Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Jehu is anointed the King of Israel in 2 Kings 9 at the instruction of Elisha. He is told to eliminate all of Ahab’s heirs. In doing so he kills not only Joram of Israel but Ahaziah of Judah. All the descendants from Ahab’s line are murdered. Jezebel is also killed by being thrown from a window. She is eaten by dogs as was prophesied by Elijah before he was taken by Jehovah.

More gruesome events are recorded in 2 Kings 10.  Jehu sends a message to the leaders of Samaria requesting them to appoint one of Ahab’s family as the new King. They refuse because they are afraid of this murderer. He asks for their loyalty to be shown by killing all seventy of Ahab’s male family members. Then the heads are piled up. The new king continues his slaughter of the families of the two Kings.

Jehu deceives and kills the servants of Baal. He takes care to not execute any of the followers of Yahweh. Jehu is not a follower of the Lord but is guaranteed his family will reign up to four generations. His son Jehoahaz is the second of these monarchs.

Athaliah was Ahaziah’s mother. In 2 Kings 11, after he is killed, she becomes queen of Judah and exterminates the rest of the family. Joash, the former King’s son, is kept safe and becomes king. When he is old enough, they proceed to crown him King and his grandmother runs to the Temple to try to save her own life. She is removed from the Temple and executed.

The idols and altars are destroyed, and the new King makes a covenant with Jehovah. Joash was only seven when he began to reign.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger