II Kings 10: Wipe Out!

Remember how Jonathan made David swear an oath to always look out for his family?  The actions of Jehu in II Kings 10 illustrate why Jonathan had cause to be worried about a change in dynasty.  When a new family comes to the throne, the first order of business is usually slaughtering all of the previous king's heirs so as to eliminate any challengers to the crown.  In Jehu's case, not only did he wipe out all of Ahab's family, he also cleansed the land of Baal worshipers.

The regime change begins with a massacre of Ahab's 70 children.  Although they had been put under the protection of officers loyal to Ahab, when Jehu challenges them to anoint one of Ahab's sons as king and fight for him, the elders have a change of heart.  The officials switch sides and promise to serve Jehu instead.  So he commands them to kill all of Ahab's children and send him their heads.  In what must have been an incredibly grotesque scene, they o just that.  "So Jehu killed all who were left of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, all his leaders, close friends, and priests, until he left him no survivor" (vs. 11).

Later, Jehu continues ridding the land of corruption.  A delegation of 42 relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah arrives to visit Jezebel and her children, unaware that Jehu has killed them all.  Jehu orders them slaughtered, too.  The killing continues until all connections to Ahab are eliminated.  "When [Jehu] came to Samaria, he killed all who were left to Ahab in Samaria, until he had wiped them out, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke to Elijah" (vs. 17).

Then Jehu sets his sights on ridding the land of Baal.  Using a clever ruse, Jehu tricks the worshipers of Baal into identifying themselves and congregating in one place.  He makes a pretense that he will surpass Ahab in his worship of Baal.  "Ahab offered Baal small service; but Jehu will offer much more" (vs. 18).  He commands that a massive sacrifice be prepared.  When all of the Baal worshipers are gathered together, thinking that they are now royally favored, Jehu orders his men to kill them all.  "Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel" (vs. 28).

However, Jehu was not perfect in following the Lord.  He allowed the idol worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan to continue.  This "original sin" of Israel when Jeroboam first came to the throne and ordered these idols to be created in order to rival Jerusalem as a place of worship remained a stumbling block to the nation's spiritual health.  Still, the Lord was pleased enough with Jehu to promise that his line would remain on the throne for four generations.  Yet we get the sense that it is the beginning of the end for the nation as Israel's enemies begin whittling away at her territory and influence (vs. 32-33).