2 Kings 9-10
The Voice
9 The prophet Elisha gave instructions to one of the prophets’ disciples.
Elisha: Prepare yourself, and transport this bottle of oil to Ramoth-gilead. 2 Once you arrive, find Jehu (son of Jehoshaphat, Nimshi’s son). Ask him to leave his brothers, and then lead him into a more private chamber. 3 Anoint his head with oil from the bottle and speak these words: “This is the Eternal’s message: ‘I anoint you as Israel’s king.’” Then exit through the door quickly, and do not look back.
4 The young prophet traveled to Ramoth-gilead. 5 When he got there, the military commanders were sitting together.
Young Prophet: I have a message for you, Commander.
Jehu: We are all commanders. Which commander do you seek?
Young Prophet: You, Commander.
6 Jehu stood up, and he and the young prophet entered the house together. The young man anointed Jehu’s head with oil and spoke these words:
Young Prophet: This is the message from the Eternal, Israel’s God: “I anoint you as king over all of the Eternal’s people. You are Israel’s king. 7 The first thing I want you to do is attack your master Ahab’s house. Do this so that I may have vengeance for what Jezebel did to My prophets and to those who served Me. 8 Slaughter all of Ahab’s household, starting with King Joram. All the male members of Ahab’s house, slave or free, will be killed in Israel. 9 Ahab’s household will be like the household of Jeroboam (Nebat’s son) and the household of Baasha (Ahijah’s son)—ruined. 10 Jezebel will be devoured by dogs in the land of Jezreel. Her body will not be buried by anyone because it will be torn to pieces.”
The young prophet then opened the door and departed in haste.
11 When Jehu appeared before his master’s servants, one of the commanders questioned him.
Commander: Is everything well? What did that lunatic have to say to you?
Jehu: You should already know this man and his talk of nonsense.
Jehu’s hesitation before telling his commanders what has happened is understandable. These men are all servants of King Joram. By allowing himself to be anointed as king, Jehu commits treason against his king, who has been God’s chosen ruler. This story parallels the ascension of David to Israel’s throne: both men serve in the king’s army, are anointed in private, and are reluctant to kill the king. Just as David was the fresh start for all of Israel, Jehu is God’s fresh start in the Northern Kingdom.
Commanders: 12 We don’t believe you. Tell us what he really said!
Jehu: Very well. This is what he told me: “This is the Eternal’s message: ‘I anoint you as Israel’s king.’”
13 All the men quickly took off their coats and placed them before Jehu on the steps. They sounded the trumpet.
Commanders: Jehu is now Israel’s king!
14 Jehu (son of Jehoshaphat, Nimshi’s son) began plotting against Joram. The entire community of Israel with Joram was defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael (Aram’s king); but if you remember, 15 King Joram had gone to Jezreel to wait for his injuries to heal—the injuries the Arameans had given him while he was fighting against Aram’s king, Hazael.
Jehu: If you really want me to be king, then do not let anyone leave this city to spread this news in Jezreel.
16 Jehu took a chariot to Jezreel, where Joram was resting. As you may recall, Ahaziah (Judah’s king) was there visiting Joram. 17 The watchman was up on the watchtower in Jezreel, and he saw Jehu and his followers approaching.
Watchman: There is a large group of people approaching.
Joram: Summon a horseman to go out to the group and ask them, “Do you come in peace?”
18 A horseman went out and spoke to Jehu and his followers.
Horseman: The king asks, “Do you come in peace?”
Jehu: Peace? What do you know about peace? Get behind me, and follow.
The watchman immediately went and updated Joram about the situation.
Watchman: The horseman went out to them, but he did not come back.
19 Joram summoned another horseman.
Second Horseman: The king asks, “Do you come in peace?”
Jehu: Peace? What do you know about peace? Get behind me, and follow.
20 The watchman then went and updated Joram about the situation again.
Watchman: The second horseman went out to them, but he did not come back either. Their force and speed is as fierce as the crazy driving of Jehu (Nimshi’s son).
Joram: 21 Prepare my chariot.
So they prepared his chariot; and he and Ahaziah (Judah’s king) went out together, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu’s caravan on Naboth the Jezreelite’s land.
Joram (face-to-face with Jehu): 22 Do you come in peace, Jehu?
Jehu: Peace? What do you know about peace when the promiscuity and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are too vast to measure!
23 Joram quickly realized that Jehu intended to attack, so he immediately turned his chariot around, quickly rode away, and yelled out to Ahaziah.
Joram: We’ve been betrayed, Ahaziah! Quickly, ride away!
24 But Jehu pulled his bowstring back as far as he could. He released an arrow that struck Joram between his shoulder blades, piercing straight through his heart. Joram fell over in his chariot.
Jehu (to his officer, Bidkar): 25 Pick up his body, and throw him into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite on the eastern slope of the Jezreel hill. I have just remembered that while you and I were riding after his father, Ahab, the Eternal revealed a prophecy concerning him: 26 “I have seen the past and witnessed Naboth’s blood and that of his sons as well. I will one day pay you back in this land,” spoke the Eternal. So go now, pick up Joram’s body, and throw him into Naboth’s field, just as He has said.
