(2 Kings) Jehu: Zealous, but Not Enough — David Guzik

Jehu’s Anointing and God’s Judgment on Ahab’s House

Tonight we're going to take a look at second Kings chapters 9 and 10 and you're going to see the life the career of One of the more impressive men of the Old Testament among the kings of Israel, especially this man King Jehu.

It's really a remarkable story that I think a lot of people don't Know or don't appreciate. You'll know this man much better at the end of our study here tonight. Before we jump into verse 1 of 2nd Kings chapter 9. I have to remind you of the setting where we left from chapter 8.

King Joram is the king over Israel. This is the descendant of Ahab right? Remember Ahab and Jezebel so we're still in the dynasty of Omri who was Ahab's father and. This descendant of Omri and Ahab named Joram is the king over Israel.

God has promised judgment upon this family line. And most recently Joram was injured in a battle against the Syrians. He was taken away in his injured state to the city of Jezreel. So that's where we're at coming into chapter 9 here of 2nd Kings the injured king of Israel.

Joram is in the city of Jezreel now. Verse 1. And he lies to the Prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him get yourself ready. Take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth Gilead.

Now when you arrive at that place look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat The son of Nimishi and go in and make him rise up from among his associates and take him to an inner room. Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say thus says the Lord I have anointed you king over Israel then open the door and flee.

Do not delay. Isn't this interesting? Elisha won't do this himself. He sends one of the sons of the prophets. Maybe he thought it was a dangerous trip and he didn't want to do it himself. No, I don't think that's the reason if you take a look at the ministry of Elisha.

You find something really remarkable in it. This was a man who was very interested in the principle of delegation. Whenever he could he had someone else do the work not because he wasn't interested in doing it.

But because he wanted them to have the blessing as well. And so we're not surprised to see him delegating again at this point. Telling this son of the prophets to do this job of going and anointing Jehu the next king over Israel now at this time we remind ourselves Joram the son of Ahab was the king of Israel.

This was the dynasty of Omri. But the dynasty was about to come to an end. The next king would be Jehu who was not a descendant of Omri or Ahab and he would begin a new Albeit, it would be a very short dynasty.

It would be a new dynasty. And I just want to remind you of something here though Israel had abandoned God God had not abandoned Israel. In other words Israel acted like they didn't want God to Interfere in the affairs of their kingdom whatsoever, but I want you to see God's not taking no for an answer.

God's saying I am going to put my my hand in your business. So to speak I'm gonna select the next king over Israel, even though you don't really want me to. God would still appoint and allow Kings as he chose either To bless an obedient kingdom of Israel or to curse a disobedient nation all According to the covenant that he made with them way back in the days of Moses on Mount Sinai.

Jehu’s Commission to Destroy Ahab’s Dynasty

So anyway, the prophets going to do exactly what Elisha told him to do. Look now starting at verse 4 so the young man the servant of the prophets went to Ramoth Gilead and When he arrived there were the captains of the army sitting and he said I have a message for you commander.

Jehu said for which one of us and he said for you commander. Then he arose and went into his house and he poured the oil on his head and said to him Thus says the Lord God of Israel. I have anointed you King over the people of the Lord over Israel.

You shall strike down 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 all the males in Israel both bond and free so I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and like the house of Basha the son of Ahia.

The dog shall eat Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel and there shall be none to bury her and he opened the door and fled. Just like Elisha told him to do. What. This is a very interesting prophecy, but you have to imagine the setting here.

He comes to this army encampment of Israel and there's all these captains of the army of Israel sitting around now. Remind yourself Jehu at this time was a commander in the army of Israel before even King Joram reigned.

Jehu was a commander in the army of Israel even under King Ahab the previous king of Israel and Jehu was previously anointed as a future king of Israel who would overthrow the dynasty of Omri and Ahab.

We saw that way back in first Kings chapter 19. If that was a long time before this and now he is anointed again. To show that the fulfillment of the previous prophecy was now at hand in other words many years before this God spoke to Jehu in a prophecy that he would bring judgment upon the house of Ahab and That he would be the next king of Israel, but but Jehu I would say wisely didn't do anything about it.

