Today's Reading:

2 Kings 9
2 Kings 10
2 Kings 11
2 Chronicles 22:10-12
2 Chronicles 23

Jehonadab was the leader of the Rechabites, a nomadic group in Israel. They were descendants of the Kenites related to Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro. The community had their own strict rules (see Jeremiah 35) of no wine, no planting crops or vineyards, and no permanent houses; they must live in tents forever. This was to protect themselves from the Canaanite materialism and worship of Baal, the god of agriculture and fertility. They were hardcore and devoted to the Lord alone.

Jehu and Jehonadab team up to rid Israel of Baal worship. They lured all the priests and worshippers of Baal and then slaughtered them. They turned the temple of Baal into a latrine, a public restroom! (Talking about an insult, the house of idols was pooped on). This even showed how much God detested idolatry and willingness to use an unlikely pair to cleanse His own people. Even in judgment, we see God honors those who stay faithful and set apart for Him, just like the Rechabites. Jehu and Jehonadab (leader of the Rechabites) took extreme action to remove Baal worship completely. Have you ever given up normal comforts and conveniences to remain pure in devotion to the Lord? What is one thing God may be calling you to “leave behind: or say no to, in order to stay spiritually pure?

This section of the bible is full of battles and was quite bloody; there were prophecies, politics, chariot chases, and deaths.

Jehu King of Israel #10 (north)- He was the son of Jehoshaphat (but not the King Jehoshaphat of Judah). God used Jehu as a judgment against the house of Ahab and Jezebel for their idolatry, Baal worship, persecution of prophets, and corruption of people.

Elisha sent a seminary student (company of prophets) on a quick and urgent mission. Jehu was the commander of the Israel army. The kings were not voted on by the people but instead chosen by the prophets through God. God declared He would avenge the prophets and ruin King Ahab. It was prophesied that Jezebel would be devoured by dogs. Jehu tried to play coy, but when pressed, told the others he was anointed king of Israel. They immediately proclaimed him the king.

Joram (north) had recovered from his wounds in Jezreel. Ahaziah (south) was visiting him. Jehu heard Ahaziah was there and raced to Jezreel. Joram and Ahaziah came out to meet Jehu and asked if he came in peace. Jehu replied with divine judgment, No! “There can be no peace in this kingdom… with your mom’s witchcraft and idolatry.” Jehu then killed Joram with an arrow to the heart, just as the prophet foretold by God. Ahaziah fled and was wounded; he died in Megiddo.

Then Jehu continued his killing spree and headed to Jezreel, where Jezebel was. She dressed up for her death, watching out the window in anticipation of his arrival. She called Jehu “Zimri” in a sarcastic taunt. Zimri was the former military commander who murdered King Elah in order to take the throne, which only lasted 7 days. Jehu ordered her servants to throw her down out the window, to her death. She was plastered on the ground, and dogs ate her body, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy. (Jezebel’s name later became a symbolic title for seductive wickedness on how she drew people away from God. She promoted idolatry, false teaching, and spiritual corruption (Revelation 2:20). Jehu’s furious driving style became legendary; the early modern term, “Do you drive like Jehu?” was being used centuries later.

Jehu wrote letters to the rulers and guardians of Ahab’s 70 sons who were living in Samaria. They quickly submitted in fear, knowing Jehu had already killed King Joram and King Ahaziah. Jehu told them to choose the best of Ahab’s sons, make him king, and prepare to fight. To test their loyalty, he commanded them to, “Take the heads of your master’s sons and bring them to me at Jezreel by tomorrow.” The phrase was eerie, but the leaders obeyed and beheaded all 70 of Ahab’s sons, placed their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu. Jehu also killed 42 of Ahaziah’s relatives as well. He declared himself innocent of the slaughter and told the people he only physically killed Joram, Ahab’s son. He shifted the blame to the local leaders in Samaria who carried out the deaths. Jehu said that God’s prophecies against the house of Ahab were being fulfilled, so why should he be found guilty? He validated the deaths like it was divine justice instead of his own scheme.

Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. She had married Jehoram, king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, forming a political alliance between the two kingdoms (2 Kings 8:18, 26).

Athaliah was the grandmother of baby Joash. It was her own daughter, Jehosheba (Joash’s aunt), who was brave enough to steal baby Joash and hide him in the Temple to protect him from Athaliah’s murderous attempt to wipe out the entire royal line of David. Athaliah thought the lineage was wiped out, and for a baby to survive (reminiscent of Moses) was a divine interaction.

Jehoiada the High Priest- In the Southern Kingdom, during Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada was the high priest of Jerusalem. He put commanders under oath to keep Joash safe. At the age of 7, Joash, the son of Ahaziah, was anointed king over Judah. His grandmother, Athaliah, who had tried to murder him as a baby to take the throne, was then killed. Joash led a covenant renewal and later destroyed the Baal temples.

Back to Jehu, he and Jehonadab teamed up to rid the area of Baal worship and slaughter all of their priests and pagan worshippers. But he did not remove the golden calves in Bethel and Dan (idolatry that Jeroboam I started). Note, the archaeological Assyrian artifact find of the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, shows Jehu bowing and paying tribute to their king. God gave Jehu partial credit as He was making Israel (north) smaller due to idolatry. He first removed the Transjordan area. Jehu died and Jehoahaz, his son took over.

Today's Discussion question:

Jehu and Jehonadab took extreme action to remove Baal worship completely. Have you ever given up normal comforts and conveniences to remain pure in devotion to the Lord? What is one thing God may be calling you to “leave behind: or say no to, in order to stay spiritually pure?

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