Lesson 16 II Kings 9-14 Jehu, King of Israel, and his house

Introducon Last week we studied the transition between Elijah and Elisha and the transitions of several kings of Israel and Judah. It is important to remember that the land of Israel has become a divided state following the reign of Solomon, Israel represents the ten northern tribes and Judah comprises the tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the south. The Levites are dispersed among both regions as they received no tribal land under Joshua in the conquering of Canaan. Each area, Israel and Judah operated as independent monarchies.

We haven’t spoken much of the time frame of the kings of Israel and the separation of Israel and Judah. This section of II Kings begins about 840 years before the birth of Christ and covers about 90 years.

Chapter 9 The anointing of Jehu, king over Israel Vs. 1-3 Joram, son of Ahab, is king of Israel and has been wounded in battle against King Hazael of Aram. Elisha called for and sent one of his young prophets who served God to take a flask of oil, search out Jehu at Ramoth-Gilead. When Jehu is located, the prophet was to ask him to meet in a private place, anoint his head with oil to declare him the next king of Israel, then leave (flee) immediately. Jehu is an interesting character as verse 2 describes him as the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and yet he is serving as the commander of the armies of Joram, king of Israel.

Vs. 4-10 The young prophet located Jehu at Ramoth-Gilead, and outpost of the military about 40 miles east of Jezreel, sitting in a house with his captains. The prophet asked for a private meeting with Jehu so they entered a back room where the prophet anointed his head with the oil and spoke these words, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, I have anointed you king of the people of the LORD, even all Israel. You shall strike the house of Ahab, your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants, the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male person, both bond and free in Israel. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her”.

When Jehu emerged from this meeting, the prophet had fled, and his captains asked the meaning of the meeting. When told of the anointing, his captains all pledged allegiance to the new king and proclaimed him king. It is interesting that back in I Kings 19:16 God sends Elijah to Damascus to anoint Jehu to be the king over Israel, but his service will come at a later time. We are reminded of the curse of Ahab and Jezebel located in I Kings 21:20-26. At

1 that time Ahab repented of his evil and the curse was put on hold till a later day. This is to be that day.

Vs. 14-20 Jehu swore his men to secrecy and prepared t go to Jezreel where King Joram was recovering from battle wounds. At this same time King Ahaziah (Judah) was traveling to Jezreel to visit Joram.

Vs. 21-26 After sending messengers to the approaching Jehu, King Joram himself rode out in his chariot to inquire of the meaning of this visit. When he realized Jehu was there for treachery, he turned his chariot around and fled, but Jehu shot him through the heart with an arrow and Joram died in the plot of land that had one time belonged to Naboth, the man killed by Jezebel so Ahab could have this vineyard for a garden (I Kings 21).

Vs. 27-28 Jehu also struck Ahaziah, King of Judah, but the king managed to flee to Megiddo before he died. His servants carried his remains to Jerusalem where he was buried.

Vs. 29-37 Jehu returned to Jezreel where Jezebel chided him from an upper window for his treachery against the king. Jehu ordered her attendants to cast her out of the upper window where she burst open and her blood was splattered on the wall and on the horses. Jehu had the horses trample her underfoot. He ordered his men to bury her since she was a king’s daughter, but when the men went to retrieve her body, it was not there, only her skull, feet and the palms of her hands could be located, for the dogs had eaten all the rest of her body, just as had been prophesied (I Kings 21:23).

Chapter 10 Jehu begins to restore Israel Vs. 1-11 Ahab had 70 sons, scattered around Samaria with trusted caretakers. The curse on Ahab was that his entire house would be destroyed, all sons and all servants, both bond and free. His name would be blotted out. Jehu began by sending correspondence to all the caretakers of the 70 sons demanding that the sons be forced to fight for the throne of Ahab. The caretakers rejected this idea very respectfully so Jehu simply asked the caretakers to bring the head of each of the 70 sons to him at Jezreel the next day. The guardians of the sons complied with the request and brought the head of each son in baskets. Jehu had the heads placed in two heaps at the gates of the city until morning. The next morning Jehu killed all of those of the house of Ahab in fulfillment of the curses that were spoken by Elijah.

Vs. 12-14 Jehu arose and went to Samaria, and along the way he met a traveling party, relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah who were on their way to visit the sons of Ahab and the queen mother, Jezebel. Ahaziah, though the king of Judah, was a relative of Ahab’s, and therefore these people fell under the curse spoken by Elijah, and therefore Jehu killed all forty two of them ( II Kings 8:24-27). Jehu had killed Ahaziah earlier.

