2 Kings 10
McGee2 Kings 10:1
AHAB’S HOUSE IS JUDGEDJehu is giving the sons of Ahab the privilege of fighting for the throne of Israel. Not one of the seventy sons is willing to tackle Jehu. Then the elders of Israelto save their own necksprove their allegiance to Jehu by slaying these seventy sons of Ahab.
2 Kings 10:12
JEHU MASSACRES THE ROYAL PRINCES OF JUDAHAfter dealing with the house of Ahab, Jehu was on his way to assume the throne in Samaria. He met forty-two sons (or nephews) of Ahaziah, the king of Judah. He slew them also. It is interesting to note, however, that one of them was spared, and he was a descendant of the house of Saul.
2 Kings 10:15
Jehu, still on his way to Samaria, met Jehonadab, the Rechabite. The question he put to him was, “Are you friend or foe?” Jehonadab was the founder of the very strict sect of Rechabites mentioned by Jeremiah. He was undoubtedly a man of influence. Apparently he heartily approved of Jehu’s anti-Ahab policy and was willing to lend his support by being seen in Jehu’s chariot.
2 Kings 10:18
JEHU EXTERMINATES BAAL’S WORSHIPERSThe next thing Jehu did was to bring together all of the prophets of Baal by issuing a false statement that he would offer a great sacrifice to Baal. Jehu had no intention of worshiping Baal. When all the prophets came together, he slew them. His sacrifice to Baal was a trap and the prophets fell right into it.
2 Kings 10:29
JEHU FOLLOWS THE SINS OF JEROBOAMWhile it is true that Jehu slew the prophets of Baal, he did not turn to the prophets of God. Jehu went back to the calf worship that Jeroboam had established. He did not worship Baal, nor the gods of the Zidonians, but he engaged in the calf worship that apparently came out of the land of Egypt. Jehu did not turn to the Lord, but because he was zealous for the Lord, God gave him an earthly rewardthat is, He extended the reign of his house for four generations.
2 Kings 10:30
Although Jehu was a very brutal man, God makes the wrath of man to praise Him!
2 Kings 10:32
ISRAEL IS SMITTEN BY HAZAEL OF SYRIAWhat is happening here? The northern kingdom is getting ready to go into captivity. From now on there will be a decline which will ultimately end in disaster. They will be carried away into captivity by Assyria. The chapter concludes with the death of Jehu who had been king of Israel for twenty-eight years.