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Jehu (King)

Portrait of Jehu (King)

Jehu was an army commander anointed king of Israel at God's command by a young prophet, charged with destroying the house of Ahab. Driving furiously toward Jezreel, he killed both King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah, ordered Jezebel thrown from her window, and slaughtered the priests of Baal, purging Baal worship from the land. Yet he did not fully follow the LORD, clinging to the golden calves of Jeroboam, so his zeal was rewarded only to the fourth generation.

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Biography

Occupation
Commander, King of Israel
Father
Jehoshaphat (son of Nimshi)
Era
Divided Kingdom
Nationality
Israelite

Family

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Jehu (King)
Old Testament Divided Kingdom King 2 Kings Warrior

Did You Know?

1

Jehu was famous for driving his chariot 'furiously' (2 Kings 9:20), and his name became a byword for reckless speed; he is also depicted on the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, bowing to the Assyrian king - one of the only contemporary images of an Israelite monarch.

2

He wiped out the house of Ahab, had Jezebel thrown from a window, and destroyed Baal worship in Israel through an elaborate ruse, gathering its worshippers under pretense of a great sacrifice (2 Kings 10).

3

Despite his zeal, Jehu clung to the golden calves of Jeroboam, so God limited his reward: his dynasty would last only to the fourth generation, the longest of any northern dynasty.

Key Chapters

Key Passages

Jehu Anointed King

2 Kings 9:1-10

A prophet secretly anoints Jehu and commissions him to strike down the wicked house of Ahab.

A1nd Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:

2 And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber; 3 Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not. 4 So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead. 5 And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain. 6 And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel. 7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. 8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel: 9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah: 10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled.

Read full chapter: 2 Kings 9 โ†’

Jehu Destroys Baal Worship

2 Kings 10:18-28

By stratagem Jehu gathers and slays the worshippers of Baal, cleansing Israel of that idolatry.

A18nd Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.

19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. 20 And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. 21 And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. 22 And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. 23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only. 24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. 25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. 26 And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. 27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

Read full chapter: 2 Kings 10 โ†’