2 Vs. 15-17 Here we are introduced to a new companion to King Jehu, Jehonadab, son of Rechab. The term “son of Rechab” does not seem to apply to the name of Jehonadab’s father but rather the people of whom he is descended. The Rechabites were an interesting, non-Jewish nomadic people who traveled throughout both north and southern Israel. The Rechabites were descendents of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, also known as the Kenites. History records that they were God-fearers, opposed to pagan deity worship, did not drink wine and maintained a unique relationship with God. History records a tie between the Rachabites and the Jewish Sanhedrin. They were thought to be the scribes of the Sanhedrin.

Jehu meets Jehonadab and asked, “Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart”. With a positive response Jehu welcomed Jehonadab into the chariot, returned to Samaria and killed all the remaining descendents of Ahab.

Vs. 18-27 Jehu called all the people together and announced that King Ahab had worshipped Baal, and he too planned a great sacrifice for Baal. Therefore, all, every single one of the priests of Baal were to appear before Jehu for this great sacrifice. Failure to show up for this event meant certain death. Not only did the priests of Baal show up, every Israelite man who worshipped the Baal showed up for this great sacrifice as well so that the entire House of Baal was filled from front to back, side to side. Jehu instructed the Baal worshippers to look around them and make sure there was no worshipper of Adonai amongst them, and if there was, they were to be pointed out and removed. And the worship of Baal was about to commence.

Jehu appointed and placed 80 of his men outside the Baal temple with instructions that every man who came to worship Baal was to be killed. As soon as the animal offerings to Baal were completed, Jehu sent guards in to slay all the Baal worshippers, remove the pillars of the temple to burn them. A public latrine was made in the location of the Baal Temple.

Vs. 28-33 Jehu eradicated the worship of Baal from all of Israel, yet he stopped short of destroying the temples and golden calves at Dan and Bethel that were erected by Jeroboam. However, God blessed Jehu for eradicating Baal worship, for fulfilling the curse against Ahab and his family, and the blessing is that Jehu’s sons would sit on the throne even to the fourth generation. Though Jehu destroyed the Baal worship, he continued leading Israel in the sins of Jeroboam and did not follow the statutes of God.

Because Jehu did not follow in the ways of the LORD, God began to cut off portions of Israel by the hand of Hazael, King of Aram, Hazael captured and controlled all of Israel’s land east of the Jordan River, the tribes of Gad, Rueben and Manasseh.

3 Vs. 34-36 Jehu reigned over Israel for 28 years and died and his son Jehoahaz followed him on the throne.

Note: This is an amazing story when you step back and look at it from a different angle or level. You have Jehu, an Israelite partnering with Jehonadab, a non-Israelite, to defeat the power and darkness of Baal on the land. The messianic picture of Israel and the gentile believers, followers of the Messiah, were destined to join hands in defeating the powers and grip of Satan across all the lands. The twelve springs at Elim, watering the 70 palm trees (Exodus 15:27) is the picture of the children of God blessing the entire world. The coming Messiah was not intended to separate the Children of Israel from the gentile believers but to unite all the children of God into one system. Here is a picture of what God had planned, but the evil of man kept this from becoming reality on a large scale, though it certainly happened on the smaller scale. The Book of Acts is a great picture of what it should have looked like. In the prophecies connected with the sons of Noah, (Genesis 9:27) it states, “May God enlarge Japheth, and let him sit in the tents of Shem”. The descendents of Japheth scattered to the north and west, Northern Asia and Europe, while the sons of Shem became the tribes of Israel. To “dwell in the tents” is a colloquialism representing studying Torah. Acts is the story of the sons of Japheth studying Torah in the tents of Shem as Peter, Paul, and others took the gospel to gentiles from and in northern Asia and Europe. This is a beautiful picture of that prophecy on action.

Chapter 11 Meanwhile, back in Judah Vs. 1-12 In chapter 10:12-14 we read of Jehu killing the relatives of King Ahaziah, king of Judah. II Chronicles 22:10-12 informs us that King Ahaziah too was tracked down and killed, leaving Israel without a king. Chapter 11 picks up the aftermath of the deaths of King Ahaziah and his relatives. Ahaziah’s mother, Athalia, in her great sorrow set about destroying her grandchildren, all the king’s descendents. Who was Athalia? She was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel of Israel and most likely married to the king of Judah to form some political alliance. Her heart was that of her mother’s, evil, and she infused great sin into the lives of the citizens of Jerusalem.

