were gathered for this large sacrifice and put their vestments on them so would be easily recognized.  The after the sacrifice, the slaughter began.  Then they broke down and burned the sacred pillars and burned the temple of Baal. 

2 Kings 10:29-31

Even in this purging of evil, Jehu stopped short.  He continued to lead the people in worship of the golden calf at Bethe and Dan.  God granted Jehu four generations on the throne for doing what was right in God's sight.  But Jehu's resonse was to walk his own way and not heed the law of the Lord.  He led Israel to sin as all before him had done.

2 Kings 10:32-3

Jehu was king for 28 years.  Within in those years, the Lord began to cut off portions from Israel.  When he died, Jehoahaz, his son, became king. 

©2016 Doug Ford