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The Book of 2 Kings

Second Kings continues the story of the prophets Elijah and Elisha and the history of Israel and Judah until they were both conquered – Israel by Assyria in 722 BC and Judah by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

Key Verse: 2 Kings 9:37

“Jezebel’s body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say ‘This is Jezebel.’”
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Elisha sent for one of the other prophets and told him to get ready, take a flask of oil, and go to Ramoth Gilead. He was to look for Jehu son of Jehosaphat. He was to separate him from his companions, pour oil on his head, and anoint him king over Israel. Immediately thereafter he should leave – run even! The messenger did as directed, anointed Jehu, and advised him that the Lord wanted him to destroy the house of Ahab and carry out his curse made long ago on Jezebel. Then, remembering Elisha’s words, the messenger opened the door and ran away. When Jehu told his companions what had happened, they spread their cloaks on the ground, blew the trumpet, and shouted “Jehu is king!”

To carry out God’s judgment, Jehu conspired against Joram (Ahab had died and Ahaziah his son took his place. When Ahaziah died, Joram his brother became king.) At this time, Jorah was resting in Jezreel recoverying from a wound received in defending Ramoth Gilead against Hazael king of Aram.

When lookouts saw Jehu and his men coming, Joram sent two runners to inquire if they came in peace, but neither runner returned. The lookout reported that it looked like the leader of the approaching group was Jehu because “He drives like a madman!” (Even way back then some people could be recognized by their poor driving habits! Lord help us, we haven’t changed much over the centuries!)

So, Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah took chariots out to meet Jehu. (In the 11th year of Joram’s reign over Israel, Ahaziah had become king of Judah and they had been fighting together against Hazael king or Aram.) They asked Jehu themselves, “Have you come in peace?” Jehu replied that there could be no peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of Jezebel continued. Joram turned and ran and called to Ahaziah that it was a trap.. Jehu shot Joram in the back with an arrow and he died in his chariot. Jehu instructed his men to take Joram and throw his body in the field of Naboth (the man Jezebel had had killed so that Ahab could have his vineyard.) and he reminded his men about the Lord’s prophecy about Ahab and his family which he made upon the death of Naboth.

Ahaziah king of Judah was also wounded by Jehu’s men, but escaped to Megiddo where he died.

Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel found out he was coming, she put on makeup, fixed her hair, and waited for him at an upper window. She looked down at him and asked if he had come in peace and called him a murderer. Jehu called for assistance from Jezebel’s eunuchs and they threw her down from the window where she was trampled to death in the street beneath the feet of the horses.

Jehu then nonchalantly went in to eat. Later he told his men to go take care of Jezebel’s body for, after all, she was a king’s daughter. When his men found only her skull, her hands and her feet, they reported back that the word of the Lord had been fulfilled for he had said “On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel so that no one will be able to say ‘This is Jezebel.’”

Next week: Jehu wipes out all of Ahab’s line.

NOTE: When my son Fred returned from his vacation to NC and AZ recently, he told me his former pastor in NC was now teaching the book of 2 Kings and their church has a website where you can go to download and listen to his Thursday night lessons. I have listened to several and feel that you might enjoy them too.

His Life Lessons for 2 Kings 9 (today’s study above) are:
1. God is the One who puts rulers, kings and presidents into power.
2. The anointing of power is to bless others
3. Don’t drive like Jehu!
4. The way you want to be remembered is the way you should live.

Pastor David McGee of the Calvary Chapel of the Triad is an animated and knowledgeable speaker who makes the bible come alive with his often amusing comments.

If you have the time, please visit http://www.reachthetriad.com/teaching.php?Testament=Old&Book=All and check it out. He is also teaching in Romans on Sunday morning and you can find those lessons at http://www.reachthetriad.com/teaching.php?Testament=New&Book=All .

Thank you Fred for helping us along in our studies.