Jehu kills Ahab's family

II Kings Chapter 10

Ahab had seventy sons living in Samaria and Jehu wrote to the officials of the city and leaders of the people and guardians of Ahab's sons telling them that they should at once select the most qualified of Ahab's sons to be king and be prepared to fight for Ahab's dynasty. But they were paralyzed with fear and sent back a message to Jehu that they would be his servants and do what he thought best. Jehu responded with a second message that if they were on his side, then they needed to obey and bring him the heads of the king's sons at Jezreel at once. Soon a messenger brought word that the heads were indeed presented and Jehu had them piled at the city gate .

In the morning Jehu spoke to the crowd and told them he did conspire against his master, but who killed all these sons of Ahab? He told the crowd that the Lord declared through his servant Elijah that this would happen. Then Jehu killed all of Ahab's relatives living in Jezreel and all important officials, friends and priests until Ahab was left without one single survivor.

On his way to Samaria, Jehu met some relatives of King Ahaziah who were going to visit the sons of Ahab and the queen mother. At once, Jehu captured and killed all forty-two of them. Then Jehu met Jehonadab, son of Recab. He asked if Recab was loyal to him and Recab said yes. Jehonadab rode with Jehu in his chariot and Jehu killed everyone who was left of Ahab's family in Samaria, just as the Lord promised through Elijah.

Jehu called a meeting of all the people and told them he was going to offer a great sacrifice to Baal. Any of Baal's worshipers who failed to come would be put to death. He requested a solemn assembly to worship Baal and the people complied. As they filled the temple, Jehu instructed the keep of the wardrobe to be sure each worshiper of Baal wore one of the robes. Then Jehu went into the temple with Jehonadab, and made sure only those who worshiped Baal were inside. Then he commanded his guards and officers to kill everyone and not let anyone escape. After killing them, Jehu's men dragged down the pillars of Baal's temple and wrecked it. He destroyed every trace of Baal worship. However, he did not destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, the great sin that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.

The Lord said to Jehu that he had done well and because of this he would cause Jehu' descendants to be kings of Israel to the fourth generation. But Jehu did not obey the law of the Lord in his heart and he refused to turn from idolatry. About that time, the Lord reduced the size of Israel's territory. King Hazael conquered several sections of the country. When Jehu died, he was buried in Samaria and his son Jehoahaz became the next king.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: In his zeal, Jehu went beyond the Lord's command with his bloodbath. Later the prophet Hosea announced punishment upon Jehu's dynasty for this senseless slaughter.

Jehonadab was a man, who like Jehu, was zealous in following God. He, however, demonstrated his zeal by separating himself and family from the materialistic, idol-worshiping culture. He founded a group called the Recabites( after his father Recab) who strove to keep their lives pure by living apart from society's pressures and temptations. Because of their dedication, God promised that they would always have descendants who would worship him.

Why didn't Jehu destroy the golden calves? His motives may have been political instead of spiritual. He may have thought that by destroying them, the people would still travel to the temple in Jerusalem or maybe he thought the golden calves had a longer history in the kingdom and some people thought the calves were visible representations of God himself. Regardless, Jehu did not obey the Lord with his whole heart and did not become God's servant.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Even today in our world, people use God or the Bible to condone oppression. When people attack Christianity because of the atrocities done by "Christians", we should help them see that these men and women were using faith for their own political ends and not following Christ. It is interesting to see that priests and officials were included in mixing faith with their own ambitions. Do you know church officials who do this today? Pray that God will seek them out and change their ways.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Update on Stella: I’m sorry to report that this tiny baby has finally passed and is in heaven with our Lord. She fought a long fight and endured much in her few months. Pray for her family.
Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for Brian and Ashley, as they lost the expected baby boy. It was so sad because she was 4 months and we had seen the sonogram of him moving and sucking his thumb.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.