However, one young son of Ahaziah, Joash, was hidden along with his nurse in the Temple, and spared the carnage of his siblings. For six years Athaliah reigned over Judah in place of her son, Ahaziah, and for those six years young Joash was hidden away under the care of the High Priest, Jehoiada. In the seventh year of the reign of Queen Athaliah Jehoiada appointed the Carites to act as guards and body guards for the young Joash. The Carites are related to the Cherethites and Pelethites cited in II Samuel 20:23. These were non-Jewish militia under the control of the High Priest, protectors of the Temple and now of young Joash. If any one came near to the child the protectors were to kill them. The guards were

4 armed with shields and spears that had belonged to King David, and they were to be used for protecting the child.

On the day of his coronation, young Joash was brought out in public, amid his protectors, the Carites, and Joash was given the crown and the testimony, and anointed with oil, and the people shouted, “Long live the King”!

When Athalia heard the commotion of the coronation she shrieked, “Treason! Treason!” Jehoiada commanded that she be brought forth, but not killed in the Temple grounds. She was executed near the horse entrance to the king’s house.

Vs. 17-21 Joash was just seven years old when he became King of Judah. The High Priest, Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people. Judah would be loyal and obedient to God alone under the reign of King Joash. All the people went to the high places of Baal and tore them down, tore down the altars and the images, killing Mattan, the Priest of Baal. Under the leadership of the High Priest, serving the king, the military was established to protect the young king and the king was placed on the throne of the kings. And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the land was quiet – it was at peace.

Note: This is the first time we see the High Priest engaging in the business of the king. To thwart the intent of the king or queen in such a bold way, to harbor the only remaining son of the previous king, the only descendent of King David, was extraordinary. Had Joash perished with his brothers, there would have been no descendent of David to assume the throne, and the prophecy of God would have been dashed, including, the promise of the Messiah who would sit on David’s throne for all eternity. We generally focus on young Joash in this story, the child king, but we must see the significance of the fulfillment in the prophecy of the linage of David that was preserved by the actions of one man, the High Priest. Spiritual warfare is dangerous and messy. God certainly has power over Satan, but Satan is no soft adversary. In our own lives we must realize the powers of Satan and that we, as mere mortals are no match against his strength. This is why Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 6:11 is so important, “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil”.

Chapter 12 The reign of King Joash (Jehoash) Vs. 1-3 In the seventh year of King Jehu of Israel, Jehoash was crowned king in Judah. Jehoash reigned in Judah for 40 years and followed God. He was counseled well by Jehoida, the High Priest, and brought people to worship God, yet he allowed the high places to remain and people continued to sacrifice and burn incense at these places.

5 Vs. 4-16 The Temple had fallen into bad disrepair and needed to be worked on. The Temple was approximately 140- 150 years old at this time. This was the 23rd year of the reign of Jehoash, and the King demanded to know why this disrepair was not being taken care of. There was money in the coffers of the Temple but no work was being done. King Jehoash called in Jehoiada and other priests to inquire regarding the poor state of condition of the Temple and to instruct them to begin repair immediately. Over time the repairs were made. Could the disrepair of the Temple be a reflection of the pagan deity worship going on in Jerusalem at this time as well?

Vs. 17-18 King Hazael of Aram began a campaign into the lower area of Israel, conquering the Philistine city of Gath on the coastal plains of Judah and with intent to move toward Jerusalem. Jehoash, King of Judah, bought peace with Hazael by giving him the sacred things of the temple, both money and gold and silver implements. Hazael left Jerusalem alone and returned to Aram.

Vs. 19-21 King Jehoash died in the fortieth year of his reign, murdered by his servants. Amaziah, his son, became king in his place.

Chapter 13 Kings of Israel Vs. 1-9 Jehu ruled over Israel for thirty years and he died. His son, Jehoahaz became king in his place and he did evil and did not serve God. Jehoahaz followed in the steps of King Jeroboam, first king of Israel, and led the people in pagan deity worship. Because of Jehoahaz’ persistence in angering God, God allowed Hazael, King of Aram, to continually defeat the armies of Israel.

Jehoahaz finally realized the misery he was bringing on Israel by his sinful leadership and he called on the Name of YHVH and cried for help. God listened to Jehoahaz’ cry and brought him a deliverer so they escaped from under the hand of Hazael, and lived in relative peace for a while.

But, in their hearts, Israel never turned away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, continued to worship the Asherah and the Baal, so God allowed Hazael to again oppress Israel, killing so many of her soldiers that all Jehoahaz had in his military were 10,000 foot soldiers, fifty horse soldiers and ten chariots. Jehoahaz died after 14 years and his son, Joash (Jehoash) became king.

