Jehu's Third Assignment-Ridding Israel of Ahab's Power

By Mary Vee
II Kings 10

From Jehu's Journals

Jehu anointed king of Israel to rid the country of
Ahab's rule Photo Courtesy

I have received instructions from the Lord to rid Israel of those who have been in charge and have led the people away from worshiping the one true God. The God of our fathers. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I also am to rid the country of all the false gods.

Ahab's son, king Joram, is dead. Jezebel, Ahab's wife, is dead. One of Ahab's seventy other sons may choose to usurp the throne and bring back the worship of gods and other things that do not please the one true God.

The seventy sons of Ahab live in Samaria. I wrote letters to the officials of Jezreel, the men who served as elders and guardians of Ahab's children. In the letter I said, "As soon as this letter reaches you, choose the best and most worthy of Ahab's sons and set him on his father's throne. When you have finished, prepare to fight for your master's house."

My messenger said the men became terrified. They said to each other, "If two kings could not resist him, Joram and Ahaziah, how can we?" Then he handed me this message from the men: "We are your servants and will do anything you say. We will not appoint anyone as king. You do whatever you think is best."

This was very good news to hear. I wrote another message to these officials saying, "If you are on my side and will obey me, take the heads of your master's sons and bring them to me in Jezreel by this time tomorrow."

The next day I received what I had asked for. I ordered the guards to place the heads by the city gates.

In the morning I stood before all the people and said, "You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him, but I did not kill the princes. Know then, that not a word the Lord has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail. The Lord has done what He promised through his servant Elijah." 

I finished my work by killing everyone in Jezreel who sided with Ahab and his evil ways, leaving no survivors. I then wen to Judah and did the same to Ahaziah's house, searching for those who followed Ahaziah. In some places I left no survivors.

I searched for king Ahaziah and found him hiding in Samaria. After he died, he was taken to Jerusalem and buried with his fathers in his tomb in the City of David. By the time I finished, there was no one in Ahaziah's house powerful enough to take over the kingdom.

I left Judah on my chariot and met Jehonadab along the way. I greeted him and asked, "Are you with me as I am with you?"

"I am," he said.

I reached my hand out to him. "Good, Give me your hand." I helped him up into the chariot. "Come with me and join my zeal for the Lord."

All of my work was done according to the word of the Lord as spoken to Elijah.

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1.  Jehu was to rid Israel of ____________ and ____________/
2.  What happened to the 70 sons of Ahab?
3.  Who told Jehu to do these things?
4.  Why was it done?
5. Jehu met Jehonadab along the way. What did Jehu ask him to do?
6. All of the work done was according to ___________ as spoken to ________.