27 Ahaziah (Judah’s king) witnessed all of this from a distance, and he rode away by the path to Beth-haggan. Jehu went after him.
Jehu (calling out): Send an arrow toward his chariot, and kill him too!
They shot him at Ibleam as he was driving up toward Gur. But he did not die there. He continued on to Megiddo, where he took his last breath.
28 Ahaziah’s servants transported him to Jerusalem in a chariot. They buried him with his fathers in the city of David. 29 During the 11th year of Joram (Ahab’s son), Ahaziah inherited the throne over Judah.
30 When Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel was informed of his arrival. She put on her best make-up and fixed her hair, and she stuck her head out her window. 31 While Jehu rode through the gate, she taunted him.
Jezebel: Is everything okay, traitor?[a] Is everything all right, you murderer of your master?
Jehu (looking up at her window): 32 Is anyone in this city on my side? Anyone?
A few officers, who were eunuchs, peered down at him.
Jehu: 33 Seize her, and throw her out the window!
They did as he instructed and threw her out the window. Her blood splattered everywhere—on the ground, on the wall, on the horses. He rode his horse over her and pounded her into the ground.
34 He then went inside to eat and drink. After he had his fill, he gave instructions.
Jehu: Go take care of the mess outside. Give the accursed woman a proper burial. After all, she was a royal daughter.
35 They went out to clean up the mess and bury her body; but when they got there, they found a most haunting sight. All that remained was her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands. 36 They went back and told Jehu this news, and he explained it to them.
Jehu: This is the Eternal’s message which He gave through the prophet Elijah the Tishbite: “Jezebel will be devoured by dogs in the land of Jezreel.[b] 37 Her body will be so gruesome that it will be like a pile of dung on the surface of a field in the land of Jezreel. No one will recognize the remains. No one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel.’”
10 Ahab had many sons in Samaria—70 in all. This is how Jehu got the best of them:
Jehu wrote many letters to Samaria—to the leaders in Jezreel, the elders, as well as the caretakers of Ahab’s children.
Jehu’s Letter: 2 When you receive this letter, you will be in the company of Ahab’s sons; and at your fingertips, you will have all the force you need—chariots, horses, weapons, and a fortified city. 3 So choose the best and strongest son of your late master to inherit the throne, and then go fight with honor for your master’s household.
4 The leaders of Jezreel became immensely afraid because of Jehu’s letter.
Leaders of Jezreel: If two mighty kings cannot survive this man, is it possible for us to survive him?
5 All the leading citizens of Jezreel—leader of the city, house managers, elders, and the children’s guardians—sent a letter back to Jehu.
Leaders’ Letter: Mighty Jehu, consider us all your servants. We will do anything you ask. But know this, we are not going to give the throne to one of Ahab’s sons. We hand this matter over to you and wish only for you to do what you think is best.
Jehu’s Reply: 6 Prove yourselves. If you have truly given yourselves over to my service and will do as I say, then I command you to behead Ahab’s sons and bring the heads to me at Jezreel this time tomorrow.
All 70 of Ahab’s sons lived with the chief men in the city, who were their guardians. 7 After the leaders of Jezreel read Jehu’s second letter, they beheaded all 70 of Ahab’s sons. It was a horrific slaughter! They then placed all the heads in baskets and transported the blood-drenched baskets to Jezreel, so that Jehu would have proof of their obedience to him.
Servant (to Jehu): 8 The heads of the late king’s sons have arrived.
Jehu: Make two piles of them at the gate entrance, and leave them there until dawn.
9 Dawn arrived, and Jehu addressed everyone.
Jehu: I speak to you who are innocent! I am responsible for slaughtering my king, but who is responsible for this slaughter? 10 The word of the Eternal One is unbreakable. All that He has said would happen to Ahab’s household has happened. His servant Elijah the prophet was His true messenger, a true man of God!
11 Jehu slaughtered everyone who belonged to Ahab’s household in Jezreel. He slaughtered all who knew Ahab—the mighty men of the city, the priests, and even mere acquaintances. There was not a single person left alive who knew Ahab.
Whenever a king dies, there is always some struggle over who should follow him. Even when King David died, his successor was unclear (1 Kings 1). Since Jehu is not related to Ahab, he does not have a blood right to the throne; and since Jehu takes it by force, he must keep it by force. The best way to make sure none of Ahab’s family and acquaintances conspire against him is to kill them all.
12 For example, on his way to Samaria, when Jehu was with the shepherds at Beth-eked, 13 he met some relatives of Ahaziah, king of Judah.
Jehu: Do I know you?
Ahaziah’s Relatives: We are related to Ahaziah. We are here to meet the king and queen’s sons.
Jehu: 14 Seize them!
