What other biblical figures failed to follow God wholeheartedly like Jehu? Key Verse 2 Kings 10:31: “Yet Jehu did not 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.” Old Testament Figures Who Fell Short • King Saul – 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:22-23 • Started with humility but kept the best spoil, sparing Agag; partial obedience cost him the kingdom. • 1 Samuel 15:23: “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” • Solomon – 1 Kings 11:1-10 • Loved foreign wives, tolerated their idols. • 1 Kings 11:6: “Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had.” • Rehoboam – 2 Chronicles 12:1-14 • Abandoned the Law; Shishak’s invasion exposed his halfheartedness. • 2 Chronicles 12:14: “He did evil, because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD.” • King Asa (later years) – 2 Chronicles 16:7-10 • Trusted a Syrian alliance instead of the LORD, imprisoned the prophet Hanani. • 2 Chronicles 16:9: “For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro… to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are wholly devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this.” • King Amaziah – 2 Chronicles 25:1-2 • “Did what was right… but not wholeheartedly.” • Later brought Edomite idols home; a prophet warned him of coming judgment (vv. 14-16). • King Joash (Jehoash of Judah) – 2 Chronicles 24:2, 17-22 • Served God while Jehoiada lived; afterward turned to idolatry and killed Jehoiada’s son. • Verse 24: “Because they had forsaken the LORD… judgment was executed on Joash.” • King Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 • Strong until pride drove him to burn incense illegally; struck with leprosy. • Verse 16: “When he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction.” • Balaam – Numbers 22–24; 31:16 • Spoke God’s word yet longed for Balak’s reward; advised Israel’s seduction at Peor (Revelation 2:14). • Samson – Judges 13–16 • Nazarite calling, yet chased Philistine women, shared his secret; God used him but his divided heart cost him freedom and sight. New Testament Echoes • Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5:1-11 • Appeared generous yet lied about the gift’s full amount; judged instantly. • Demas – 2 Timothy 4:10 • “Loved this present world” and deserted Paul, showing a heart that cooled toward God’s mission. Common Threads • Initial zeal or blessing does not guarantee lifelong faithfulness. • Half-hearted obedience often shows up in selective submission, compromise with idols, or trust in human alliances. • God sees the heart and responds to integrity or compromise (1 Chronicles 28:9; Hebrews 4:13). Personal Takeaways • Wholehearted devotion means consistent obedience, not occasional flashes of zeal. • Guard against gradual drift—small compromises can grow into entrenched sin. • Stay teachable; prophets and Scripture offer corrections that preserve spiritual health if heeded. |
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