Now at this time the prophecy comes to him again. And he says, you know this son of the prophet the anonymous prophet whom Elisha sent comes it says to Jehu come commander I have a message for you. They go inside the house.

What's he doing whips out this little bottle of oil and he pours it all over Jehu's head. Jehu says what is this going on? And then he explains. He says listen, this is what God has called you to do first.

It says I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord over Israel. I noticed this he was anointed, but he was not to take the throne. Immediately. I think it's very interesting in each one of the instances of God Anointing a king over his people here Jehu over the northern kingdom of Israel and then Saul and then David.

Of course each one of them was anointed for the job Before they actually took it. In other words, you would almost expect that they would be anointed as part of almost their coronation ceremony. Right put the crown upon their head maybe pour the oil and then put the crown or something symbolic like that.

That's not how God did it. He anointed them for the job Before they ever took it and sometimes this is a painful thing for a person in ministry. They're anointed for something and they genuinely are anointed for it but God has not given them the Position from which they will exercise that anointing yet because he has a work that he wants to develop in their life.

And this is a cause of great frustration for people. They say I'm anointed to do this. Why can't I do it? Well, I'll tell you why you can't do it because it's not time yet God hasn't opened the doors.

But you just need to be confident and have the peace that the same God who anointed you will also in his timing give you The right way the right area the right arena in which for you to carry out that anointing that he's given you.

But just remind yourself. It was true with Saul. It was true with David. It was true with Jehu. They were boy anointed before they actually took the position that they received. Now the other thing to remember is Jehu is the only king of the northern kingdom that is of the kingdom of Israel to have been anointed.

It seems that God was trying to say something to Jehu here. He's trying to say listen I will bless you just like I bless David. I'm anointing you just like I anointed David if you will be faithful to me if you will walk in my ways.

You will see that I will establish a great Dynasty from you and from your people. But then it's very interesting what the Prophet said after that he went on to say You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and so on and so forth.

Elisha in the previous verses did not tell him specifically to say that now perhaps he did tell them and it's just not Recorded perhaps this came upon the prophets. Spontaneously as he anointed him and began to prophesy that more came than Elisha originally told him.

Nevertheless, this was an important prophecy for Jehu to hear. He wasn't just going to take the place of the present king of Israel. But God was calling him to bring judgment upon the present king of Israel.

Now, that's a heavy job, isn't it? Not just to say you're going to be the next king, but God is calling you to be an instrument of his judgment Against the present king. And so he says the whole house of Ahab shall perish.

I will cut off from Ahab all the males in Israel and then dogs shall eat Jezebel. Clearly God intended to use Jehu as a tool of judgment against the royal house of Ahab. Now might I say that I think that this is unique in Biblical history not this specific instance, but the general idea of God.

Commissioning individuals in this way to be instruments of his judgment. I Have run across misguided individuals during the years of my ministry who felt that God had called them to be the instrument of judgment.

Against an individual or against a ministry and my advice to them has always been the same. Let God do the judging you step aside. We're not under the Old Testament dispensation anymore, we don't operate under the theocracy of ancient Israel.

This is a different dispensation a different covenant. If there is any judgment to be done if there is any cursing to be done. Let God do it. You don't want to put yourself in the position of being against or causing to stumble one of God's little ones.

And so this was a unique thing that God called Jehu to do now. Verse 11. Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master and what said to him is all well. Why did this madman come to you now again? You have to picture this in your mind.

What does Jehu look like when he comes out of the house to the tent? There's oil dripping from his head and they're all saying what happened to you. What did that man do to you inside of the house? That madman all you see is you see Jehu and this kind of crazy-looking prophet walk into the house together and then you all of a sudden you see the prophet running out of the house and running all the way down the road until He's gone and then Jehu comes out just a moment later and his head is dripping with oil and they said Why did this madman come to you?

It's a very logical question in light of what you would see and he said to them. You know the man and his babble and they said a lie tell us now. So he said thus and thus he spoke to me saying thus says the Lord.

I Have anointed you king over Israel. You can imagine just how nervous was Jehu was when he said that. He wondered if the men would draw their swords and say that's treason against our king. How dare you say that or they say what you're crazy now.

