Commentary on 2 Kings 9-16
Chuck Smith explores the prophetic anointing of Jehu and God's sovereign judgment in 2 Kings 9-16, highlighting the fulfillment of divine justice and the consequences of obedience and rebellion.
In this expository sermon, Chuck Smith delves into 2 Kings chapters 9 through 16, focusing on the prophetic anointing of Jehu and the unfolding of God's judgment upon Israel. He highlights the role of Elisha as a prophet and God's sovereign control over the kings and nations. Through detailed commentary, Smith reveals the spiritual lessons about obedience, judgment, and God's faithfulness to His word.
Text
Chapter nine.
Elisha is an extremely colorful character. And we are coming towards the end of the career of Elisha, a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. And Elisha commanded one of the young prophets to go to Jezreel and there to take a cruse of oil and call Jehu, who was a captain of the host of Israel, into another room secretly, and there anoint him with the oil to be king over Israel, and then get out of there as fast as you can. So this young man came to Jezreel where Jehu was sitting with a bunch of the officers and all. And he said, "I have a message for you, O Jehu." And Jehu said...or he said, "I have a message for you." And he said, "Which one of us?" And he said, "You." And he said, "Come into the other room." And so he went into the other room and he said, "Thus saith the Lord, He has anointed you to be king over Israel." And of course, to replace the house of Ahab and Jehoahaz who was a descendant of Ahab. And so he poured this cruse of oil over Jehu and then he took off. When Jehu came out with the rest of the officers, they said, "What in the world was that guy all about? Man, he was wild looking. What did he tell you?" And Jehu said, "He anointed me with oil and told me that I was going to be the king over Israel." And so the guys all took their coats out and they made this stairway. They had him stand at the top of the stairs and they put began to blow the trumpets and say, "Long live Jehu king," you know.
And so he said, "Now look, you guys, really serious about this, don\
Sermon Outline
-
I. The Anointing of Jehu
- Elisha commands the anointing of Jehu as king
- Jehu's secret anointing and proclamation
- The officers' recognition and celebration
-
II. Jehu's Mission and Judgment
- Jehu's charge to execute God's judgment
- The overthrow of Ahab's dynasty
- The purging of idolatry and evil
-
III. The Role of Prophecy in Israel's History
- Elisha's prophetic leadership
- Fulfillment of God's word through Jehu
- The consequences of obedience and rebellion
-
IV. Lessons from the Kings of Israel and Judah
- The faithfulness and failures of kings
- God's sovereignty over nations
- The importance of following God's commands
Key Quotes
“Elisha is an extremely colorful character.” — Chuck Smith
“Thus saith the Lord, He has anointed you to be king over Israel.” — Chuck Smith
“Long live Jehu king!” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Trust in God's sovereign plan even when it involves difficult judgment.
- Obey God's calling promptly as Jehu did to fulfill His purposes.
- Recognize the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jehu and why was he anointed king?
Jehu was a captain in Israel's army anointed by Elisha's command to become king and execute God's judgment on Ahab's house.
What was the significance of Jehu's anointing?
It marked God's sovereign choice to bring judgment and change leadership in Israel, fulfilling prophetic promises.
How does this passage demonstrate God's judgment?
God uses Jehu to punish idolatry and wickedness, showing that disobedience leads to consequences.
What role did Elisha play in these events?
Elisha acted as God's prophet, directing the anointing and guiding the fulfillment of God's will.
What lessons can modern believers learn from Jehu's story?
Believers learn about obedience to God's calling, the seriousness of sin, and trusting God's sovereign plan.