Jehu Slaughters Ahab’s Decendants

II Kings 10:1–17
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Seventy sons who were descendants of Ahab lived in Samaria, the capital of Israel. Jehu planned to execute every relative who could possibly succeed Ahab. He wrote letters to the officials of Jezreel inviting them to select a king from Ahab’s sons to fight against him in a contest to determine who had the right to the throne. They refused as they realized they were no match for Jehu.

He then sent a second letter demanding the rulers and guardians in Samaria to deliver the seventy sons’ heads to Jezreel by the next day, and these terms were promptly met. He had these heads stacked at the gate to discourage any counter revolution.

Jehu had wiped out Ahab’s heirs in Samaria and Jezreel, which God approved. However, he also executed all of Ahab’s close friends and priests which God did not approve and for which He later judged Jehu’s own dynasty. He simply got carried away in his zeal and killed many innocent people who could have helped him be a more effective king.

As Jehu was traveling south, he encountered a large caravan of travelers who identified themselves as members of Ahaziah’s family. Unaware of Jehu’s coup they were easy prey for his forces. Jehu killed all forty-two in this group.

Application

Jehu went beyond the Lord’s command when he killed innocent people. The prophet Hosea later announced punishment upon Jehu’s dynasty for this senseless slaughter (Hosea 1:4-5). It is always wrong to use God or the Bible to condone oppression and accomplish our own agenda.