SUMMARY
The story of the reign of JehuAnointed king by Elisha, Jehu overthrew the dynasty of Ahab and Jezebel. (843-816) is essentially the account of the end of the Omride Dynasty announced by the prophet ElijahA miracle working Israelite prophet who opposed worship of Baal. (1 Kings 19:17; 21:21-24).
ANALYSIS
We hear very little about Jehu’s almost 40-year reign in Israel. The narrative’s sole purpose is to describe graphically the complete and utter extermination of the house of AhabKing of Israel who opposed Elijah.. Jehu was a commander in the army when ElishaMiracle working prophet who succeeded Elijah. sent one of prophetic guild to anointTo anoint is to pour oil, water, or other substances on a person's head in a ritual fashion. In the Old Testament the prophet Samuel anointed David; and in Luke's gospel Jesus declared that he was anointed by the Spirit to bring good news to... him as king in Ramoth-gilead in fulfillment of Elijah’s charge in 1 Kings 19:16 (2 Kings 9:1-10). Jehu then began the palace intrigue that eventually led to his usurpation of Joram’s throne and the methodical extermination of the house of Ahab and the elimination of Baal worship, again in fulfillment of Elijah’s charge (vv. 8-10; see also 1 Kings 21:21-24). Those purged include J(eh)oram, king of Israel (9:14-26); Ahaziah, king of JudahJudah was the name of Jacob's fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. (9:27-28); JezebelQueen who promoted worship of Baal and who opposed Elijah. (9:30-37); Ahab’s 70 sons (10:1-11); members of the family of Ahaziah, king of Judah (10:12-14); any remaining relatives of Ahab in Samaria (10:17); and the remaining worshipers of Baal were lured to a solemn assembly in honor of Baal where they were slaughtered, their religious objects destroyed, and the templeThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged... turned into a latrine (10:18-27).
As a reward, God blessed Jehu with a lasting dynasty of four generations, about a century (10:30). Like all the kings of Israel, however, the editors condemn him for continuing in the sins of Jeroboam and bracket God’s approval with their evaluation (vv. 29-31).
