The Bloodshed of Jezreel
“Name him Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will punish the house of Jehu for the bloodshed of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel” (Hosea 1:4, 5).
When God instructed Hosea to name his son Jezreel, He also explained the reason, in the text above.
The events referred to as “the bloodshed of Jezreel” are in 2 Kings 9 and 10. Jehu was captain in the army of the northern 10-tribe kingdom. God instructed the Prophet Elisha to anoint him as the next king in place of Ahab. As he was being anointed, God ordered Jehu to destroy the house of Ahab, which he did by killing king Joram of Israel and his household. Jehu also kills Ahaziah king of Judah (2 Chronicles 22:2-12) and 42 of his brethren (2 Kings 10:11-17). Ahaziah was the nephew of Joram who had come to visit the king, wounded in a previous battle with an invading Syrian army (2 Kings 9:14).
When Jehu met Joram he explained why there could be no peace between them. “There is no peace as long as your mother Jezebel does many acts of prostitution and witchcraft. Joram turned the horses to run away. He said to Ahaziah, ‘It is a trick, Ahaziah!’ But Jehu grabbed his bow and shot Joram in the middle of his back, through the heart. Joram fell dead in his chariot” (2 Kings 9:22-24). Jehu then pursued King Azariah (of Judah) and also killed him.
Jehu then went to Jezreel to deal with Jezebel. After being pushed out the window by her eunuchs, Jezebel was trampled by horses and her body eaten by wild dogs. [1] Jehu went on to have all seventy sons of Ahab beheaded and his remaining family members killed. He next gathered the priests of Baal and its worshippers into the temple of Baal and had them slain with the sword.
JEHU’S INSINCERITY
“Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin — that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan. And the LORD said to Jehu, ‘Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.’ But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 10:28-31).
Despite obeying God’s command, Jehu was condemned for the bloodshed of Jezreel. The purpose of God’s command was to remove idolatry from Israel, not to clear one form of idolatry for another. The reason for God’s displeasure also related to the motivation of Jehu. His obedience was not from zeal for the Lord. Destroying the house of Ahab opened a door for his own ambition as he hungered for power. He now had divine authority to remove all opposition to his own throne. As he followed the letter of God’s command, there was a sense of cruelty in his methods.
Jehu, anointed, but not faithful
THE SINS OF JEROBOAM
The reason for God’s condemnation of Jehu stated that he “did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam.”
Jeroboam was the first king of the 10-tribe Northern kingdom. He lived 100 years before Jehu. Jeroboam had feared that Israelites traveling to worship in Jerusalem could potentially reunite the two kingdoms causing him to lose his throne. Consequently, he created an alternative place of worship and instituted sacrifices to two golden calves, one in Bethel, another in Dan (2 Kings 10:29). He then created new feasts that mimicked the feasts of Israel.
Jeroboam, who set up two images for worship.
Jeroboam’s sin was not only idolatry, but by instituting new feasts that occurred around the same time as those in Judah, he created a system of regular worship so the people would have no reason to worship in Jerusalem. He did this to maintain his own power. Selfish ambition took precedence over the worship of Israel’s only true God.
Now, some 100 years later, Jehu was blinded by the same selfish ambition of his predecessor. He seemed indifferent to the fact that God hates idolatry. The misguided ambitions of both men caused Israel to sin against God. Laws forbidding idolatry were also for the good of the people. These two men reneged their higher duties. Their choices brought much pain and suffering to the ones they were responsible for leading.
PERSONAL LESSONS
An important lesson from the foolish examples of these men reveals that individuals can have a profound influence on people. This is an important concept for the Lord’s people. Our words and lifestyles can have an impact on others. It is significant that all the Kings of the 10-tribe kingdom had a negative effect on the people. (See accompanying chart) It is little wonder they followed the path set by their leaders. The Apostle Paul recognized this when he wrote to young Timothy. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Another important lesson is even more personal. Obedience is the first step to pleasing God. But He is also interested in heart motives. The text says, “Jehu was not careful to walk in the Law of the Lord.” “It is evident his own religion was very superficial” (Joseph Benson). One’s commitment to God should never be superficial. Knowing that it is a great privilege and honor to serve God will find great acceptance with Him. This attitude always results in our own blessing. It makes service less burdensome and more joyful. “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26).
[1] For further details see, “Jezebel’s Death,” Beauties of the Truth, May 2005. Also, “Elijah, Ahab, Jezebel Related Anti-Types,” Beauties of the Truth, November 2011.