Jehu Anointed King of Israel

E. M. Bounds says in his classic book, The Power of Prayer: “Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men...What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but m … More

Anointed

The last official act of Elisha was to be of great significance for both Israel and Judah. Jehu’s accession to the throne of Israel was predicted by Elijah (I Kings 19:16). Elijah had been commissioned by God to anoint Jehu king over Israel. This assignment fell to his successor Elisha, who delegated one of his disciples to do the actual anointing.

Jehu was one of the captains of the northern army (9:5). His inaugural commission was to carry out a fulfillment of God’s predicted judgment on the house of Ahab (I Kings 21:21-24). When the prophet anointed Jehu, he explained to him the purpose for which God had chosen him. He was to destroy Ahab’s household. This would avenge the blood of the Lord’s prophets and servants which had been shed as a result of Jezebel’s influence. Jeroboam’s and Baasha’s dynasties had ended violently and so would Ahab’s.

After the young  prophet had anointed Jehu, he ran away as Elisha had told him to do (v. 3). Seeing this the officers referred to the prophet as a madman (v. 11). Jehu tried to change the subject when his friends asked him what the prophet had said. However, these friends would not be put off and pressed to know what had happened. At this point Jehu explained that the prophets had anointed him king over Israel. Immediately the officers arranged a little ceremony, blowing the trumpets and shouting, Jehu is king!

Application

 

 

Jehu’s actions to kill off all of the friends and relatives of Ahab may seem very harsh but unchecked Baal worship was destroying the nation. Sin must be dealt with in my life anytime it raises its ugly head, and if it isn’t taken care of, it will destroy me.

 

II Kings 9:1-13 (English Standard Version)


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