Day 128 · Part 8: Two Kingdoms
Jehu
In the Story
In context
Elisha sends a young prophet to Ramoth Gilead to pour oil on the head of Jehu, an army captain, and anoint him king of Israel, as the Lord had told Elijah at Horeb (2 Kings 9:1–6; 1 Kings 19:16). The other captains spread their cloaks under him and blow the trumpet: “Jehu is king” (9:13). The watchman at Jezreel knows him from far off: “he drives furiously” (9:20).
This is a hard reading, with many killings told plainly. Jehu shoots King Joram and has his body thrown onto Naboth’s plot of ground, saying it is the Lord’s word (9:24–26; 1 Kings 21:19). Ahaziah of Judah is struck down and dies at Megiddo, and Jezebel is thrown from a window and eaten by dogs, as Elijah had said (9:27–37; 1 Kings 21:23). Ahab’s seventy sons are killed, and the worshipers of Baal in Baal’s house (10:7, 25).
Jehonadab son of Rechab rides with Jehu (10:15–16); in Jeremiah’s day his family were still keeping his rule against wine (Jeremiah 35:6). Jehu destroys Baal out of Israel but keeps Jeroboam’s golden calves at Bethel and Dan, and the Lord tells him his descendants will reign to the fourth generation (10:28–30).
Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever. Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
Psalms 119:89–90 · Jehu said nothing of the Lord’s word through Elijah would “fall to the earth”; the psalm says, “Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.”
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
2 Kings 9
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2 Kings 10
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A hymn for today
Standing on the Promises · words by R. Kelso Carter
- Standing on the promises of Christ my King,Through eternal ages let His praises ring;Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises that cannot fail,When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,By the living Word of God I shall prevail,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises I now can seePerfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord,Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises I cannot fall,List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call,Resting in my Savior as my all in all,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.