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.
Biography
- Occupation
- Commander, King of Israel
- Father
- Jehoshaphat (son of Nimshi)
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
- Nationality
- Israelite
Family
Did You Know?
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.
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).
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.
1nd 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:
Jehu Destroys Baal Worship
2 Kings 10:18-28
By stratagem Jehu gathers and slays the worshippers of Baal, cleansing Israel of that idolatry.
18nd Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.