2 Kings 10 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Kings 10 Short Summary:

In 2 Kings 10, after killing the previous king and claiming the throne of Israel for himself, Jehu proceeded to exterminate all the relatives of wicked king Ahab. This purge was the fulfillment of a prophecy spoken against the house of Ahab by the prophet Elijah. Jehu then cleansed Israel of Baal worship by destroying all the worshipers of Baal along with the house of Baal.

2 Kings 10 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• Jehu’s reign likely fell within the window of 890-850 B.C.

• Jehu was king for 28 years over the northern kingdom of Israel.

CHARACTERS:

• Jehu – God chose him to be king of Israel after Jehoram (Joram). He killed Jehoram (king of Israel) and Ahaziah (king of Judah) at Jezreel.

• The Relatives of Ahab – They were exterminated by Jehu.

• Worshipers of Baal – People devoted to the Canaanite idol Baal.

• Jehoahaz – Jehu’s son who followed him as king.

WHERE:

• Jehu killed Ahab’s relatives in Jezreel and Samaria.

• The house/temple of Baal is mentioned in this chapter, but the text does not tell us its specific location.

• God started breaking up the kingdom of Israel, starting with the land east of the Jordan River. This territory included the land originally given to the tribes of Manasseh, Gad, and Reuben.

OUTLINE:

• JEHU KILLS AHAB’S REMAINING FAMILY MEMBERS (10:1-17):

  • God prophesied through Elijah that all of Ahab’s descendants would be destroyed, and Jehu determined to be the man who fulfilled that promise.

  • Jehu sent messengers to the servants who cared for Ahab’s 70 sons in Samaria and told them to prepare for battle if they wanted to oppose him.

  • But the servants didn’t want to fight Jehu, they were afraid of him.

  • Jehu sent them another message, commanding them to kill all 70 of Ahab’s sons and bring their heads to him at Jezreel.

  • The servants killed all 70, loaded their heads into baskets, and sent them to Jezreel where they were put in two piles at the gate of the city.

  • Jehu announced to the people of Jezreel that his actions were motivated by his desire to fulfill the word of the Lord which He spoke through his prophet Elisha (1 Kings 21:20-21).

  • Jehu proceeded to kill all the remaining relatives and friends of Ahab that lived in Jezreel.

  • Jehu also killed some of the relatives of Ahaziah, the former king of Judah, when they entered his land to visit Ahab’s relatives.

  • He then visited Samaria and killed everyone connected to Ahab in that city.

• JEHU TRICKS THE PROPHETS AND WORSHIPERS OF BAAL (10:18-28):

  • Jehu tricked the people and told them he was going to be a worshiper of Baal, a false god, just like Ahab had been.

  • In truth, he was planning to kill all the Baal worshipers in Israel.

  • He appointed a special day of worship in the house of Baal, and all of Baal adherents attended.

  • Jehu gave secret orders to 80 men outside of the house of Baal to kill everyone inside.

  • After Jehu finished offering a sacrifice, his men carried out his orders. They killed ever worshiper of Baal and demolished the house of Baal. The ruins were made into a latrine (toilet).

• JEHU’S REIGN IN ISRAEL (10:29-36):

  • Unfortunately, although he started off well, Jehu didn’t honor God during the rest of his rule.

  • During his time, God started cutting off pieces of the Israelite kingdom, especially from their land east of the Jordan River.

  • Jehu died after reigning 28 years. His son Jehoahaz took his place.

APPLICATION:

• Jehu saw himself as the man who was responsible for fulfilling God’s prophesy to execute judgement against the house of Ahab.

• When he took on that responsibility, he completed his task with swiftness, zeal, and boldness.

• As disciples of Jesus’, certain responsibilities have been laid at our feet. Do we do our best to complete them with swiftness and zeal? Is there any urgency to fulfill our responsibilities?

• Or are we content to let things linger, making decisions slowly, dragging things out for months, waiting 5 weeks to get approval at the next congregational meeting?

• We’ve got work to do! Work that can’t wait. There are people in the world without the salvation of Christ. We should have a real sense of urgency and a belief that our work is too important to be delayed.