Vs. 10-13 Jehoash reigned over Israel for 16 years and he did not turn away from all the sins of the house of Jeroboam and thus led the people into continual idolatry. He fought many wars against King Amaziah of Judah during his reign. When Joash died his son Jeroboam became king in his place.

6 Vs. 14-21 Elisha became ill and was about to die. This was during the reign of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, and Joash came to visit him and weep over him. Elisha prophesied that Joash would be victorious over Hazael and in three campaigns would take back the land conquered by Hazael. Elisha died and they buried him. In the spring of (presumably) the next year a marauding band of Moabites were attacking while a man was being buried. In haste the men doing the burying cast the corpse into the grave of Elisha and when the corpse came in contact with the bones of Elisha, the corpse come back to life.

Vs. 22-23 God was still in love with Israel. For the sake of the covenant He had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them. Up to this point God had refused to allow Israel to be destroyed or to be cast out of the land, but that day was drawing nigh.

Note: We have read often in these narratives of Hazael, and before him Ben-hadad, kings of Aram. Aram is in the area of Damascus, modern day Syria, and this region played a unique role in the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This was the area Abraham’s family settled n when he, Sarai and Lot made their way from Haran to Canaan. He sent his trusted servant Eliazar back to this land to obtain a wife of Isaac form his kinsman, Bethuel. God provided the beautiful Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel and sister of Laban to be the wife of Isaac. Later, when it was time for Jacob to obtain a wife, he was sent himself to this same family to the house of Laban, his uncle, to obtain a wife. He subsequently married sisters, Leah and Rachel, daughters of Laban. Though this was many years earlier, there is still the remembrances of the difference between Abraham whom God called to give the Promised Land, Canaan, and his siblings and family members who did not trust or follow YHVH, who continued in the polytheistic ways of Abraham’s father, Terah, and stayed in this land of Aram. Jealousy has a way of staying with a people for centuries, and this may very well have been a portion of the problems between Aram and Israel.

Vs. 24-25 When Hazael, king of Aram died his son Ben-hadad followed him on the throne. The war continued between Israel and Aram for years to come.

Chapter 14 Amaziah, Jeroboam, Azariah and Zechariah – kings of Israel and Judah Vs. 1-6 Amaziah, son of Joash became king of Judah. He did right in the sight of the LORD, yet he was not like David in his love and obedience toward God. The high places were not taken away and the people continued to burn incense and offer sacrifices at the high places. When he became firmly on the throne, Amaziah killed all the servants who partook in the murder of his father, King Joash, but he spared the sons of the servants because of the Torah command that said a father is not to be executed for his son and the son is not to be executed for the sin of his father (Deuteronomy 24:16).

7 Vs. 7 Amaziah conquered Edom and killed 10,000 Edomites, conquering Sela and renaming it Joktheel.

Vs. 8-14 Being full of pride and arrogance after conquering Edom, a vassal state of Israel, Amaziah began to entice Israel into war. King Jehoahaz of Israel responded by denying the request to do battle with Judah. Amaziah persisted and war broke out in Beth-shemesh (the place where the Philistines stole the Ark of the Covenant so many years before). Jehoahaz and Israel conquered Judah, capturing the king of Judah, Amaziah. Jehoahaz came to Jerusalem, tore down the wall surrounding Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, about 400 cubits. He took all the gold and silver and utensils from the Temple and in the treasuries of the king’s house.

Vs. 15-16 When Jehoahaz died his son Jeroboam became king of Israel.

Vs. 17 -22 Amaziah was later released and returned to Judah. Life was difficult for the king and he was chased from Jerusalem to Lachish where he was chased down and killed. His pursuers brought his body back to Jerusalem on horseback to be buried with his fathers in Jerusalem. His son Azariah, just 16 years old, was named king on his place.

Vs. 23-27 Jeroboam, son of Joash became king of Israel and he reigned for forty one years. He did evil in the sought of the LORD, following in the ways of his namesake, Jeroboam, the first king of Israel. He was a powerful king and restored the borders of Israel to their original setting. While Jeroboam was not a follower of YHVH, God allowed Jeroboam to lead Israel with strength and power and restore Israel against her enemies. Jeroboam was able to restore the boundaries of Israel across the Jordan River, gaining control of the tribal lands of Gad, Manasseh and Rueben.

Vs. 28-29 After 41 years Jeroboam died and his son Zechariah ruled in his place.

8