You're listening to crazy prophets who go around dumping oil over everybody's heads everywhere. They go Jehu. You've gone crazy. You can imagine just how nervous Jehu was to finally say what had happened but when he said it look at what the reaction was then each man hastened to take his Garments and put it under him on top of the steps.

They blew the trumpet saying Jehu is king now. What does that tell you? That tells you that the people were very dissatisfied with Jorah, right the present king of Israel. They were very dissatisfied with him.

They were ready for something new. They were ready because a moment before these men regarded the Prophet as a madman. Now they take his word seriously and proclaim the reluctant Jehu the king of Israel again, this displays the great sense of satisfaction they had with King Jorah and So here they recognize him.

They spread out the garments. They proclaim that he's king and what's going to happen next now with Jehu. We'll look here. Verse 14. So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimish he Conspired against Joram now Joram had been defending Ramoth Gilead.

He and all Israel against Hazael king of Syria. But King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which the Syrians had inflicted on him when he fought with Hazael King of Syria, that's where we left it at the end of chapter 8.

Anyway, now and Jehu said if you are so minded let no one leave or escape from the city to go and tell it In Jezreel. So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel for Joram was laid up there and Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram.

Now a watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel and he saw a company of Jehu as he came and he said I see a company of men and Joram said get a horseman and send to him and meet him and let him say is it peace?

So the horsemen went to meet him and said thus says the king is it peace and Jehu said What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me. So the watchman reported saying the messenger went to them, but is not coming back.

Thus says the king Excuse me. Then he sent out a second horseman who said that he came to them and said thus says the king is it peace and Jehu? Answered what have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.

So the watchman reported saying he went up to them and is not coming back and his driving is like the driving of Jehu the son Of Nimishi for he drives Furiously, all right, you can picture this in your mind, right?

They're off in the distance is this chariot coming towards, you know. The city of Jezreel and the first messenger goes out and says well, who are you and are you coming peacefully? And Jehu looks at him and he says listen, this is not a time for peace.

This is a time for you to come and to join me in my campaign against this corrupt king of Israel. By the way, the mere fact that Joram was there in Jezreel sending out messengers to test these things show how Suspicious Joram was and how weak he knew his position was in any regard when the messengers go out First one and then a second one they agree with Jehu.

We're going to be on your side. And so finally as the chariot gets closer and closer now. There's other riders with him right because the two messengers have come on his side the watchman cries out to King Joram there in the city of Jezreel.

He says listen, I know that's Jehu. He's driving like a wild man. Yeah, I think that there's a lot of people like Jehu out there, right? There's a lot of people who drive furiously like Jehu the driving style of him, but I want you to see this.

This tells you something about the personality of Jehu. Now you'll learn more about this as we go on but if there's anything that characterized the personality of Jehu it's zeal. This man grabbed hold of everything the best he could or at least most of the time he did.

We're going to notice that before we're done here tonight at the end of chapter 10. Nevertheless, this was a man that when he felt he had something to do from God. He did it with all his strength. So if he's going to go to Jezreel.

He's going to drive there furiously. And so what does he do when he gets there? Look at it here verse 21 and Joram said make ready and his chariot was made ready. Then Joram the king of Israel and Ahaziah the king of Judah went out each in his chariot and they went out to meet Jehu.

And met him on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. Now I want you to stop and just consider here for a moment. They seem to not suspect anything. Because remember who Jehu is he works for the king.

He's just thinking. Oh my commander has come in from a distant place. He's going to give me some news in battle. He's going to give me some intelligence about the enemy something like that. So these two kings don't seem to suspect that there's any revolution in the works an overthrow of the king.

In any regard it says now it happened when Joram saw Jehu that he said is it peace? Jehu and Answered what peace as long as the harlot trees of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many. Then Joram turned around and fled and said to Ahaziah treachery.

Ahaziah now Jehu drew his bow with full strength and Shot Joram between his arms and the arrow came out at his heart and he sank down in his chariot. Did you notice where this took place? Way back there it said it met him on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite.

This was the land that Ahab and Jezebel had so wickedly obtained by murdering the innocent owner of the land Naboth on this very land. Which as far as God was concerned it still belonged to Naboth the dynasty of Omri would meet its judgment.

By the way, I want you to notice that it is a very important point here. It says that he went out to meet Jehu and met him on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. I thought that Ahab took that property from him.

