Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat and grandson of Nimshi, was anointed as king of Israel by the prophet Elisha, acting on the instructions of God (2 Kings 9:1-3). His reign, which lasted approximately 28 years (841-814 BC), is marked by a zealous campaign against the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal, yet marred by his failure to fully turn away from the idolatrous practices established by Jeroboam.

Anointed to Execute Judgment

Jehu's rise to power was divinely orchestrated as a means to execute judgment upon the house of Ahab for their idolatry and the bloodshed of Naboth and his sons (2 Kings 9:7-10). Jehu's initial acts as king were characterized by a ruthless purge of Ahab's descendants, including the infamous Jezebel, fulfilling the prophetic word spoken by Elijah (2 Kings 9:30-37).

Zeal Against Baal Worship

Jehu's zeal for the Lord was further demonstrated in his eradication of Baal worship from Israel. He cunningly gathered all the prophets and worshipers of Baal under the pretense of a grand sacrifice, only to slaughter them and destroy the temple of Baal (2 Kings 10:18-28). This decisive action earned him commendation from the Lord, who promised that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation (2 Kings 10:30).

Failure to Depart from the Sins of Jeroboam

Despite his initial fervor, Jehu's reign was ultimately tarnished by his failure to depart from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin by establishing golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30). Jehu maintained these centers of idolatry, which were a snare to Israel and a direct violation of the covenantal command to worship Yahweh alone (2 Kings 10:29).

Divine Judgment and Legacy

Jehu's incomplete obedience resulted in divine judgment upon Israel. The Lord began to reduce the size of Israel, allowing Hazael of Aram to defeat them in various territories (2 Kings 10:32-33). Jehu's legacy is thus a complex one: a ruler who executed God's judgment against Ahab's house and Baal worship but failed to lead Israel into true covenantal faithfulness.

Jehu's reign serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of wholehearted devotion to God. His partial obedience and tolerance of idolatry underscore the biblical principle that true worship requires complete allegiance to the Lord, without compromise or syncretism.2 Kings 10:29
However, from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.
Nave's Topical Index

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... of Jeroboam II., the great-grandson of Jehu (2 Kings ... corrupt and rapacious character
of the Jewish rulers at that ... talked as if he favored the proud and wicked. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

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