Jehu was a significant figure in the Bible, primarily known for his violent overthrow of the Omride dynasty in the northern kingdom of Israel. Here's a breakdown of his story:
* Anointed King: Jehu was a commander in the Israelite army under King Joram (also called Jehoram). The prophet Elisha sent one of his disciples to anoint Jehu as the next king of Israel (2 Kings 9). This anointing was divinely ordained, signaling that God had chosen Jehu to carry out his judgment against the house of Ahab and Jezebel.
* Rebellion and Massacre: Jehu's rise to power was swift and brutal. He assassinated King Joram (the son of Ahab) and Ahaziah, the king of Judah, who was visiting Joram (2 Kings 9:24, 27). He then went to Jezreel and had Jezebel, Ahab's widow, thrown from a window to her death (2 Kings 9:30-37).
* Elimination of the House of Ahab: Jehu systematically killed all the remaining members of Ahab's family, as well as the priests and worshippers of Baal (a pagan deity). The account in 2 Kings describes the extermination in graphic detail. He used deceit to gather the Baal worshippers and then slaughtered them all (2 Kings 10:18-27).
* Motivation and Legacy: Jehu's actions were presented in the Bible as fulfilling God's command to punish the house of Ahab for their idolatry and wickedness. However, his extreme violence has also been a subject of debate and moral scrutiny. While he was praised for destroying Baal worship, the Bible also notes that Jehu did not turn away from the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, which were other forms of idolatry (2 Kings 10:29). Thus, his obedience to God was selective.
* Reign: Jehu reigned as king of Israel for 28 years (2 Kings 10:36). His reign was marked by territorial losses to Hazael, king of Aram (Syria), which were a consequence of the sins of the northern kingdom (2 Kings 10:32-33).
In summary, Jehu was a king of Israel who came to power through a violent and divinely sanctioned revolution. He is remembered for his bloody purge of the Omride dynasty and the elimination of Baal worship, but also for his own incomplete obedience and the harshness of his methods.