There were seventy descendants of King Ahab living in the city of Samaria. Jehu wrote a letter and sent copies to the rulers of the city, to the leading citizens, and to the guardians of Ahab’s descendants. The letter read: “You are in charge of the king’s descendants, and you have at your disposal chariots, horses, weapons, and fortified cities. So then, as soon as you receive this letter, you are to choose the best qualified of the king’s descendants, make him king, and fight to defend him.”
This left no doubt as to Jehu’s intentions. 😊 May I likewise act with such courage, Lord (Joshua 1:5-9).
“This proves that everything that the Lord said about the descendants of Ahab will come true. The Lord has done what he promised through his prophet Elijah.”
May you accomplish all of your good will, Lord, and may I patiently await it (Habakkuk 2:1-3).
“Come with me and see for yourself how devoted I am to the Lord.” And they rode on together to Samaria. When they arrived there, Jehu killed all of Ahab’s relatives, not sparing even one. … he and Jonadab went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings to Baal. He had stationed eighty men outside the temple and had instructed them: “You are to kill all these people; anyone who lets one of them escape will pay for it with his life!”
As soon as Jehu had presented the offerings, he said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them all; don’t let anyone escape!” They went in with drawn swords, killed them all, and dragged the bodies outside. Then they went on into the inner sanctuary of the temple, brought out the sacred pillar that was there, and burned it. So they destroyed the sacred pillar and the temple, and turned the temple into a latrine—which it still is today.
Once again Jehu expressing his displeasure… I wonder how much he was motivated by this love of God or his hatred of everything Ahab and Jezebel.
That was how Jehu wiped out the worship of Baal in Israel. But he imitated the sin of King Jeroboam, who led Israel into the sin of worshiping the gold bull-calves he set up in Bethel and in Dan.
Jehu was certainly the best of the Israel kings. Oh, though, how easily we are ensnared in sin (Judges 8:27). May I get rid of everything that hinders me moving forward, Lord (Hebrews 12:1).
Everything else that Jehu did, including his brave deeds, is recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.
I do wonder what will be recorded of me… Please use my life, Lord!