What happensPermalink
Elisha sends a young prophet to anoint Jehu, a commander in Israel’s army at Ramoth-gilead, as king. The soldiers quickly proclaim Jehu king, and he rides to Jezreel where King Joram of Israel is recovering from battle wounds. Joram and King Ahaziah of Judah go out to meet him, but Jehu kills both of them. Entering Jezreel, Jehu confronts Jezebel; at his command her own servants throw her from a window. Her body is devoured by dogs before it can be buried.
Why it mattersPermalink
Jehu’s revolt fulfills the word of the Lord spoken through Elijah. God had declared judgment on the house of Ahab for idolatry and for the murder of Naboth, and the downfall of Joram and Jezebel brings that judgment to pass. The chapter shows again that God’s purposes move forward through history—even through violent political upheaval—and His word is fulfilled exactly.
Key versePermalink
“This is the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘In the territory of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel…’”