Jehu, the 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 an instrument of God's justice.

Anointing and Rise to Power

Jehu's rise to power was divinely orchestrated. The prophet Elisha, following the instructions of Elijah, 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, where the young 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. And 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.'"

Jehu's anointing marked the beginning of a divinely sanctioned mission to eradicate the idolatry and corruption that had permeated Israel under Ahab and his wife, Jezebel.

Execution of Judgment

Jehu's first act as king was to confront Joram, the reigning king of Israel, and Ahaziah, the king of Judah, who were both in Jezreel. In a dramatic encounter, Jehu killed Joram with an arrow, declaring, "Surely I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday, declares the LORD, and I will repay you on this plot of ground" (2 Kings 9:26). Ahaziah was also pursued and killed, fulfilling the prophecy against the house of Ahab.

Jehu's zeal continued with the execution of Jezebel, who met her end as prophesied by Elijah. Jehu ordered her thrown from a window, and her body was trampled by horses, leaving only her skull, feet, and hands, as recorded in 2 Kings 9:33-35 .

Purge of Ahab's House and Baal Worship

Jehu's campaign against Ahab's lineage was thorough. He orchestrated the killing of Ahab's seventy sons in Samaria, as well as the execution of all who remained of Ahab's house, his great men, close friends, and priests, leaving no survivor (2 Kings 10:11).

In a cunning move to eradicate Baal worship, Jehu gathered all the prophets and worshipers of Baal under the pretense of a grand sacrifice. Once assembled, he ordered their execution, thus purging Baal worship from Israel (2 Kings 10:18-28).

Reign and Legacy

Jehu reigned over Israel for twenty-eight years. His reign is noted for the eradication of Baal worship, yet he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which included the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan (2 Kings 10:29). Despite this, the LORD commended Jehu for his actions against Ahab's house, promising that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation (2 Kings 10:30).

Jehu's legacy is one of fervent, albeit incomplete, reform. His actions fulfilled God's judgment against Ahab's house, yet his failure to fully turn Israel back to the LORD highlights the complexities of his character and reign. His account serves as a testament to the divine justice and the consequences of idolatry and disobedience in the history of Israel.