Topical Bible: Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Jehu

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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 an instrument of God's justice.

Anointed as King

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, 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 were killed by the hand of Jezebel.'"

Execution of Judgment

Jehu's reign is marked by his fervent commitment to fulfilling the prophetic word against the house of Ahab. He swiftly moved to eliminate King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah, both of whom were associated with Ahab's lineage. Jehu's actions were in direct obedience to God's command to eradicate the idolatrous influence of Ahab and Jezebel from Israel.

One of Jehu's most notable acts was the execution of Jezebel, Ahab's notorious wife, who had led Israel into Baal worship. As recorded in 2 Kings 9:33 , Jehu commanded her death: "'Throw her down!' Jehu shouted. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot."

Destruction of Baal Worship

Jehu's zeal extended beyond the house of Ahab to the eradication of Baal worship in Israel. He cunningly gathered all the prophets and worshipers of Baal under the pretense of a grand sacrifice, only to have them slaughtered. This decisive action is detailed in 2 Kings 10:28 : "Thus Jehu eradicated Baal from Israel."

Assessment of Jehu's Reign

While Jehu's actions fulfilled God's judgment against Ahab's house and purged Baal worship, his reign is not without criticism. Despite his zeal, Jehu failed to turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who had led Israel into idolatry with the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. 2 Kings 10:31 notes, "Yet Jehu was not careful to walk in the Law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit."

Legacy

Jehu's legacy is complex. He is remembered as a king who executed God's judgment with fervor and eradicated Baal worship from Israel. However, his failure to fully commit to the ways of the LORD and his continuation of Jeroboam's idolatry mar his legacy. Jehu reigned over Israel for 28 years, and his dynasty continued for four generations, as promised by God in 2 Kings 10:30 : "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."

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2 Kings 10:16-30
And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
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Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Zimri, the assassin of Elah, and Jehu occupied the ... history, their rituals of theology
and religious worship, their ... had had its effect on their religion as well ...
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