Do you remember that in previous chapters? I want you to notice not as far as God is concerned as far as God is concerned. That's still the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. Anyway, when Joram comes out to Jehu he cries out to him.

Is it peace Jehu? The wicked Compromising Joram wanted peace with Jehu. None of the dynasty of Omri wanted peace with God. Nor did Ahab and Jezebel want peace with Naboth but they want peace with Jehu because they know that he brings judgment and.

So he cries out back in response Jehu to Joram. He says what peace as long as the harlot trees of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many that's in verse 22. This shows that Jehu took his previous anointing by Elijah and his more recent anointing very seriously.

At this point Jehu's mind was not filled with thoughts of political gain. He wasn't thinking about how great it would be to be king. No, he did this for the honor of God. He was a conscious Executor of divine judgment against the house of Ahab.

And so what did he do? Isn't that amazing? How it describes that there in those verses how in verse 24 he pulled back the bow at full strength and he shot Joram right between the arms. It's clear that he killed him with a powerful shot and the arrow went right through him and came out his heart seemingly Joram had turned around and was going away from him and he shot him right in the back and the sword came out his heart.

So what happened then with Joram's body. Look at here at verse 25. Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain pick him up and throw him into the tract of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. But remember when you and I were riding together behind Ahab his father that the Lord laid this burden upon him.

Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his son says the Lord and I will repay you in this plot. Says the Lord now therefore take and throw him on the plot of ground according to the word of the Lord again.

It's very clear that at this time Jehu sees his place as something spiritual. He's fulfilling God's command of judgment against the house of Omri. Now on to verse 27. But when Ahaziah king of Judah saw this now we remind ourselves as a high at the king of Judah is there with them at the same time He fled by the road to Beth Hagin.

So Jehu pursued him and said shoot him also in the chariot and they shot him at the ascent of Gur. Which is by a gleam? Then he fled to Megiddo and died there and his servants carried him in the chariot to Jerusalem and Buried him in the tomb with his father's of the city of David in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab Ahaziah had become king over Judah.

Do you understand what just happened here? Right. We understand that the tribes of Israel are Split up into two different kingdoms, right? You have the northern kingdom of Israel. You have the southern kingdom of Judah and in one day Both kings are killed by Jehu.

Joram the king of the northern kingdom Ahaziah the king of the southern king. We say this is pretty harsh. Why did the judgment come against the king of the southern kingdom of Judah as well? Well think about this for a moment.

Didn't God promise judgment Against all the descendants of Ahab. Yes, he did. Well, do you understand that Ahaziah was a descendant of Ahab? His mother was the daughter of Ahab. Do we remember that? How would the previous king had married off?

His own son to this daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. And I think it's tragic here. Here you have this king of Judah Ahaziah who was happy to associate himself With the northern kingdom of Israel and with their wicked kings.

Therefore he died in the same judgment that came upon the king of Israel. Listen, if you associate yourself with the wicked don't be surprised if the same judgment that's going to come upon the wicked comes upon You as well.

Now you have to say that other passages of Scripture 2nd Chronicles chapter 22, for example. It describes other details of this whole death of Ahaziah. But I just want you to understand That when Ahaziah was killed in battle, they gave him a dignified burial not only for his own sake But also because his ancestor just host of fat and David before him were godly men.

Jehu’s Violent Overthrow of Joram and Jezebel

All right now under verse 30. Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel Jezebel heard of it now stop the presses here for a moment at verse 30 Jezebel is still alive. Do you understand this? She's an old woman by now, but she's still alive.

And there she is there in the city of Jezreel. So what's going to happen with Jezebel? Well, it says now when Jehu had come to Jezreel Jezebel heard of it and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head and looked through a window.

Then as Jehu entered at the gate, she said is it peace? Zimri murderer of your master now you have to understand this. Jezebel called Jehu Zimri after a man who had assassinated a previous king of Israel.

King Basha of Israel was assassinated by Zimri so it was her way of calling Jehu a Despicable rebel. It's like saying is that you Judas? You know, it's sort of that sort of idea. That's why she says the word Zimri.

