Jehu
“Jehovah is He or The Living One”
Summary
The eleventh king of Israel and founder of its fourth dynasty, who was anointed by Elisha's messenger to execute divine judgment upon the house of Ahab, destroying Baal worship but perpetuating the calf worship of Jeroboam.
☩Prophetic Commission
Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, grandson of Nimshi, was known in his youth as a chariot commander whose furious driving could be recognized from a distance. He had served as one of Ahab's guards and, with his comrade Bidkar, had heard Elijah's prophecy against Ahab at Naboth's vineyard—a prophecy he would later fulfill. In the vision at Horeb, Elijah had been instructed to anoint Jehu as king of Israel to execute vengeance, but this task was reserved for Elisha. When Jehoram lay wounded at Jezreel and Jehu commanded the army at Ramoth-gilead, Elisha sent a young prophet to anoint him. The youth poured oil on Jehu's head, announced that he was appointed to destroy the house of Ahab, and then fled.
☩The Revolution
Jehu was equal to the task and the occasion. When his fellow commanders learned of his anointing, they threw their garments under his feet as a carpet of state, placed him on the top of the stairs as an impromptu throne, and proclaimed him king with trumpet blasts. He immediately sealed off communication between Ramoth-gilead and Jezreel, then rode at full speed with a band of horsemen. King Jehoram, though wounded, went out to meet him in the field of Naboth itself. When Jehoram asked 'Is it peace?' Jehu answered, 'What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?' He drew his bow and shot Jehoram through the heart, ordering the body cast into Naboth's field in fulfillment of prophecy. King Ahaziah of Judah, present on a visit, was also pursued and mortally wounded.
☩Death of Jezebel
Entering Jezreel, Jehu passed beneath the palace where Jezebel herself appeared at a window, adorned for effect, taunting him: 'Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?' Unmoved, Jehu called out, 'Who is on my side? Who?' When eunuchs appeared at the window, he commanded, 'Throw her down!' Jezebel was dashed to the pavement and trampled by horses. When Jehu later sent to bury her, they found only her skull, feet, and palms of her hands—dogs had eaten her flesh according to Elijah's prophecy. Jehu then sent letters to Samaria demanding the heads of Ahab's seventy sons, which were delivered and piled in two heaps at the city gate. He slew all who remained of Ahab's house, along with forty-two princes of Judah traveling to visit Ahaziah.
☩Destruction of Baal Worship
Jehu's most notable religious act was the extermination of Baal worship from Israel. Feigning devotion to Baal, he proclaimed a solemn assembly and gathered all Baal's prophets, priests, and worshippers into the temple of Baal. After ensuring no worshippers of Yahweh were present, he commanded his guards to slaughter every person within. The temple was demolished and made into a latrine. 'Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.' However, his reformation was incomplete: he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam—the golden calves at Bethel and Dan remained. Because he had executed what was right in God's eyes regarding Ahab's house, God promised that his sons to the fourth generation would sit on Israel's throne.
☩Later Reign and Assessment
The latter part of Jehu's reign was less successful. Hazael of Syria invaded Israel's territory east of the Jordan, conquering Gilead from Aroer to Bashan. Jehu reigned twenty-eight years (c. 842-815 BC) and was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz. The famous Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III depicts 'Iaua son of Omri' (Jehu) paying tribute to Assyria—one of the earliest depictions of an Israelite king. Hosea later prophesied that God would 'avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu,' indicating that even a divinely commissioned act, when performed with excessive cruelty and self-serving motives, brings consequences. Jehu's zeal was genuine in destroying Baal worship but did not extend to full covenant faithfulness.
Related Verses57 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jehu," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).