5 Oct. 2 Kings 9:1-25

5 Oct. Jehu becomes King of Israel

“At the same time, Elisha the prophet called a man from the groups of prophets. Elisha said, ‘Get ready, and take this small bottle of olive oil in your hand. Go to Ramoth in Gilead. When you arrive, find Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi.’”

“’Go in and make Jehu get up from among his brothers, and take him to an inner room. Then take the bottle and pour the oil on Jehu’s head and say, “This is what the LORD says: I have appointed you king over Israel.” Then open the door and run away. Don’t wait!’”

“So the young man, the prophet, went to Ramoth in Gilead. When he arrived, he saw the officers of the army sitting together. He said, ‘Commander, I have a message for you.’ Jehu asked, ‘For which one of us?’ The young man said, ‘For you commander.’”

“Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the young prophet poured the olive oil on Jehu’s head and said to him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: “I have appointed you king over the LORD’s people Israel. You must destroy the family of Ahab your master.”…’ Then the young prophet opened the door and ran away.”

“So Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, made plans against Joram. Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth in Gilead from Hazael king of Aram. But King Joram had to return to Jezreel to heal from the injuries the Arameans had given him when he fought against Hazael king of Aram.”

“Jehu said [to the other commanders], ‘If you agree with this, don’t let anyone leave the city. They might tell the news in Jezreel.’ Then he got into his chariot and set out for Jezreel, where Joram was resting. Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to see him.”

“The look-out was standing on the watchtower in Jezreel when he saw Jehu’s troops coming. He said, ‘I see some soldiers!’ Joram said, ‘Take a horseman and send him to meet them. Tell him to ask, “Is all in order?”’ The horseman rode out to meet Jehu, and he said, ‘This is what the king says, “Is all in order?”’ Jehu said, ‘Why bother yourself with order? Come along behind me.’ The look-out reported, ‘The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.’”

“Then Joram sent out a second horseman… The look-out reported, ‘The second man reached them, but he is not coming back. The man in the chariot is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi. He drives as if he were mad!’”

“Joram said, ‘Get my chariot ready.’ Then the servant got Joram’s chariot ready. Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. When Joram saw Jehu, he said, ‘Is all in order, Jehu?’ Jehu answered, ‘There will never be any order as long as your mother Jezebel worships idols and uses witchcraft.’”

“Joram turned the horses to run away and yelled to Ahariah, ‘It’s a trick, Azariah!’ Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between his shoulders. The arrow went through Joram’s heart, and he fell down in his chariot. Jehu ordered Bidkar, his chariot officer, ‘Pick up Joram’s body, and throw it into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite.’”

(2 Kings 9:1-25)

Jehu, one of King Joram’s commanders, (who had previously been anointed by Elijah - see 1 Kings 19:16) was secretly anointed King of Israel at Ramoth Gilead by a young prophet on the orders of Elisha.

Jehu told some of the other officers that he had been anointed king of Israel, and they took off their coats to form a carpet on the staircase. “They blew the trumpet and shouted, ‘Jehu is king!’” (2 Kings 9:13)

Jehu told them not to let anyone know of his plan, and then drove his chariot to Jezreel “as if he were mad!” (2 Kings 9:20). He won over the messengers who were sent out of the city to greet him, and Jehu then confronted King Joram over the idolatry and witchcraft brought to Israel by his mother Jezebel.

Joram realised he had fallen into a trap, and as he tried to escape, Jehu killed him. Jehu then ordered that Joram’s body should be dumped in Naboth's vineyard at Jezreel as just punishment for his father Ahab and his mother Jezebel’s murder of Naboth in order to seize his vineyard. (see 1 Kings 21:1-24).

Jehu then pursued King Ahaziah of Judah. He wounded him near Gur and Ahaziah died at Megiddo (see 2 Kings 9:27-28).

The photo (by ×’×‘×¢×ª_××¨× ×•×Ÿ) shows the Gilead Mountains & the Jordan Valley overlooking Arnon Hill.