But by the way, you should also know that this was an implied threat. Because do you know who ended the brief reign of Zimri? Omri Jezebel's father-in-law. By implication Jezebel said the dynasty of Omri will defeat you just like it defeated Zimri.

And so there she is painted up in her face, you know, don't you imagine when you read that? She's got that really thick makeup on that just looks kind of gross and You know, maybe she's trying to appear like a majestic Queen even though judgment is about to come upon her.

But anyway, look what happens here. We left it off. It says and he looked up at the window and said who is on my side. Who? So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. Then he said throw her down so they threw her down and some of her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses and he trampled her underfoot and When he had gone in he ate and drank.

Then he said go now see to this accursed woman and bury her for she was a king's daughter. So they went to bury her but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands.

Therefore they came back and told him and he said this is the word of the Lord which he spoke by his servant Elisha the Tishbite saying on the plot of ground at Jezreel Dog shall eat the flesh of Jezebel and the corpse of Jezebel should be as refuse on the surface of the field in the plot.

At Jezreel so that they shall not say here lies Jezebel. And that amazing these eunuchs who worked for Jezebel. They didn't like her very much and as soon as Jeff who says well, who's on my side, you know the eunuchs don't say anything, but they give Jehu that look they're probably going you are pointing to themselves.

We're on your side. So it's just throw her down and that's exactly exactly What they did they threw her down in the street and then it says he trampled her underfoot. There's her dead body there in the street.

And he says well Let's ride into the city and they just ride in with the horses. Trompling over her dead body by the way in the ancient Near East cultures this Desecration of the dead body was a fate worse than death.

They really felt that there was something worse than just dying to have your dead body Desecrated like this was a fate worse than death itself, but it didn't bother Jehu one bit. He went in he ate and drank and then he says well, you know now that I'm full.

Maybe we should do something about this body. But when they get out, what did they see? There's nothing but her skull and the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet. I've been told I'm no scientist, but I've been told that it's true that dogs will eat every part of a human body.

Except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. I don't know why but I've been told that this is the case and if it is the case then that's the nature of dogs. And that's exactly what they did to Jezebel in this situation and it totally fulfilled the promise against Jezebel and the house.

They have as it says in verse 36. This is the word of the Lord. Now I want you to notice something though right here as we end chapter 9 and get ready to go into chapter 10. What do we think of Jehu? We say Praise the Lord.

Here's a man who was given a divine commission and he fulfilled it with energy with strength. He fulfilled it with seemingly everything that he had. He brought judgment upon the house of Omri and upon the descendants of Ahab.

Well, that's a good start for Jehu, let's see how he continues as we get into chapter 10 starting out verse 1 now Ahab had 70 sons in Samaria and Jehu wrote and sent letters to Samaria to the rulers of Jezreel to the elders and to those who reared Ahab's sons saying Now as soon as this letter comes to you since your master's sons are with you.

And you have chariots and horses a fortified city also and weapons choose the best qualified of your master's sons. And set him on his father's throne and fight for your master's house. But they were exceedingly afraid and said look two kings could not stand up to him.

How then can we stand? So do you see what Jehu's doing? It's a very logical challenge. He says alright. Look, I'm taking over you guys want to resist me. So if you want to resist me, then let's do it.

Establish one of Ahab's sons as a king. Muster up an army and let's go. Let's fight. Let's fight it out right now. It's really a very dignified way to put it but the response of the men of Jezreel was logical as well.

They say this man Jehu. He just killed two kings. He's a man of great power. He's a man of great momentum and authority. What are we going to do? So it goes on here now in verse. Oh Boy, where did we leave off?

Verse 5 there it says and when he arrived now, excuse me verse 5 and. But they were exceedingly afraid we'll start at verse 4 here. But they were exceedingly afraid and said look two kings could not stand up to him.

How then can we stand and he who was in charge of the house and he who was in charge of the city? The elders also and those who reared the sons sent to Jehu saying we are your servants. We will do all that you tell us but we will not make anyone king do what is good in your sight in other words.

What do you understand what they're doing here? They're waving the white flag of surrender. I said, okay. You know what? You're the boss. We're not going to make anybody king. You're going to be the king.

Tell us what to do and actually it was a very intelligent choice of them. They said if we battle against you, we're not going to win anyway. So let's figure out a way around this verse 6 then he wrote a second letter to them saying If you are for me and will obey my voice.