They seized Ahaziah’s relatives, and they slaughtered them at the ditch of Beth-eked. There were 42 men slaughtered that day. Not a single man was left alive. No mercy was shown.
15 Jehu left in his chariot, and he was met by Jehonadab (Rechab’s son).
Jehu: I have no grievance against you. Do you have a problem with me?
Jehonadab: No. I am at peace with you, as you are at peace with me.
Jehu: If you truly are at peace with me, then offer your hand to me.
Jehonadab offered his hand to Jehu, and Jehu lifted him up into the chariot.
Jehu: 16 You’re coming with me. You will witness my zeal for the Eternal One.
So the two rode off together in Jehu’s chariot. 17 When they arrived in Samaria, Jehu slaughtered every person who was at all connected to Ahab. Finally every remnant of Ahab was erased from the earth. This all happened exactly as the Eternal said it would when He gave His message through Elijah.
18 For Jehu’s next ingenious move, he assembled everyone.
Jehu: Ahab served Baal a little, but I, Jehu, will serve him much more! 19 Quick! Assemble all of Baal’s servants together—his prophets, priests, and worshipers—so they can witness the great sacrifice I am going to offer Baal. If any of Baal’s servants do not attend this sacrificial gathering, they will be slaughtered.
Several cultures in the ancient Near East worshiped gods named Baal, which literally means, “lord.” Baal began as a local Canaanite god of thunder and rain long before the Hebrews entered Canaan, but his cult spread to other nations and changed in each of them. One thousand years later, under Jezebel’s influence, these Israelites are worshiping the Phoenician Baal, whom they consider the highest god and creator of the universe.
Jehu only said this sly thing so that he might slaughter Baal’s servants all in one attack.
Jehu: 20 Purify the sacred gathering for Baal.
They did as they were told.
21 Jehu spread the word of this sacred gathering throughout all of Israel. Every single one of Baal’s worshipers in the entire land attended. Everyone assembled inside the temple of Baal, and it was packed from wall to wall. Jehu continued pretending he was devoted to Baal. 22 He gave instructions to the wardrobe manager.
Jehu: Bring out the proper robes to all of Baal’s worshipers.
The wardrobe manager did as Jehu instructed and brought out the proper clothing to everyone.
23 Jehu was accompanied by Jehonadab (Rechab’s son) as he entered the temple of Baal. Jehu gave a strict command to Baal’s worshipers.
Jehu: Look among yourselves, and make sure that none of the Eternal’s servants have slipped in without us noticing. This is very important. There should be no one but Baal’s servants within this room.
24 All of Baal’s servants began to give offerings and sacrifice burnt offerings to Baal. Outside the temple of Baal, Jehu had stationed 80 soldiers. He gave them strict instructions.
Jehu: Kill them all without mercy. If you let anyone escape, then you will die in his place.
25 Jehu offered a burnt offering for show; and after he finished with it, he gave the command to the soldiers and their officers.
Jehu: It’s time. Go inside quickly, and be sure to slaughter every last one of them. Don’t let any escape alive.
Needless to say, when the soldiers enter the place of burnt offerings, all of Baal’s servants are shocked and horrified by the attack.
The soldiers slaughtered every one of Baal’s servants with the sword—one by one. After the massacre was over, the soldiers and the officers then tossed the corpses outside of Baal’s temple. When they had removed all of the corpses, they entered the inner chamber. 26 There they tore down and removed the sacred pillars from this pagan temple, and they set them on fire. 27 They tore down Baal’s sacred pillar and proceeded to tear down the rest of Baal’s temple. Ever since then, that place has been designated as a latrine, even to this day.
28 And that is the story of how Jehu exterminated Baal worship from the community of Israel. 29 But Jehu emulated the wickedness of Jeroboam (Nebat’s son)—causing the Israelites to live sinful lives. He did not turn away from the golden calves in Bethel and in Dan.
Eternal One (to Jehu): 30 I commend you for your good work. You have honored Me by destroying Ahab’s household as I desired. I am going to reward you by allowing your sons, until the fourth generation, to reign over Israel.
31 After all that Jehu had done, and even after the Lord had honored him, he fell from the higher path, from the ways of the Eternal. His whole heart did not belong to Israel’s God. He walked the wicked path of Jeroboam, causing the Israelites to live sinful lives.
32 During that time, the Eternal One began reducing the territorial holdings of Israel.
Hazael and his Aramean army are the human instrument for this act of divine judgment.
Hazael conquered these sections throughout the land of Israel— 33 all territories east of the Jordan River (where the Gileadites, the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the Manassites lived), from Aroer (near the Arnon Valley) north to Gilead and Bashan as well.
34 Is not the rest of Jehu’s story—his accomplishments and his actions—documented in the book of the chronicles of Israel’s kings? 35 Jehu left this world to sleep with his fathers, and he was laid to rest in Samaria. His son, Jehoahaz, then inherited the throne. 36 Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for 28 years.
Footnotes
- 9:31 Hebrew, Zimri
- 9:36 1 Kings 21:23
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