Take the heads of the men your master's sons and come to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow. Now the king's sons 70 persons were with the great men of the city who were rearing them. So it was when the letter came to them that they took the king's sons and slaughtered 70 persons.

Put their heads in baskets and sent them to him at Jezreel. Wow. Well now I want you to remember here God had called Jehu to bring judgment against the entire house of Ahab and that's exactly what he's doing.

And so they slaughtered these 70 persons. They put their heads in the baskets and they sent him to him. The Nobles were so afraid of Jehu that they sent this grim evidence of their obedience. And so they said this is what we're going to do now.

Verse 8. Then a messenger came and told him saying They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said lay them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning. So it was in the morning that he went out and stood and said to all the people You are righteous.

Indeed I conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these. Know now that nothing shall fall to the earth of the word of the Lord which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab. For the Lord has done what he spoke by his servant Elijah.

So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel and all his great men and his close Acquaintances and his priests until he left none of them remaining. Now you see when the people saw the severed heads of 70 descendants of Ahab.

They were afraid they thought the judgment of God is going to come upon us. So Jehu came and he said listen, I'll take the blame for this. You are righteous. If anyone's to blame it's me. I'm the one who rebelled against Joram and I'm the one who did that at the instigation of God.

Well, he assured them that this was God's judgment and they could move on. So now on to verse 12. Then he arose and Departed and went to Samaria on the way at Beth Echid of the shepherds. Jehu met with the brothers of Ahaziah king of Judah and said who are you and they answered?

We are the brothers of Ahaziah. We've come down to greet the sons of the king and the sons of the Queen Mother and he said take them alive. So they took them alive and killed them at the well of Beth Echid 42 men and left none of them.

Now I have to say that this of course was to the great misfortune of these men who met with Jew with Jehu at this time. It was great reforming zeal because They tried to mention the Queen Mother. They tried to say that they if you notice there it says so they answered we are the brothers of Ahaziah.

We've come down to greet the sons of the king and the sons of the Queen Mother. That's not going to score you any points with Jehu because he just killed all those people and so he left none of them again characteristic of Jehu wholehearted and Energetic obedience and I have to say that some people believe that the execution of Ahaziah's family Was an example of Jehu going too far.

That this was a reckless and ambitious hand that God told him to do something and in his own zeal and in his own effort He fulfilled it, but then went too far as well. It may be a case of that. Although you have to say that these men were also Descendants of Ahab because of their relation to Ahaziah who was the grandson of Ahab.

In any regard whether or not Jehu went too far when he did this it can be debated. But take a look at what he does here starting out verse 15. Now when he departed from there He met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him and he greeted him and said to him is your heart right as my heart is toward your heart.

And Jehonadab answered it is Jehu said if it is give me your hand and so he gave him his hand and he took him up in his chariot. And he said come with me and see my zeal for the Lord. So they had him ride in his chariot and when he came to Samaria He killed all who remained to Ahab in Samaria till he had destroyed them according to the word of the Lord which he spoke to Elijah now.

Let's assume that up to this point what Jehu did was correct. I know that when we just took a look at the 42 descendants of Ahaziah There could be some debate as to whether or not he did that but let's just say that that was righteous from the Lord.

You would say that up to this point. We're pretty happy about Jehu. Here seems to be a man who is concerned with fulfilling the judgments of God. Here seems a man who seems to be concerned about fulfilling the the prophesied role that God gave him to do.

Okay, we feel pretty good about Jehu. He's bloody but he's doing it because God told him to but now in verse 15 It says he met Jehonadab the son of Rehab. Now this is very interesting. Did you know that there was a order of Jews in the Old Testament times Called the Rehabites and this was a reform movement among the people of God.

They were protesting the immoral and the impure lives of many people in Israel and Judah. It was sort of a pietistic movement among the nation of Israel. And so at that time Jehonadab meets. Excuse me Jehu meets Jehonadab the son of Rehab.

In Jeremiah chapter 35 God used the Rehabites and the memory of Jehonadab as an example of faithfulness and obedience. To rebuke his unfaithful and disobedient people very interesting dimension of them in Jeremiah chapter 35.